Medebys Gård 809 

624 56 Lärbro

Sweden

Phone +46 (0) 498 22 58 14

Mobile (GSM): +44 (0) 7801 55 20 04

E-Mail andrew.arblaster@ttsservices.co.uk

Degrees: Mathematics/Computing, Psychology

Languages: English, Dutch, German

An effective, versatile, innovative, practical person offering extensive experience in project management, consultancy and in highly advanced software techniques. Strong technical background includes systems programming, real time, computer aided design software for integrated circuits (IC/CAD), object oriented design and programming (OOD/P), graphical user interface (GUI) design, user interface (UI) research, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications to real industrial problems.

Significant management experience gained with major European and US high technology multinationals.

Industrial Courses in HOOD, Object Oriented Design (University of Ghent), Socket Programming (IBM), ClearCase (Alcatel)

Principal Consultant, TTS International August 1987 - Present

(Partner in Company)

Provided consultancy on a wide variety of projects for many multinational client companies. Consultancy projects are listed separately below.

November 2005 - present

BSkyB, London, United Kingdom. Working on the programming of set-top boxes.

January 2003 to December 2004

BBC, London, United Kingdom and Oulu, Finland. Working on programming for web radio applications.

Work for Philips Medical Systems, Hamburg, Germany on the Software Architecture for a new type of X-Ray digital reader and analysis software, including archiving and DICOM connection. Software design using UML and Rational Rose, prototyping using Java (Jbuilder IDE). Set up configuration management for the project using ClearCase.

Work for Factor-e, the software design and implementation group for First-e internet bank in Dublin, Ireland. Worked on requirements analysis and design for the future French service of First-e, using Catalysis Object-Oriented development methodology in UML, with Rational Rose as design tool. Developed type models and UML designs for Customer Service, Auditing and Banking Operations. Worked on new software architecture using Java front end and Enterprise JavaBeans as middleware, Oracle DBMS database. Was the Release Engineer in charge of configuration management and integration using PVCS. The system is based on a server complex connected by LAN, working with NT and Solaris, with Firewall and connection to Internet for clients. Used MS Word with SoDA templates for documentation of architecture and design, MS Excel for documenting and calculating relations between phases of the project.

Work for IBM Research Centre, Hursley, England. Work on Corba 4-level architecture, design and implementation of server software to produce a Digital Teletext system (teletext for Digital TVs), using Visibroker Corba with C++ for server production, with a multithreaded server architecture. Help with GUI production, using Java Swing. Java client applications communicating through Corba to C++ middleware, communicating to back end DB2 Databases. The system is based on a LAN of machines running NT, with WAN connections to such clients as Reuters or Thompson Holidays. Configuration management using CMVC. Report and requirement document writing using MS Office (Word and Excel)

Organization of Configuration Management for Lernout & Hauspie, Brussels, Belgium. The client is the leading producer of Voice recognition, dictation and machine translation software. I was responsible for the introduction of Configuration Management practices to the company, to ISO 9000 standard, writing standards and reports. The work involved installation and administration of ClearCase, arranging backup and recovery, coordinating MultiSite use between Boston, Ypres an Brussels, writing and giving tutorials and courses on the use of ClearCase, writing scripts in Korn shell, cshell and perl for maintenance of the system, setting up a standard environment, tutoring and mentoring support staff. Coordination with Software Architects, Release Engineers, management and Quality Assurance. Systems used include Sun Sparcstations with Solaris and PCs with Windows NT.

Work for VNU Publitec (major publishing company) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Analysis, design and development for a new integrated Client-Server system, based on an NT/Alpha VMS LAN, for VNU Yellow Pages, to replace a legacy set of systems based around an obsolete hierarchical database. Two separate roles were taken. Designed workflow and architecture for Web-based Yellow Pages service. Carried out low level design and implementation of report server. New system based on object-oriented analysis and design using UML (tool is Rose). Development using Visual C++ 6.0 for front end on Windows NT, Corba middleware, Oracle Database. Server is DEC Alpha running OpenVMS. Also worked on development methods with original development on MS Visual C++, with migration of applications to server using translation of project files to Gnu make, DEC C++ version 6.1, Pro*C on NT and VMS.

Work for General Electric Information Services (GEIS) London. Successful design and prototyping (with Push Technologies) of a radical open interface architecture for a legacy Risk Management System for banking clients (RXM). Coordination of consultants, client staff (from AMRO and UBS) and GE staff in London and Paris, design and prototyping of an active update publish/subscribe system using Java Messaging System (JMS), with updates and queries through CORBA (OrbixWeb for Java). Used Swing , JDK 1.2. Other developers used MS Java Virtual Machine to make a COM interface from Java to Excel. Used Visual J++ 6.0, Jbuilder development environments. Used MSWord for construction of requirements documents and reports.

Work for Swiss Re (reinsurance company), Cheltenham/London England. Object-oriented analysis, design and implementation in Visual C++ for a project to transfer and validate reinsurance database from Adabas mainframe to Sybase client-sever. Partly concerned with Year 2000 processing. Server end is IBM AIX running Sybase, client side Windows NT with Sybase Open Client/ODBC. Successfully completed a course on advanced use of MS Office, including Word and Excel.

Requirements analysis, architecture, design, development of prototype of an object-oriented interactive development environment/multiprocessing runtime control system for programs to load data into a relational database for telephone exchanges. The client was Alcatel SEL, Stuttgart, Germany. The development methodology was Rational Objectory, UML, using Rational Rose, Visual C++ for prototyping, client-server architecture using Corba (Visibroker). Coordination of effort in Stuttgart and Antwerp. Documentation communication within Stuttgart and to Antwerpen, Belgium used HTML, developed using Netscape Communicator. Configuration management using ClearCase.

Design and implementation for IBM in Amsterdam, Holland. The client was Elsevier Science publishers of about 2000 scientific journals. Project was to develop Electronic Warehouse system to hold and retrieve all journal articles in SGML/TIFF/PDF formats, assembly of journal issues and publication by conversion and printing or issue on CD-ROM or issue on Web FTP server. Responsible for the design and implementation of Current Awareness system, to store SGML(for various DTDs) for future articles, with abstracts, bibliographic data, keywords, and to retrieve according to client requirements. Client-Server system was developed in C++ (CSET) on RS6000 server under AIX, client development C++ Visual age, HTML, Java under OS2 on IBM PCs. The database system was DB2. Configuration management system CMVC.

Object oriented design and implementation for Citibank(in Zurich, Switzerland). System is for risk analysis and management for Private Bank clients. The system is based on a client-server architecture, using DCE as protocol, with a Windows NT Gui front end communicating with Oracle and RDB database servers and batch processing on high performance DEC Alpha server with VMS. Designed and implemented user interface and database communication software using Visual C++ 4.2. Organized configuration management between Singapore, New York, Zurich and Geneva offices, using Microsoft Source Safe as main tool.

Design and implementation for AEG Electrocom(in Konstanz, Germany), client Netherlands Postal System. System is for postal sorting, based on a client-server architecture with a Motif Gui front end server communicating with postcode recognition servers and image handling servers (to present images of letter addresses if the postcode cannot be recognized) on SparcStations with Solaris. Designed and implemented user interface software using SparcWorks C and C++.

Gui design and implementation for American Management Systems (in Lisbon, Portugal), client Telecel (Spanish and Portuguese mobile telephone company). System was for billing and customer service, based on a client-server architecture with a Windows Gui front end communicating with servers on Windows NT (for Sybase Relational DB) and VAX DBMS. Project was a re-implementation of an existing system using DEC Forms on a VAX. Designed screens and user interaction using Object Design method, Visual Basic prototyping. Implemented user interface software using Visual C++. Implemented a translator from VB Frame files to AppStudio resource files, written in Perl. Wrote Sybase stored procedures for interfacing to VC++ programs, using a C DLL for communicating with Sybase. Configuration management using PVCS.

Taught a course "Design of Telematic Systems" as part of the MSc in Telematics, Middlesex University. Taught MSc students, prepared class materials, arranged practical classes with class materials using Windows/Novell, VAX/VMS and Sun/Solaris machines.

Design and implementation for Logica Ltd, client National Rivers Authority. Design and implementation of a database browser and information management system, for a Water Authority database system; used Visual C++ 2.0 on MS Windows NT, Oracle Database, Gui based on Microsoft Foundation Classes. The system has a client-server architecture with software running on a network of PCs under Windows NT communicating with software running on Sun and Data General database servers running under Unix. Implementation included Oracle Forms 4 triggers, with PL/SQL calls to Dynamic Link Libraries containing Pro*C (for database interaction) and C++ (for sophisticated GUI) functions. Information manager was implemented in Visual C++ with linked Pro*C functions for database interaction. Configuration management system, sccs with company specific wrapper.

Design and prototyping work for Siemens-Nixdorf, design of a car dealer system; used Visual C++ 1.5 on MS Windows NT AS, Informix Database, Gui based on Microsoft Foundation Classes. Configuration management system, Microsoft Delta.

(Work subcontracted through Inference Corporation)

Worked on the design and implementation of a large expert system for Ford Motor Company Manufacturing Finance, in England, Germany and USA. The system controls costs in new car model programme management by helping engineers and buyers to find the best-in-world technology for part manufacture, with savings of tens of millions of dollars per year. Used Object Oriented Design with cost models implemented using Common Lisp Object System, C to access Oracle relational database under Unix, using Pro*C and direct OCI. User interface in XWindows, Open Look, OSF Motif. System implemented on a network of Sun Sparcstation 10s as servers. Worked on implementation of database server, using Windows NT AS, Visual C++ (+Pro*C wrappers), Oracle 7 NT version. Also implemented cost models for aluminium and zinc alloy die-cast components and rubber components (hoses, weatherstrip, profiles) - attended courses in rubber technology and die casting at colleges of technology.

Feb 1991-May 1991,

Designed and developed a real time process control system with Windows user interface for turbine blade testing for GEC ALSTHOM using C++, MSDOS, Burr-Brown ADC Board. Real time data acquisition from test rig, with windows graphical display of data and alarms.

June 1990-Oct 1990,

Developed a real time engine monitoring system with Windows user interface for new vehicle testing for LAND ROVER, using C++, MSDOS, Burr-Brown ADC Board

Worked on Computer Aided Integrated Circuit Manufacture for Valvo (Philips Components) chip foundry, Hamburg:

· Produced computer aided test software for chips, implemented on HP Apollo and Sun4 workstations, allowing structured testing of ASIC chips by outside ASIC foundries. System ran under Unix.

· Devised new algorithms and methods for VLSI mask production, leading to speedup by a factor of 6 in the speed of computer processing of masks for IC production.

· Designed user interface for a simulation environment leading to easier structured, multilevel simulation of circuit/logic behaviour during chip design. Design implemented on Apollo Unix workstations.

· Coordinated project management office, mentored team leaders in project management.

1987-1992

Managed a project team in the design and development of Glow, an object oriented, list processing programming language and system for easy interactive programming of personal computers (Macintosh, IBM PC and Unix versions produced) giving easy access to use of windows, menus and mouse. Compiler/system written in C. Very favourably reviewed by computer press, many systems sold.

Invited by the foremost laboratory for Human Computer Interaction(HCI) in Europe to research on HCI in CAD systems and object oriented programming, investigating new ideas for object oriented design methods and Browser design using ParcPlace Smalltalk, C++ on Sun4 workstations, IBM PS2s, Apple Macintosh 2FX and CI.

Carried out many consulting projects including:

Designed software quality assurance methods to BS5750/ISO 9000 and introduced them through courses and training for Philips Components, England

Consulted for Philips International on software project management, software engineering methods (including CASE), software portfolio development, software technology transfer from research to production.

Devised Programme Management methods and tools for Philips International, taught programme management to Philips staff, helped manage large projects as contract project management consultant.

Consulted on introduction and use of Desktop Publishing for improved communication of technical data and marketing information for a German electronics company. Made system by integrating workstation drawing tools with page layout system on VAX.

Consulted on the design of working environments, including LANs, workstation software tools, physical work place, for software engineers for Philips International, resulting in more productive software development and greater job satisfaction.

Senior Consultant April 1985 - July 1987

(based in Brussels)

· Consulted for multinational companies on the application of software engineering and software management techniques, introduction of CASE methods and tools

· Developed software development standards and methods tailored for the stage of sophistication, company culture and particular technical problems of clients.

· Prepared and presented courses for software developers and for management of client companies on configuration management, project management, software engineering methods

· Carried out project management and Quality audits of technical systems for large companies

Clients were companies in England, Holland, France and Germany.

Managed a technology transfer group for telecommunications applications in an internal consultancy role, for System 12 development. Management approach was project oriented, to apply newly developed research and methods to current engineering projects. Full budgetary responsibility for group, projects accounted for in terms of Return on Investment

· Designed and Developed System 12 testing software using Chill.

· Led team in an evaluation of Oracle DataBase Management System for holding technical and charging data on System 12 ISDN telephone exchanges, resulting in adoption of Oracle which led to more flexible and faster database development.

· Introduced modern software development practices and techniques, including CASE, to software development departments, resulting in surer and more accountable software development.

· Designed a software development environment based on an open system, local area network with workstations, recommended purchase of open system, which led to very much quicker software development.

· Served on Industry Standards liaison committee on high level and design languages.

Teaching: development and presentation of courses on

· introduction to computer systems, including programming in Pascal, C and Fortran 77

· systems software (operating systems, embedded system design and implementation for telecommunications, Unix internals)

· software engineering, project control and software management

Administration:

· management of microprocessor teaching centre for teaching embedded system development

· Unix V7 maintenance and extension, systems programming, including development of host/target software for development of embedded software on a Unix host, kernel modifications and development of device drivers for hard disks

· work with Prof. P J Landin on formal aspects of exception handling.

· Won ESRC funded project for the design and production of a computer system (language/compiler/editor/library) for user interface research and cognitive science research, using IBM PC and Apple Macintosh machines.

· work on system for remote procedure calls on Ethernet LAN.

· human factors evaluation of a proposed design for an Ada PSE for Logica Ltd and UK Ministry of Defence

· development of design recommendations for end-user menus and interaction methods for a banking terminal system, clients Logica Ltd and Midland Bank

· design of applications generator scripting language for configuring software for intelligent banking terminals, for Logica Ltd and Midland Bank

Responsible for project management, design and implementation of scientific and technical systems:

· Managed project for the development of a message switching system for the Royal Navy, designed operator interfaces, developed real time software.

· Managed high level consultancy to European Space Agency on Software Engineering and Quality Assurance methods for software, audited methods and practices in place in Technology Centre, Noordwijk and Operations Centre, Darmstadt

· Participated in Ada test and evaluation exercise for UK Department of Industry in conjunction with US DARPA

The first research unit in Europe working on human factors of man-computer systems, published work which was used in the development of modern Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and command language systems.

· Carried out research in human factors of computer systems:

carried out research on the design and usability of graphical user interfaces, using trackerballs, joysticks as pointing devices with graphical displays, menu systems and tiled windows

carried out studies of the usability and comprehension of programming and command languages in a graphical user interface environment

implemented tiled menus/windows system on vector graphics screen for studies of graphical information presentation

implemented production system shell for studies of knowledge based planning, including job shop scheduling and medical diagnosis

taught courses in computer use and in human factors for postgraduate students

· Carried out systems design and programming:

designed interactive list processing language for experimental control in man machine studies, implemented compiler and language system

designed and implemented word processing/editing system using daisywheel printer as output device, intelligent VDU as editing station

designed and implemented operating system support for real time experiments on minicomputers, with device drivers for conventional peripherals (hard disks, paper tape reader/punch, TTYs, VDUs, lineprinter, real time clock) and exotic peripherals (graphics terminals, joysticks, trackerballs, touchscreens).

· BSc(Honours) Psychology, University of Manchester

· BA Mathematics and Computing, Open University

· Distinctions in Pure Mathematics and Computing

· Certificate in Dutch (Advanced), University of Leuven

· Certificate in German, University of Leuven

Courses in HOOD, Object Oriented Design (University of Ghent), Socket programming (IBM), ClearCase (Alcatel)

Date of Birth: 12. 02. 47.

Married; 8 children.

Interests: History, writing short stories, translating German and Dutch into English.

Publications (Not including Technical Memoranda, client reports, fiction)

"The Organization of Advisory Services and Help Desks in Computer Centres", Computer Education, No. 24, 1976

"Reducing Programming Errors by Prescribing a Writing Procedure", (Sime, Arblaster, Green), International Journal of Man Machine Studies, Vol. 9, 1977

"Some Measures of Information about Program States", Proceedings of the International Computing Symposium 1977, pp183-190, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1977

"Structuring the Programmer's Task", (Sime, Arblaster, Green), Journal of Occupational Psychology, Vol. 50, pp205-216, 1977

"Jumping to Some Purpose", (Arblaster, Sime, Green), Computer Journal, Vol. 22, 1979

· Chosen as "Best British Computer Paper of 1980" by the British Computer Society

· Reprinted in "Best Computer Papers of 1980", North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1980

"Designing for the Human Factor", Computing, September 1979

"Fit for the Programmer's Psyche", Computing, September 1979

"New Directions in Computing", chapter in "Human Interaction with Computers", edited by H. T. Smith, T. R. G. Green, Academic Press, 1980

"Program Development and Running Environments", Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, Vol. 33, 1980

"Managing the Changing Future of Programming", Computerworld UK, September 1980

"Program Development and Running Environments for Host/Target Systems", International Journal of Man Machine Studies, Vol. 13, 1981

"Packaging Programmer Productivity: Software Tools", International Computer Programs Journal, Vol. 1, No 3, 1981

"Human Factors in the Design and Use of Computer Languages", International Journal of Man Machine Studies, Vol. 14, 1982

"The Evaluation of an Ada Programming Support Environment (APSE)", in "The Psychology of Computer Use", edited by Green, Payne and van der Veer, Academic Press, 1983

"A New Programming Language for the Cognitive Science Laboratory: Applicative Programming and Equipment Control on a Personal Computer", (Arblaster, Green and Cornah) Proceedings of the BPS London Conference, 1984

"An Experimental Computer Program for Teaching Metalinguistic Cues for Reading in a Foreign Language", (Arblaster, Baten, Cornu), Journal of Reading in Languages for Specific Purposes, Vol. 2, 1985

"Project Management - Methods and Tools", Valvo RHW, 1991 (used now as a textbook for Electronic Systems Development course, University of Oldenburg, Germany)

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