Stephen Aspey

Finding the source of problems and fixing them is something that I specialise in. Having such a diverse set of skills and experience, combined with detailed knowledge of systems architecture, allows me to cover a lot of ground when trying to find the source of a problem.

My computer science background and more than two decades of experience have served me well so if you find yourself with the clock ticking, a customer getting agitated and no resolution in sight, give me a call.

I'll quickly tell you if it's something I can tackle and that call could well be the difference between costly delays and a satisfied customer.

The role of Solutions Architect requires knowledge and skills that are both broad and deep. It necessitates experience in multiple hardware and software environments and a considerable level of comfort with heterogeneous systems environments.

As architect, I am responsible for the overall vision of the project and I facilitate the transition of that vision into concrete form. Starting with feasibility studies and functional analysis, I then define the technical solution, choosing the most appropriate technologies and working with developers to bring that vision to life.

Bringing in an expert early on can save you thousands, especially when it comes to someone promising you a 'bells and whistles' solution which are all too often too good to be true.

In my experience there's no such thing as the perfect solution, even if your pockets are deep and you are not in a hurry. To save time, and therefore money, it is often more prudent to choose best-of-breed solutions and focus on integration to smooth workflows and streamline business processes.

A few hours of my time can make the difference between success and failure. Making the right technology choices can be the difference between profit and loss. Give me a call to see how I can help.

Sometimes your needs are so specialised that the only option is to have something designed specifically for you.

I've written software that aided the safety of UK-made vaccines, ensured Canadian liquor stores had their orders fulfilled correctly, fast-tracked insurance claims in Holland, and remotely monitored solar power generation in the US to ensure maximum efficiency.

Experience is nothing without diversity, and when combined with technical excellence enables me to see the full extent of the situation and bring to bear my knowledge and experience to solve the problem.

Programming was my first career passion and remains high up the list. I find it a very creative process and I have kept my skills honed over the years.

I like to use the analogy of a car. You want a car? No problem, I'll build you a car but what kind of car do you want? What is it being used for? How long must it last? Do you need to upgrade it at a later stage?

My programming skills complement the bigger picture. Without the experience to know which direction to go, programming skills don't go very far. So it's nice to have the skills when you need them and I still love the magic of getting computers to do what you want them to do.