Personal Details

Nationality:        British

Marital Status:   Single 

Profile Summary

I have spent most of my professional career developing software applications in a Windows PC environment. I have a broad range of experience and I have worked for a number of companies in different industries and I have delivered working solutions to all my employers. I have over 10-years of experience in Software development, focusing on all aspects GUI development and related components.

My strongest attributes are to provide working solutions on all aspects of a project life cycle. I am enthusiastic and conscientious about evaluating and solving technical issues and I have a built up a good base of source code which I use to provide rapid project development.

Technically, I specialise in writing software in VC++, MFC and COM and I have extensive experience in a number of third party controls and SDK’s. I have recent experience with PC based Bluetooth technology and communicating to mobile phone through AT commands.

Summary of Technical Capabilities

·         Operating System. MS-Windows Versions 3.1, 3.11, 95, 98. NT3.51, NT4.0, 2000, XP, 64-bit.

·         Methodologies: UML, OOD, GDPro.

·         Languages: MSVC++ Versions (1.51, 4.0. 5.0, 6.0, 7.0), MS Visual Basic Versions (3.0, 4.0, 5.0).

·         7 years of MFC and ActiveX experience. Dot Net, C#. XML. All versions of Visual Studio.

·         Database: SQL 6.5, 2000, Access (Ver. 2.0, 97, 2003)

·         Software: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Access) Versions 4.0 to 2003

·         Other: Stingray Objective Grid. Boundschecker, MS Installshield, MS SourceSafe. Mathematica MathCAD (ver3.0, 4.0).  Purify 6.0.  Widcomm SDK (Bluetooth), Windows SDK.

·         Courses attended: CTec C language course.  (Object training) COM development course.

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Education

MSc in Industrial Applied Mathematics

1992-93 University Of Southampton

BSc (Hons.)  Degree in Mathematics

1987-90 University Of Manchester

A‘Levels in Maths , Further Maths , Economics

O'Levels in 10 O'Levels including Maths and English

1981-87 Eaglesfield School, London

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Employment History

Company: [snip] Date:  July 2004

[snip] is an independent production company that was commissioned to produce and web based sound application for the department of Education.

·  I was required to write an installation program in Installshield 5.0 Express from scratch.

·  I found and utilised image-file compression tools to minimise the size of the installation package.

·  Consultancy was provided to the client on the full version of Installshield for future projects. 

Company: [snip] Date:  June2002 to July 2004

[snip] is a subsidiary of [snip] with a wide range of wired and wireless communications products. [snip] Systems Europe is a market leader in Bluetooth adaptors. I was a senior software developer within the R&D department and I worked on number of commercially released PC based applications that connected to mobile phones.

·         I wrote an application called Pairing Wizard that paired two Bluetooth devices. It was designed to make Bluetooth pairing simple for non technical users. I utilised the Widcomm SDK and wrote the application in VC++ 6.0. I had ownership of this application during my time at [snip] Systems and several redesigns and builds were made, all were commercially delivered.

·         I researched and designed an application to synchronise Calendar feature of MS-Outlook with Calendar feature on Mobile phones. This required linking third party Bluetooth stack to a COM component, which I extended from base source code from another application. I was also required to update MS Outlook with additional buttons and menu’s to invoke Synchronisation features.

·         I wrote an application called Wireless Data Manager. The application made a RAS connection to a mobile phone via Bluetooth, Infra Red and Cable. The application was designed to automatically make a GPRS, GSM or HSCD connection based on a set of user defined rules. The application was a managed VC++ project under Dot Net Studio 2003. I utilised the Widcomm SDK and parts of Microsoft SDK. The application heavily utilised AT command protocol as used by most of the major Bluetooth mobile phones on the market. The project was initially developed by the whole software team and I eventually took ownership of the project. The application was marketed to Vodafone, Dutch KPN and several other major mobile phone services vendors.

·         I customised a Widcomm Bluetooth Stack Installation program. This required heavily customising a complex Installshield project. I became a proficient user of Installshield 7.0 and 8.0. Several customised projects were commercially delivered.

·         I was involved in the development and upgrades of a project called Content Manager. This application pushed content (Ring tones, pictures, videos etc.) from a PC onto a mobile phone via Bluetooth. I took development ownership of the project after the first release and was responsible for delivering 2 commercially released versions. The application was written in VC++, it utilised FTP profile using OBEX object push, the DUN profile and the Widcomm SDK.

·         Through most of the projects I worked on at [snip] I utilised the Widcomm Bluetooth Stack and became familiar with many of the profiles available for mobile devices. This familiarity was at programming level and I dealt with Widcomm directly with regards to many technical issues. 

Re-training Date: October 2001 to May 2002

·              I wrote a stand alone application in C# using a beta version of dot net. The application accessed a SQL (2000) database via a COM object. The application stored and displayed data related to music CD’s and DVD’s

·              I worked through Wrox Professional C# book, going through the chapters of language basics of C#.  I became familiar with the basic language and class constructs in C#. I wrote a grid based application in C# that utilised an XML dataset 

Company: Hitachi Europe Limited. Date: October 2000 to April 2001.

I worked for the R&D department of Hitachi Japan on a project called Internet Marks. This project inserted a “watermark” onto a webpage. This was basically a graphical image with an embedded code in the image. The aim of the project was to sell technology developed in the R&D of Hitachi Japan to European clients. I was hired to create a suite of demo program to demonstrate the technology.

·         I worked on full life cycle of demo application written in VC++ 6.0 under Windows NT and 98.

·         COM technology and Windows SDK was heavily utilised, including IWebbrowser2 and IHTMLDocument2 Interfaces. Fully controlled all Internet Explorer Object events. Researched usefulness of Helper Object functionality.

·         I was created a series of HTML documents for the demo.

·         The main app linked to a DLL that called on routines that 'generated' and 'extracted' Internet Watermarks. Watermarks are standard image files (jpg, bmp etc.) that have encrypted digital data embedded into them.

·         I had to create a GUI Interface to pass in and display the embedded data.

·         A fully automated version of the program was delivered and it was demoed at Ceibit 2001 and 2002.

·         I developed utilisation of the PICS standards for filtering Web pages.

·         A major part of the project was to create a business and communication link between the R&D dept in Japan and the Sales dept in the UK. I was actively involved in that effort. 

Company: Siemens Building Technology. Sydney, Australia. Date: February 2000 to March 2000.

This was my second stint at Siemens and I was required for further develop components I had previously written.

·         Upgrades, bug fixing and documentation for component of building security project I developed. 

Company: EDS. Sydney, Australia. Date: November 1999 to January 2000.

This was my second stint at EDS Australia. I was required to upgrade existing Middleware component of Internet banking project. The application, BBOB, was a browser based version of the application I previously worked on.

·         I worked from script specifications defined by project team.

·         The component was a COM object coded in VC++ 6.0 under Windows NT 4.0. 

Company: Siemens Building Technology. Sydney. Date: February 1999 to November 1999.

Siemens Building Technology are a subsidiary of Siemens and specialise in building security systems. The company provided complete hardware and software systems for all aspects of building security. I was recruited to design and write a component that was came from a specific customer requirement.

·         I worked on Full life cycle for a component application of a client/server building security system.

·         I wrote functional and design specifications and created sample apps in VB to aid design.

·         Coding done in VC++ 6.0 under Windows NT 4.0. Interfacing to an in-house COM object. All code resided in an extension DLL. The COM component connected to SQL (v6.5) database.

·         I evaluated and used third-party components. Namely, MFC ActiveX controls and Stingray Objective Grid. This required solving compatibility issues

·         I wrote test scripts and programs for multiple operating systems.

·         I was required to debug external components in other part of client/server system. Debugging was done using third party tools, for memory leaks we used Purify 6.0.

·         I worked in team environment, but I had sole ownership of component I worked on. This also involved communicating with business and technical managers to discuss design, technical and cost issues. Full documentation of component. 

Company: BICC Communications Limited, Helsby, UK. Date: April 1998 to October 1998.

BICC Communications are mainline electricity cable manufacturer. The company has a large R&D department and I was involved in a project called BASS which was related to a research project on current flow around cables on pylons.

·         Upgrade of semiconductor analysis application. Additional functionality added to application.

·         Visual C++ 5.0 and tools from MS Visual Studio 97. Active-X and MFC controls utilised.

·         Designing code structure using OOD techniques. Emphasis on reusable code modules.

·         Full control of GUI and full life cycle of project. I worked independently off site.

·         Creation of a file system (new open, save etc.) to manage application data. System had to be backward compatible with old data files. Help files integrated into application. 

Company: Commonwealth Bank, EDS, Sydney, Australia. Date: September 1997 to February 1998.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia are one of the four major commercial banks in Australia. I worked in the internet banking division. I was a part of a 20 strong team that developed the first version of their internet banking application, NetBank.

·         GUI interface of Internet banking project. client/server application.

·         Linking to Middleware component. VC++ 4.01 under Windows NT 4.0.

·         Writing and executing test scripts and debugging resulting bugs.

·         Working in close team environment. 

Company:  Banctec, London. Date: March 1996 to June 1996.

Banctec are a financial software house. One of their major customers is the Nat West bank. My main project, Faxserver, was an application that sent a large volume of faxes to various branches from a central server.

·         VB module (developed from a spec) used to Integrate of several independent systems.

·         Data stored in an Informix database was accessed using VBX custom controls.

·         Application sent graphical fax files to a communications service provider.

·         A Comms package (PDQ Comm) was used to link to an X.25 (Eicom) card.

·         The files were transferred using the Z-modem protocol and in the development version of the program I was required to use a modem.

·         The communications part of the program required linking several layers of software that included several drivers for the X.25 card.  I was required to link two PC’s back to back each containing an X.25 card.  I became familiar with communications and file transfer protocol and with setting up of parameters for the X.25 card.

·         The final version of the program was on-line and processed data at real time.

·         Timer custom controls from a third party VB software vendor were also utilised.  

Company:  Ea. Technology, Chester. Date:  September 1993 to December 1996

Ea Technology was the research centre for the electricity industry in the days of nationalisation. On privatisation it became and independent research company over wholly by the 12 electricity boards in the UK. I started work at Ea through an industrial placement on my master course. I worked as a freelance software developer on a number of projects over a 4 year period.

Project: PADAC (I & II) Date: September 1996 to December 1996

·              Design tool to analyse automated switch positions on an electricity network.

·              Translate functional spec. to working stand-alone 16 bit Windows application.

·              MSVC++ ver 1.51 on both Windows 3.11 and Windows 95.

·              Modular program structure with calculation and data manipulation routines written in C.

·              GUI was object orientated in structure and was written in VC++ utilising MFC.

·              MKS Source Integrity, Boundschecker and Installshield were utilised.

·              Development version of the program was successfully delivered to the customer.

Project:  eaTSCap Date: March 1996 to June 1996

·              Visual Basic GUI for an overhead line semiconductor analysis program

·              The GUI was linked to a DLL, which performed the calculations

·              Developed under the Windows 95 and Windows 3.11. using Visual Basic 3.0

·              Full life cycle of application. Starting from strict technical specifications of input and output data

·              Fully working version of application was delivered to customer

 Project:  AFFIDS. Date: September 1995 to January 1996

·              Fault diagnoses application for electricity networks.

·              I was required to write and develop modules for a part of a much bigger project.  This required working closely with several other people and working

                  from strict specifications.

·              The code was written in C using MSVC++ (v1.51). and resided  in  DLL's.

·              The DLL's were linked to a calling program written in Visual Basic. 

·              Test programs were written in both languages to overcome deficiencies in existing debuggers.

·              I also became familiar with the writing of DLL's to link Visual Basic programs to Fortran programs.

·              I was required to develop certain mathematical aspects of the fault diagnoses model.  This was related to analysing cycles of data representing.

                  current and voltage levels. The models required the manipulation of large amounts of data directly from the computer memory via pointer structures.

Project:  LOE Date: August 1995 to September 1995

·              Data manipulation application. Working from strict specifications.

·              The code was written in C using MSVC++ (v1.51). the code resided  in  DLL's.

Project:  Use of AI techniques in the electricity Industry Date: June 1995

·              I attended a seminar on use of artificial intelligence techniques in the electricity industry and was required to write a report on the presentations and

discussions.  The report was used in part to determine the viability of currently available techniques to aid problems in on going projects within the

company.

Project:  SCTDISH. Joint Project with Scottish Hydro Date: January 1995 to February 1995

·              The package developed in this project linked a Windows GUI to an Access database. 

·              The use of standard SQL commands via Visual Basic was made. 

·              Visual Basic 3.0 and Access 2.0 were used under Windows 3.11.

·              GUI allowed users to manipulate a database that was remotely located on the network. The database was continuously updated via a serial port

                  communications link.

·              A network 'read-only' version of the program was also written and could be used by a multiple number of users. The project required close

                  communication with the customers to develop specific tools for individual needs.

Project:  TRANSCAP (I-III).  Joint Project with Midlands Electricity Date: August 1994 to June 1995

·              A mathematical modelling application providing a thermal analysis of electricity transformers.

·              The model required the solving of a first order ODE using numerical techniques.  I was required to develop certain aspects of the model and to write a

                  software implementation of the complete model in a Windows orientated language.  This required translating certain parts of existing Fortran code.

·              Extensive testing and analysis of the mathematical results of the program had to be made. 

·              The final version of the program was ‘on-line’ and required the analysis of alarm data that was received from a network via a serial port

                  communication link.

·              The application also utilised the DDE tools in Visual Basic to create a client-server link with a 'server' program.  The 'server' program was written by

                  the customers and was linked to the SCADA database system. The database was located on a part of the customer’s network and a variety of network

                  issues had to be resolved. 

·              The project required working closely with a team of people from several departments and companies.

·              Extensive use of MS-Excel 4.0 package was made to analyse the results from the program.  MS-PowerPoint and MSWord were used in the writing of

                  reports describing the program. A successfully implemented version of the program was delivered to the clients.

Project:  PURL. Date: November 1994 to March 1995

·              Application for analysing data obtained from equipment developed to detect rot in wooden beams. The application developed, utilised an existing and

 well-tested mathematical model.

·              Visual Basic 3.0 under Windows 3.11. Application required substantial implementation of graphical tools. Printing tools were also created using

 standard Windows drivers.

·              Application was successfully delivered to the customers together with documentation.

Project:  CABRAT (I, II & III). Date:  September 1993 to June 1994

·              This project required the translation of technical guidelines into a user friendly software package.  The project was started as a part of my Msc work

placement and I was subsequently contracted to finish the project.

·               The package was written in Visual Basic 3.0 under Windows 3.11.

·              A high level of development using the graphical tools available in Visual Basic 3.0 was made.  The mathematical content of the project required a

                  thorough understanding of IEC guidelines on current rating of cables.  A detailed thermal analysis of heat generation and dissipation within the cable

and the surrounding medium was required.

·              MS-Excel 4.0 package was used to analyse data from field experiments and data from the program.  MS-PowerPoint and MSWord were used in the

writing of reports describing the program and its results. 

Interests

·              I am a keen sportsman and have played competitive squash for various teams.  I have regularly played a variety of other sports including tennis, cricket,

football (in various teams), badminton, sailing, judo, hockey, hiking and swimming.  I have also organised activities for various teams that I have been involved with and have contributed to newsletters by writing articles about various sporting events

·              I enjoy music and can play various instruments.  I have been a member of an orchestra and a band

·              I have travelled extensively around the world.  I have also worked in some of the countries I have travelled through

·              I hold a clean current driving license 

References