This has involved creating a parallel environment based on the use of Virtual Machine technology (VMWare Server) at a separate location. This allows the use of far fewer physical servers, and provides an environment in which fast and progressive recovery of production services is possible.

 

I have installed and commissioned significant upgrades to the Randall-Lyons Swordfish system. This is now interfaced into the Portal development and to the Room Solutions Subscribe product. The Interoperability module is to be added to allow the DRI based document interchange that will be a key part to the processes in the London insurance market in future.

 

Intranet Portal development
There is now extensive availability of open source software such as DotNetNuke for backing these developments. I can set these up, making full use of the wide range of supporting low cost add-ins, and tailor them for use in most environments. Additional work to integrate with existing web-based systems is normally straightforward, and additional bespoke ASP.Net development can be undertaken to interface with local SQL Server and other databases.

Lloyd's Agency Compliance Monitoring System
This is a potentially a general purpose task monitoring system, but is currently configured for the needs of a Lloyd's of London Underwriting Agency. Tasks corresponding to the needs of the agency and Lloyd's are defined by the Compliance Officer and allocated to individuals or groups. There is then a lot of options for monitoring and escalating these tasks. Register as a user using the link on the top right of this page, and this will allow you to use a mechanism to try out the system.

Soundfederation
Music, sound effects and voice samples ready for use in web pages. Where these are not enough, a bespoke service is available with full music production facilities, and the services of some of the UK's top sound designers.

Within this project I have used various techniques to create innovative and practical solutions to tactical problems, involving integration of e-mail messaging with SQL Server databases using Visual Basic, and data extraction from the web.

Web site development
DeVere Yarns and The Humphries Weaving Company Ltd. are 2 relatively straightforward sites relating to the UK's sole surviving production handloom silk weaving company.

Stocktaking support
Originally developed for pubs and clubs, and extended to larger multi-bar premises such as hotels. The system has been successfully used for everything from small sandwich bars to some of the largest hotel chains in the UK.

Data conversion
I have been involved in many conversion exercises, most recently at Advent Underwriting, converting from the Rebus Lines/AS and Olympic VW2 system to Room's Subscribe and Exact products.

Implementation
This is the other side of the data conversion projects - making the systems run in the way that is needed for the business, and correctly processing the converted data. At Advent, I project managed the live syndicate conversion to Room's Subscribe and Exact products. Room's data warehouse was implemented using their Analytics and ProClarity products. This was enhanced through the addition of an in-house developed reporting system which is now being converted to Microsoft Reporting Services.