2006-date

NHS Connecting for Health - National Access Control Reference Group - Manager

This group was established by the Department of Health to define national access control policy. This required developing new processes and guidance as well as facilitating a national consultation process through regional access control groups. Currently developing a simplified access control model in consultation with advisory bodies such as the British Medical Association National Advisory Group.

2005-date

NHS Connecting for Health - Information Governance Team - Consultant

Based in the Technical Office supporting the development of the National Role Based Access Control (RBAC) Database in consultation with the Service, Solution Providers and technical architects and cluster IG leads. Work undertaken included replacing the existing database with a more user-friendly version which has integrated decision support tools. Also specified new tools for managing RBAC attributes in the live Spine environment. Developed a number of guidance documents including a novel interactive RBAC knowledge map. Led access control baseline development work, including the definition of the Mental Health baseline.

2004-2005

5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust – Registration Authority – Project Manager

Managed the setup of the Registration Authority for the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust which required working across departments to map business processes and develop new policies, procedures and guidelines. Trained as a Registration Authority Agent and registered staff with smartcards. Ran workshops on Role Based Access Control using a custom developed spreadsheet model.

2003

Philips Lighting UK – Knowledge Audit Training and Consultancy – Consultant

Provided training and consultancy in use of Structural Knowledge Auditing methodology and software tool.

2003

BAE Systems – Knowledge Audit – Project Manager

Projected managed a knowledge audit assessing how to disseminate and transfer best practice know–how of continuous improvement from the Eurofighter project across their site at Samlesbury.

2003

Pfizer – Knowledge Mapping Seminar – Consultant

Gave a seminar on the knowledge mapping to a team of senior managers within Pfizer.

2001-2002

Singapore Government – Lift Diagnostic System – Project Manager

Development of a sophisticated knowledge based system for identifying and advising on faults associated with large a scale building management system for a group of government office blocks in Singapore. The project was delivered under contract to Servelec, a leading UK systems integrator.

2001-2002

Bombardier Transportation – Engineering Configuration System – Principal Consultant

Provided training and consultancy for the development of a knowledge based system for producing faster and more consistent train builds in response to customer sales inquiries.

2001-2002

National Air Traffic Services – COPICAT Prototype – Project Manager

Development of COGSYS Pilot Change Assessment Tool (COPICAT) which used a range of AI techniques behind a web–based front–end for assisting the change assessment team to quickly and consistently consider the implications of system change requests. The target control system for which change requests are generated is the New EnRoute Centre (NERC) in Swanwick.

2001-2002

South West Water – ODESSY Implementation – Project Manager

Following a successful feasibility study (see next project) we secured the contract to implement an Operational Decision Support System (ODESSY) using a knowledge based systems approach. Objectives were to the maintain security of water supply in the Cornwall peninsula whilst reducing costs. Worked in partnership with Iconics a specialist automation vendor.

2001

South West Water – ODESSY Feasibility Study – Principal Consultant

This project assessed the feasibility of capturing and automating the operational knowledge, the ease of integration using OPC (OLE for Process Control) and OLE–DB, and the likely performance issues based on a partial simulation of the main Data Server component of the proposed solution. Detailed pricing and time–scales were provided for the implementation phase (see previous project). Worked in partnership with Iconics a specialist automation vendor.

2001-2002

Aylesford Newsprint – Water Balance System – Project Manager

Phased project to provide an on–line knowledge based decision support system to assist operators in reducing effluent water discharges. The system is integrated into the main plant control systems via a third–party database. Initial phases covered feasibility and a communications test. The final implementation phase included knowledge engineering and systems integration.

2001

United Utilities – Bulk Chlorine Training Simulation – Project Manager

Based on Site Digestion Simulation (see next) this project was concerned with developing an intelligent instruction system for training operators in taking deliveries of bulk chlorine, and in particular to manage emergency scenarios. It used a knowledge base to define flexible training scenarios that the operator responds to and is assessed against. We developed this application such that the underlying components could be easily re–used and therefore exploited in other similar projects.

2000-2001

United Utilities – Site Digestion Simulation – Project Manager

Development of a graphical simulation of sludge digestors to enable new operators to become familiar with the process in terms of equipment, site layout and operating/maintenance procedures. It was developed as a custom application using Visual Basic.

2000

RAC – Intelligent Help Desk Feasibility Study – Project Manager

RAC Accident Management Services provide management of accidents on behalf of major insurance companies. These services are based on individual insurance rules. The RAC is responsible for ensuring that calls from drivers of damaged vehicles are handled efficiently in line with these rules. Our scope included the production of a report on the feasibility of improving accident management systems by integrating business rules behind the help desk interfaces to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of telephone inquiries. Worked in partnership with the Innovations Group a systems integrator specialising in the motor insurance sector.

2000-2001

Advantica – RegDoctor Rewrite – Project Manager

Complete re–write of a DOS–based program that provides diagnostic test facilities for gas governors. The program was written in a combination of C++ and OLE–dB This project was undertaken in 2 phases, an initial feasibility study to assess technical feasibility and cost, followed by the main implementation phase.

1999-2001

The Innovations Group – Maxima – Project Manager

We exploited the results of the ENTICE project (see later) within vehicle body repair shops via our partner TIG (The Innovations Group) as a new product called Maxima. The project involved the development of a generic finite capacity scheduling engine and database and a customised interface to support data entry and management of tasks associated with repairing vehicles. The solution was called Maxima and was used by workshop managers to reduce scheduling time, improve utilisation and increase throughput.

1999-2001

United Utilities – Bolton Sewer Control System Prototype – Project Manager

We provided support to the development of a knowledge based real–time control system for the Bolton area sewer network. Our scope of supply included making a number of enhancements to our graphical expert system product. I also provided training and consultancy. The system went live in June 2001 and it has already highlighted the potential to reduce the size of new retention tanks by about 50%, which would provide major capital costs savings. This project was delivered under contract to Instem Computer Systems (now called Capula), a systems integrator specialising in the utility and nuclear sectors.

1998

MTRC – DSS Translation Methodology Project – Senior Consultant

We developed a problem solving approach based on the CORE (Controlled Requirements Expression) methodology to assist the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) of Hong Kong to develop a Decision Support System for handling emergency situations. This project formed part of a new project to implement a Station Management System for integrating existing computer systems and signaling equipment within a single coherent operator interface. I hosted a 2–day workshop in Hong Kong to train their engineers to use the approach. This project gave rise to a spin–off product called COGSYS EnCORE that is a general purpose, user requirements capture methodology and process modeling toolkit.

1998-2002

Grant – Portable Expert Systems – Project Manager

This was an ECSC–funded project undertaken in partnership with Corus to investigate the potential of using portable (i.e. laptop or radio–LAN based) expert systems to assist in maintenance activities on steel rolling mills. We undertook an extensive amount of prototyping and provided consultancy support to the Corus test site.

1998-1999

Grant – ENTICE Project – Project Manager

We worked with Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC) to integrate fast numerical algorithms (for optimisation of scheduling problems) into an expert system in order to address a range of common but computationally expensive scheduling problems. Three manufacturing companies provided demanding and realistic test–site applications addressing materials allocation and overall production scheduling. This project led to the development of a generic scheduling product for vehicle body repair shops called Maxima (see earlier).

1997-2001

Yorkshire Water – Filter Management – Project Manager

Phased development of a sophisticated mathematical model for improving operation of rapid gravity filters in Water Treatment Works (WTWs). A first principal's dynamic model was developed and used to characterise the performance of individual filter beds. It was also used to predict the behaviour of banks of filters using a hydraulic model. As well as providing major benefits in terms of managing the risk of cryptosporidium breakthrough, it could be used to reduce capital costs by identifying and enabling poorly performing works to be closed. Initial phases addressed feasibility, research and prototyping. This led to a number of implementation phases, culminating in the first installation of a live system on a major WTW in August 2001. We signed an exploitation agreement with Yorkshire Water to exploit this development as a product called COGSYS H₂O_K.

1995-1996

BHP Steels – Smart Alarm Analysis Module – Project Manager

Development of fuzzy pattern matching software tools for recognising related alarms from within alarm floods generated on the Port Kembla blast furnace, integrated directly into the site control system. The project was delivered in partnership with ABB (leading global process automation company) and a local specialist systems integrator.

1994

NTL – Astra Satellite Transmission Chain Consultancy – Senior Consultant

Developed a proposal for an expert system based alarm filtering and diagnostics integrated with the network management system.

1994

AWE Aldermaston – Alarm Filtering Consultancy – Senior Consultant

Provision of consultancy to assist AWE with the development of alarm filtering and diagnostic applications.

1994

BGE&P – Onshore Training Simulator – Project Manager

The Barrow onshore CO₂ removal plant training simulator comprises a high fidelity real–time of the CO₂ removal, a graphical emulation of the control system and an expert system based instructor's package.

1994-1997

Grant – CAKE Project – Senior Consultant

Provision of technical support and consultancy to the test sites for the CAKE (Computer Aided Knowledge Engineering) project. The main outcomes of this project were new graphical development environments for expert systems based on rules and fish–bone or Ishikawa diagrams. As a result of the success in reducing costs on a ladle arc furnace in Teesside, Corus have adopted a similar approach on other plants.

1993-1994

British Steel Teesside – QPS Requirements Analysis – Senior Consultant

Development of a User Requirement Specification (URS) for a Quality Prediction System, based on the Avesta QPS (see later).

1993-1995

BP Grangemouth – Support Contracts – Senior Consultant

Consultancy support to BP Grangemouth in development of intelligent interfaces for polythene recycling plant and other processes. Involved application of expert systems and a graphical interface tool for development of alarm diagnostics and plant mimics.

1993

BT – Workforce Simulator – Senior Consultant

Development of a workforce simulator using a discrete event simulation approach. The system was rolled out to allow testing and tuning of BT's WMS (Workforce Management System).

1993

British Gas West Midlands and Southern – RMS Specification – Senior Consultant

Development of a specification for a Radio Management System based on the system developed for British Gas Telecomms Services in the North West.

1993-1994

BGE&P – Offshore Training Simulator – Project Manager

The North Morecambe offshore gas platform training simulator comprises a gas platform simulation, a similar graphical emulation and an expert system based instructor's package to the onshore project described earlier.

1993

BGE&P – ARMADA Consultancy – Senior Consultant

An investigation into potential real–time expert system applications for the ARMADA offshore gas platform. Produced a report identifying several areas where cost and safety benefits could be achieved via integration of a real–time expert system with the platform control system..

1992-1994

British Gas Telecomms Services – RMS – Project Manager

The Radio Management System (RMS) provides sophisticated expert system diagnostics and call monitoring system for Nokia PMR (Private Mobile Radio) systems via an intuitive graphical interface. This system was subsequently sold to a number of companies, including Scottish Ambulance and London Underground in partnership with Nokia.

1992-1993

British Gas Research & Technology – Cost Benefit Analysis – Senior Consultant

Cost benefit analysis into the use of real–time expert systems off–shore. Required numerous client meetings to identify suitable applications.

1992-1993

Avesta Sheffield – Neural Networks – Project Manager

A phased project that investigated the application of neural networks to the manufacture of stainless steel culminated in an on–line data analysis system providing neural network input into the Avesta QPS (see later). We used a neural network package to investigate 3 main architectures, including a standard back propagation network, a Kohonen network and a predictive recursive network. The finished Kohonen network was integrated directly in the QPS via an API (Application Programming Interface) written in C.

1992-1994

Avesta Sheffield – Quality Prediction System – Project Manager

The Quality Prediction System (QPS) provided an automated method of collecting data during the casting of stainless steel and then generating a complete quality report on the steel produced. This project automated the process and increased the accuracy of the report significantly. The QPS was programmed at a high level using an expert system approach allowing the plant metallurgist to extend the knowledge base as he gained more experience about the production factors affecting quality.

1990

ICI Pharmaceuticals – Training Simulator – Senior Consultant

Developed a training simulator for a pharmaceutical process comprising of an expert system based instruction module and a dynamic graphical interface.

1990

Cogsys Ltd - Business Startup - Technical Manager

Initially seconded from British Gas I took a leading role in the business startup, providing the lead technical input into the business plan and initial sales and marketing activities.

1987-1990

British Gas plc - COGSYS Club Project - Team Leader

British Gas was one of 35 companies involved in a major collaborative project to develop commercial real-time expert systems software. The project was privately financed with software development undertaken by EDS and managed through technical and steering committees. I sat on the technical committee and also contributed to and managed the test site development activities at British Gas. The project culminated in demonstrations of the prototype software applications on working process plant which were sufficiently encouraging to convince British Gas to take a venture capital stake in the spinout company - Cogsys Limited.