Scope of works: Project and Operations Management, Software development (Visual Basic, Flash CS3, LAMP)

Baby TV is a information service aimed at parents-to-be in hospital antenatal waiting rooms nationwide.  Baby TV aims to help parents-to-be make informed decisions for the health, welfare, safety and happiness of both themselves and their future baby.

My involvement in the Baby TV interactive kiosk project included:-

• Producing an innovative and informative user experience.
• Developing an interactive kiosk application.
• Maintain and support the interactive kiosks on a daily basis.

I developed a custom web browser in Visual Basic which served a locally hosted web site designed using LAMP.  The web browser has an automatic return to homepage feature which returned the web browser to the homepage when the interactive kiosk was idle.  Additional features also include collating page visits and competition entries which are stored locally in a mySQL database and backup text files.

Competition entries, usage statistics and the “email me this page” feature information were stored locally on the media player.  Once a day the information was uploaded to a central database and server, ready for daily reporting and usage monitoring.

Health monitoring information, including a screen shot, connectivity and media player operation statistics, were also uploaded on a daily basis to the central server.  This helped the administrative staff to monitor the network efficiently and responsively.

The new Baby TV interactive kiosks will initially roll out to four hospitals and a shopping centre.

Scope of works: Project management, training and development

The Priory Surgery, an NHS general practice situated in the heart of High Wycombe, is the location of a digital signage installation I have recently project managed.  This installation of the patient infoPoint system from Surgery Media Systems Ltd was installed in March 2010 and comprises of a 40″ LCD screen and two smaller 32″ LCD screens installed throughout a large c1900s three story converted Victorian house.

I sourced and tested all hardware essential for the installation, including screens, media player, wall mounted brackets and screen output splitting and extending equipment.

Working in conjunction with the practice, I prepared and tailored the screen content ensuring all content was suitable for a NHS general practice.

Before and after shots of a waiting room at The Priory Surgery (click to enlarge)

I decided to install one media player for this installation  based on the following reasons;  reduced licence fee, hardware and installation costs, on-going maintenance and daily monitoring.

DVI over CAT5 network cabling was used to extend and split the single digital graphics output from the media player to 3 separate LCD screens installed throughout the practice.

Before and after shots of a waiting room at The Priory Surgery (click to enlarge)

I was present on the day of installation to make sure the client was completely happy and to help with the installation where appropriate.

I carried out a comprehensive training session on the patient infoPoint system.  Training was given to the general practice staff members, including the practice manager and principle doctor.

Before and after shots of a waiting room at The Priory Surgery

The different components to the patient infoPoint system from Surgery Media Systems Ltd can be viewed by clicking here, or visit the Surgery Media Systems article under Digital Signage.

Scope of works: Project management, software development and web technologies.

The Surgery Media Systems Ltd (SMS) digital signage network consists of an interactive touchscreen kiosk , an infotainment 40″ LCD screen , an online administrative web portal and a public facing health information portal called www.myinfopoint.co.uk .  Collectively, the digital signage network is called the patient infoPoint system.

Waterside Dental, Canary Wharf

The wall mounted screen displays content customised by the practice, including instant messaging, quizzes, real time feeds via the internet and customisable slides.  The interactive kiosk contains information videos, detailed information about the practice and gives patients the opportunity to register their details with the practice and fill out a survey created by the practice.

infoManager - The Survey Manager (click to enlarge)

I developed a web-based survey manager where the practice could create and edit their own surveys, publish to their interactive kiosks and report on each survey’s results using the web-based administrative portal.

The infoManager - web based administrative portal

The administrative web portal manages ever aspect of the system.  From the web portal, the practice has direct control on content creation, content updates, survey reporting and patient registration details from the interactive kiosk and the ability to send target emails to their patients.

The public health portal - www.myinfopoint.co.uk

SMS was setup in 2008, and I was asked to join the company as project manager and developer.  My first task was to interview and short list a team of developers and designers.  Based on documentation of what the patient infoPoint system would initially become work began on developing the brand new SMS digital signage network.

I project managed the SMS digital signage network from beginning to end.  I also got heavily involved in software development, specifically the content playback and backend solution, internal and external web sites and database programming.

After 8 months of development, design work, testing and plenty of late nights, a final version of the patient infoPoint system was completed ready for launch at the BDA Dental Show, ExCel Centre in the heart of London’s Royal Docks.  It was positively received and headway made to market the SMS digital signage network to interested dental practices throughout the UK.

Screen and interactive kiosk components

The SMS digital signage network sold well and installations began.  12 months after development started, the patient infoPoint system was installed into at leats 10 dental practices.

Once the SMS digital signage network was operational, I developed a site monitoring and fault logging system using PHP and mySQL.  This reported on the  network’s health status and was checked regularly by the SMS support staff.  When an issue arose, a fault was entered into the fault logging system where I monitored progress and ensured faults were resolved.

During my time at SMS my responsibilities have included the following:-

• Ensuring key project targets were met and on time.
• Preparing, testing and setting up equipment for exhibitions and demos.
• Technical and operations point of contact.
• Continued web site development of the various SMS websites and web portals.
• Interviewing and hiring new members of staff, appraisals, staff holiday and absenteeism.
• Holding regular staff and operations meetings.
• Liaising with clients, suppliers, Directors, shareholders and business partners.
• Technical documentation writing and monthly company technical and operational reports for board meetings.
• Organising and presenting project demos to prospective new clients and dealers.
• Software and hardware testing and repairing.
• Project managing site installations.

In Jan 2009, as the Project Management concentration ended my role changed to Operations Manager.

New responsibilities also included:-

• Sourcing new screen content and arranging usage permission with the various government agencies.
• Ensuring the digital signage network is healthy.
• Ensuring all sites were operational and repairing faults or failures.
• Bug fixes and improvements in the digital signage software and SMS websites as they arise.
• Liaising with suppliers, sourcing improved hardware and reducing the price of the existing digital signage solution.
• Programming new and updating content using Scala Designer.
• Management of the technical, sales and content staff and departments.
• Holding training days.

The infoManager - Survey results

Here is the official Surgery Media Systems Ltd marketing brochure.

Client Testimonials

“We find the patient infoPoint system a valuable asset as it keeps our patients informed on what we have to offer as well as the news and things of interest showing on the screen has helped nervous patients and children to keep occupied while waiting to go in to the surgery for treatment.  Thank you very much for a fantastic aid to the surgery.”
Sue McVey, Broadfield Dental Care

“We certainly found it very useful in improving the efficiency in the service we provide to our patients.  Using the reports we can see patients feedback on the service we provide.  We have a system where our patients can freely give us feedback without feeling pressured to do so as they willingly want to use the infoTouch.”
Dr. Binamin, Widney Dental Care

Scope of works: Digital signage, web technologies, software development, maintenance

During my four year permanent contract at MEI Digital Ltd, I worked on the WHSmith Travel and Retail digital signage network.  The network consisted of over 200 LCD and plasma screens, rack mounted media players, web browsers, interactive playtables for kids, exterior digital signposts, live train timetables and in-store dump-bin screens.

The network spanned over 60 stores in all major airports and railways stations throughout the UK, including Selfridges and AXA, and all major USA airports. It is worth mentioning that WHSmith is the longest running digital signage network in the world and continues to expand to this day.

Back in 2002, WHSmith was my first experience in digital signage.  I used my previous IT experience and knowledge to undertake all tasks that came with my role and, with this, my potential was soon noticed where I was asked to take on further responsibilities.  Being a small company, it meant everyone, including me, got involved in all aspects of the business, which at the ripe age of 24 was excellent experience and steered me well on my way into the digital signage marketplace and multi-talented evolutionary IT and management skills.

On a daily basis, I supported the entire digital signage network.  The level of support I was involved with ranged from hardware swap out to project managing a brand new site installation.

While at MEI Digital Ltd, I feel my main achievements included:-

• Development of playback, delivery, monitoring and reporting software for the WHSmith digital signage network.
• Development of corporate and Intranet web sites.
• Project management and installation of in-store digital signage networks.  This included anything up to 8 screens in one store, media players, backup power supplies, sound systems, queueing system integration, live train timetable integration etc.
• General internal IT support.  I was the main point of call for anyone with a computer issue or technical query.
• Involvement in new project brain storming sessions.
• Software development that included the playback reporting of all screen content throughout the network. This was utilised by the digital signage management team within WHSmith and the third party advertising agencies.
• I developed automated watchdog software that monitored abnormal system activity on the media players and automatically rebooted the system when a fatal error occured or restarted the content playback software where appropriate.

In-store digital signage media player installation

Stansted interactive kids play table

WHSmith Book.co interactive web browser

Heathrow dump bin promotions

Victoria Station re-fit in 2007

WHSmith Stansted Airport

Scope of works: Project management

I occasionally work as a technical consultant and project manager with an outdoor events company called MEI Events. A recent project where I was one of the project managers involving Andy Murray and Pat Cash on the roof of the O2, London.

The roof of O2 has one of the best and most exclusive views of London. As part of the ATP’s campaign to publicise the 2009 ATP World Finals, MEI Events produced and managed a photo-shoot with Andy Murray on the roof of the O2, which we branded with the ATP logo in the centre of a huge target.

On the actual stunt day, I worked with the key people involved and organised the walkie talkies to ensure communication was possible between  everyone, which included the helicopter pilot, cameramen, Andy Murray, Pat Cash and the project organisers.

With the window of filming from the helicopter very limited, and in the knowledge we only had time for one take, this had to work first time or not at all!  The pressure was on!  As you can see from the YouTube clip below, the result was stunning!

ATP Finals at the O2 with Andy Murray

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