Scope of works: Project Management in Construction

While a self employed project manager with OMG Construction Ltd in 2008, I secured a job in conjunction with SkateCo to construct open air ice rinks in the centre of Canada Square, Canary Wharf and in the O2 Arena.

I project managed the process of transforming the areas with indoor and outdoor lighting, decking, a locker and changing room area and a large restaurant and bar area where skaters could purchase food and drinks.

I worked and liased with an array of bodies from plumbers, electricians, carpenters, designers, architects, health and safety, internal and external suppliers, the Canary Wharf Group and Greenwich.INC.

Following its popularity in 2008, the ice rink was expanded to over 20 locations throughout the UK in 2009 and continues to expand yearly.

Canary Wharf outdoor ice rink

Canary Wharf outdoor ice rink

Scope of works: Software development and web technologies

The infoMessenger is a web based appointment by text message and email reminder application primarily directed at appointment based businesses, such as dentists and hairdressers.

With the aid of Adobe Micromedia Dreamweaver CS3 and Notepad++ I developed the web site using HTML, CSS, PHP5 and AJAX using Javascript.  For the concept, design and images I used Adobe Photoshop CS3.  The database was designed and hand coded using mySQL.

I set up a web server to host the application using Linux and incorporating Apache for the web server and Linux cron jobs for the scheduled database and web site backup.

Appointment reminders can be sent out immediately or scheduled to be sent at any time in the future.  A full CRM facility means the appointment manager can send out reminders quickly and easy from a database of clients they have already entered, or simply add new client details.

Following its general release in 2010, this web application is now being used in 15 plus dental surgeries and continues to expand.

Log in screen

Welcome and main screen

Sending a reminder screen

Sending a reminder screen

Scope of works: Digital signage network, software development, web technologies and post-installation maintenance

In4health is a digital signage network currently present in GP surgeries inpatient waiting rooms and hospitals offering health related information and services.

The system is comprised of a 40 inch LCD screen, interactive kiosk touchscreen, interactive hand-held devices and an online management system.  The interactive kiosk offers further information on health related issues including registration to become an organ donation, review the PCTs web site and give the apportunity to feedback views to the health care staff using customisable confidential surveys.  Playback of informative health related videos and animations are featured on the 40 inch LCD screen, together with practice specific content, news, sports, weather and local news stories.  The online management system allows the doctor and local PCT staff to set their own announcements and messages for display on the screens, review content and gather invaluable information from practice by practice reporting on usage, feedback and surveys.

in4health online management site

I was responsible for developing a portion of the online management web site  and maintaining the digital signage network on an on-going daily basis.

With the aid of Adobe Micromedia Dreamweaver CS3 and Notepad++ I developed the online management web site using HTML, CSS, PHP5 and AJAX using Javascript.  For the concept, design and images I used Adobe Photoshop CS3.  The database was designed and hand coded using Microsoft SQL Server.

The in4health interactive kiosk

I have been in the commercial digital signage and IT industry for over 10 years working on large networks such as WHSmith, Cabvision, Baby TV, In4health and Surgery Media Systems Ltd.  I have been involved in most aspects of digital signage and IT including project management, installations, consultancy, development, troubleshooting, maintenance, training, management and support.

My most recent digital signage project started towards the end of 2008 when I was asked to join Surgery Media Systems Ltd (SMS) and head the project management and development of a brand new ground breaking digital signage network. After 8 months of development, design work, testing and plenty of late nights and strong coffee, a final version was completed. The patient infoPoint system was available to dental practices and GP surgeries throughout the UK in 2009.

More recently, I have been involved in freelance work for Icon, Scala, Remote Media and a number of digital signage agencies.

My development experience platforms include PHP, ASP, Javascript, CSS, mySQL, MSSQL, Visual Basic 6, VBScript, Scala, XML, DOS batch files.  Read this article for a comprehensive overview.

I am currently developing additional skills in Visual Studio 2010, Facebook Markup, Facebook Applications and iPhone Xcode.

Thank you for reading,
John A Cove

“John proved to be not only a great manager but also a brilliant mentor during  my time working for him at Surgery Media Systems. John was always professional, approachable and encouraged his staff to always reach and realise their full potential.  Pressurised deadlines did not phase John and the communication he constantly instigated with his staff meant that projects were always delivered in a smooth and timely manner. My time working for him was very memorable and I would not hesitate at the opportunity to work again with him in the future.”
Chantelle Jones, Senior PA, Surgery Media Systems Ltd

“John combines technical competence and a conscientious work ethic with a gently relaxed and supportive style which makes him an easy person to work with.  He is organised, always gets back to you and never over-promises.  From a sales perspective, I know that I can hand over to John a customer support issue and it will be dealt with promptly and professionally.  He also has a well-rounded communication style, in particular a sense of humour and perspective.”
Matthew Hutchin, Head of Sales and Marketing, Surgery Media Systems Ltd

“John is a highly talented, communicative and personable individual. He approaches all projects with a high degree of professionalism and competence, and is real joy to work with. I look forward to working with him on future projects.”
Ben Stevens, Senior Creative, Liquid Digital

“John is a hard working developer with a high level of competence. His skills were varied, and was always able to build successful relationships with clients. He handled a variety of complex projects with an impressive display of professionalism and skill, and was never phased by increasingly tight deadlines.”
Simon Edwards, Managing Director, Liquid Digital

Digital signage is a form of electronic display that shows information, advertising and other messages. Digital signs (such as LCD, LED, plasma displays or projected images) can be found in public and private environments, such as retail stores and corporate buildings.

Advertising using digital signage is a form of out-of-home advertising in which content and messages are displayed on digital signs with a common goal of delivering targeted messages to specific locations at specific times. This is often called “digital out of home” or abbreviated as DOOH.

The benefits of digital signage over static signs, in situations where changing signs are preferred over static signs, are that the content can be exchanged more easily, animations can be shown, and the signs can adapt to the context and audience, even interactively. Digital signage can offer superior return on investment compared to temporary and/or promotional signs made from other substrates.

Below is a categorised list of software packages I am proficient in and have used commercially to develop software applications, web sites, content programming and in my general everyday IT working life.

I have not gone into too much detail on this page but if you read the individual project pages that I’ve been involved in, you’ll see how the various technologies below were put to use.

Software development

• DOS batch file programming
• Microsoft Access
• Processing
• Scala Designer v5
• VBScript
• Visual Basic 6
• Visual Basic for Applications

Office

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Visio
• OpenOffice

Operating Systems

• Apple OS X
• Linux
• Microsoft Windows

Servers

• Windows Server 2003
• Windows Active Directories and user administration
• Windows Exchange Server
• Microsoft ISA
• Microsoft IIS
• Kaspersky administration

Imaging

• Adobe AfterFX CS3
• Adobe Fireworks CS3
• Adobe Photoshop CS3

Web site development

• ASP
• CSS
• HTML
• Javascript
• MySQL
• PHP
• vBulletin
• WordPress
• XML