Dave English - About Me - IT Consultancy

David English Bsc.

I began working as an IT consultant in 1988. Since then I think I have done just about every type of consultancy work imaginable. Many of my customers have used my training services, as well as database and application development. I pride myself on being a generalist with a good grasp of both IT technology and human needs. My approach to computers is that they are a tool which should make life easier for the people using them, and bring increased efficiency and hence profit, to the companies using my services.

I have always been careful to avoid too close a relationship with any specific manufacturer. This means I am ideally placed to give a completely inbiased opinion on software and hardware requirements without any worries about needing to 'feather my own nest' by recommending products only from companies with whom I have a business relationship. That said, I believe in looking at the overall advantages to a particular solution, whether I personally prefer the company offering it or not.

Valuing honesty and practicality above all else, you can be sure that, whatever I may suggest as a solution to your business (or home) problem will be, in my considered opinion, the best combination of functionality and price I am able to offer.

Services include:

Business analysis
I will review your operating methods from an IT perspective and suggest areas where IT could be used more productively. This will include perhaps, suggestions of changes to software used, and training requirements for staff. On occasion it may include changes to basic business practice to offer a more streamlined service to customers.

Training needs analysis
This involves looking at your staff capability to use your IT systems effectively. Many companies invest large amounts in IT hardware and software without considering the effect this will have on staff, both from a business efficiency point of view, and staff satisfaction. These go hand in hand. By talking to members of staff and reviewing the work they have to do I can offer suggestions as to what training would be beneficial to both the company and the staff.

Systems Analysis
A review of your hardware and software system will often bring to light areas where improvements can be made, either in terms of software combinations used, or hardware inefficiencies. Problems in these areas can often be remedied by a change of configuration, or a change of emphasis, without needing massive investment in replacing perfectly functional hardware of software. The changes are often subtle, but the effects immediately evident in improved operation of the systems.

Troubleshooting
Many problems may seem intractable when you are living with them on a day to day basis. Often, as an outsider, I am able to see the root of a problem quickly and suggest or implement solutions which would take someone inside the company many hours of painstaking work to discover. Troubleshooting can be on any IT related area of business. Often computer performance can be compromised by something as simple as the settings used on a network card, or the configuration of a printer. With software a simple change to a configuration file can result in massively improved performance. One of the hardest things about finding the solution to problems within a company you work with every day is 'seeing the wood for the trees'. As an outsider I am able to review your entire system without prejudice and hence spot and eliminate problems quickly and easily.

Data Conversion
With the rapid changes occurring in the IT industry, it is easy to be left with useful data which is inaccessible due to software/hardware changes. I can usually convert this old/non-standard data in an accessible format. This applies to most applications, but particularly to data from spreadsheet, wordprocessing and database applications. I can often recover the data from corrupt files as well, though the level of success depends on the amount and type of corruption. If you have files you are having problems accessing give me a call or send me an e-mail with an outline of your problem and I'll let you know if I can help, and if so, how much it is likely to cost you.

General Advice
I am always willing to discuss any problems you may be suffering on an informal basis. If I can suggest a solution, either by telephone or e-mail (and may problems are easily spotted based on symptoms) I will be happy to do so, without necessarily charging for the service. Generally charges are only due if I either visit your premises, or have to do work/research in order to offer a solution. So feel free to call me or e-mail me if you are suffering irritating IT problems and have run out of ideas.