Consultancy

Consultation Process

Geologs geotechnical database management system and cloud application was developed by Martin Williams.

Martin has a unique skillset, being both a degree qualified geotechnical engineer and a degree qualified computer programmer.

He is a highly experienced Principal Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental engineer, having over 30 years experience. He obtained his first degree in Geology (1986) followed by his MSc (Geotechnical Engineering) in 1992.

Martin is also a Computer Software specialist, with a First Class Honours degree in Computing obtained in 2003.

He has been programming since 1988 with his first experience gained programming Dbase III, regarded as the grandfather of the modern database systems such as SQL Server and Oracle.

Most modern applications are some form of ‘client server’ application, with a client user interface (front end) and back end database server (for example SQL Server).

Martin is a ‘full stack’ developer, ie. he designs and programs both the front end and the back end database. Consequently, he is best placed to advise on computer and data management to engineers. He understands both engineering and computing requirements.

Being able to communicate effectively and technically to both engineers and computer professionals; he can translate the engineering requirements into clear specifications to the computer industry.

Martin has also developed numerous ‘in-house’ applications for engineering firms and is able to rewrite legacy solutions such as engineering spreadsheets into proper computer programs adhering to Quality Assurance protocols and in-house validation.

Martin’s technical computer skills are as follows:

  • Expert in the AGS (Association of Geotechnical Specialists – UK www.ags.org.uk) data format

  • Microsoft dot Net developer in Visual Basic, C#
  • Database design in Microsoft SQL Server, Access and other DBMS (Database Management Systems)
  • Windows desktop application development
  • Web development ASP.Net, Core MVC, Blazor

IOS (Apple) and Android development would be outsourced to subcontractors.

Martin offers consultancy to engineering and other businesses, looking for advice and solutions to their fragmented business processes and data issues, allowing technical engineering systems to integrate with back office business systems.

Stage 1
Initial meeting (often virtual) to gain initial understanding of the brief and requirements and to allow a quotation and terms of business to be prepared.
Stage 2

Upon acceptance, a number of site visits may be required, to undertake Systems Analysis. This is a critical stage in the computing world and a document is produced outlining how the finished ‘system’ is meant to work.

It has to be borne in mind that the client’s desired system could be a bespoke single computer application, that does everything (unlikely) or a conceptual overall ‘system’ that comprises a number of separate applications that communicate between each other. The communication between the applications is normally achieved by some central application, that needs bespoke programming, database design and development, using the APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) of the proprietary applications.

Stage 3
Certain client requirements, maybe deliverable using existing Geologs solutions, possibly within the Geologs solution, but with some custom tweaks (known in computing as ‘White labelling’) or bespoke development, maybe undertaken. Programming maybe undertaken ‘in house’ or by subcontracting with specification to software houses.
Stage 4
Initial delivery of the system. It is likely that any systems developed will be web based in design. Consequently there is no need for installations and updates on users computers. Web programs can be hosted in the cloud (public) or hosted at the client (intranet).
Stage 5
Training of users. Achieved by online virtual meetings and provision of manuals and/or instructional videos.
Stage 6
Client usage and acceptance testing. No application has ever been written ‘bug free’ at the first time of asking. Consequently, a period of usage, feedback, tweaks and fixes is required.
Stage 7
Dependent on the terms of business, the application may return to the start of the system application lifecycle, as the client may have new ideas and requirements, which can and often does have a major impact on the fundamental design.