I am a Business Systems Engineer.  This means that I consult with a client to determine their needs on a very wide range of functions, devise solutions that will together meet the needs, and direct a small team of specialists to implement them.  With my widely varied experience to draw upon, solutions can include aspects that are normally "outside" the area generally thought of as "IT".

I have some 30+ years’ experience with microcomputers.  I have a technicians' certificate in electronics design (NZCS, physics / electronics) and have completed part of a degree in Electrical Engineering.  I worked for DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and Solid State Electronics during the 1970s.

Apart from DSIR and Solid State Electronics, I have almost continuously been self employed in various businesses that have all involved development, and at times, research.  Most of the projects I have taken on have been technically innovative and challenging.  My interest in microcomputers began on 1971, while I was a technician at DSIR, when the first microcomputer arrived for evaluation.  In 1976 I designed my first microcomputer main-board and subsequently wrote 3 operating systems for microcomputers, using an assembler that operated literally at machine code level – it was not symbolic in any way.  I designed a polled network that allowed up to 100 microcomputers to be networked together, and included multi-tasking on MSDOS 2.0 in 1984.  I moved from mainly industrial applications to focus on commercial applications (mainly based around Sybiz) in 1986 and wrote the "Crusader" business management system (which includes accounts and some minor aspects of CRM) from 1990 onwards.  This system is still in use by more than 30 companies on 8 sites in Auckland and Waikato.

I can program in Visual Basic but have not done so for a while, as my primary development work has been with languages specific to Crusader, hosted on the D3 multi-dimensional database.  My role is rapidly becoming more that of a consultant, with emphasis on systems integration, as other people are increasingly taking over the "nuts and bolts" stuff.  This involves co-ordinating a small team of independent contractors to achieve results that we could not achieve as individuals.

I am currently working towards being primarily involved with promoting, supporting and "evolving" the products and services provided by an associate's company - XSOL.  This is a relatively new and expanding field that generally comes under the title of "Business Process Management".  I believe that XSOL are the front-runners in this field, and am very pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with them.

For further information, visit http://www.amba.co.nz.