Progressed to management role responsible for software staff developing and maintaining on-line medical information systems for patient administration and care in a 300-bed Middle Eastern military hospital, using networked intercommunicating minicomputers. This followed successes in:

• Database Officer role, responsible for collection, protection, integrity, integration, archiving and retrieval of all computerised medical data; and

• initial position as analyst-programmer with key role in patient care systems. Was first point of contact for diagnosis of user and system problems in several areas of the system. Re-wrote and tested the proprietary database management system, successfully improving its efficiency and reliability.

Neil worked for a total of five years on the following projects:

• Specification of enhancements to solicitor's accounting system.

• Evaluation of payroll package.

• Quality assurance for a defence project, using an analytic tool for controlled requirements expression.

• Specification, design and development of trustee accounting system for securities and investments, using data dictionary and Michael Jackson structured programming methodology.

• Project management of the implementation and enhancement of computer typesetting systems for three branches of a large local newspaper group, using on-line photo-typesetting machines. Supervision of system and acceptance testing, and assistance with client operator and system manager training.

• Design and programming of parts of a multi-million pound real-time air traffic control system.

• Development of order processing and accounting system for a chemical wholesale company. Was selected to be sole on-site maintenance representative.

• Programming and testing of accounting system for UK’s largest air freight forwarders. Was later retained as consultant on enhancing the system.

Sales and support of hardware and software packages for small businesses in various sectors. Neil’s role included the definition of client requirements, and tailoring of the packaged software.