About lidd Consulting

lidd Consulting currently consists of one person, Ian Collier, who has 20 years experience in the IT field operating exclusively in the small and medium enterprise sector.

Although an IT specialist, Ian has had a varied career. This page presents a brief history of Ian's experience, qualification and skills since leaving full time education.

Ian Collier LPIC1, MSc, BSc Hons (Open) (1st Class), Dip. Comp. (Open), ACP, Dip. Y&CW.

Ian is a Level 1 Linux Certified Professional [ LPI ID: LPI000175556 - Verification Code: fdgebtpc75 ], a Novell Certified Linux Administrator and a Novell Data Center Technical Specialist.

Download Ian's CV here (in pdf format, 78Kb).

As the former IT Director of a medium sized construction design company Ian, reporting directly to the Chairman, had total responsibility for the specification, budgeting, purchasing, implementation, maintenance and support of the entire company’s IT and telephone systems, for all the Company’s offices world-wide.

Specifically, Ian established, and maintained, the Company's local area networks in all offices, which was subsequently expanded into a wide area network, using Internet based technologies. There were up to 100 users connected to all the networks. Ian was responsible for the security of all the Company's systems, including firewalls, routing, anti-virus, anti-spam and anti-spy ware provision, as well as implementing a secure and tested backup and archiving policies.

Additionally Ian has developed some innovative software solutions and develops and maintains the website for the Company. Please refer to the Websites and Software pages for more details.

Other tasks that Ian has performed for the Company included being the first to use an new innovative internet based database system, initiated by, and developed for, a leading supermarket chain (a major client). This successful system is becoming a flagship method of working for multi-disciplinary construction project teams, as the flow of information and speed of communication has proved to be greatly enhanced. Ian enabled the necessary users to have access to the system by establishing the required connectivity components and software systems for the users concerned. Ian's involvement has been so successful, that Ian sat on the user group for the database system, enabling him to provide positive feedback on the system. Ian has also been involved in the relocation of the Company's head office. Due to changes in personnel at very short notice, Ian was charged with the responsibility of specifying, and having installed, new telephone systems and complex telephone line requirements as well as the specifying and having installed a structured cabling system in the new office for both voice and data networks. Both of which were achieved on time and within budget. Having moved in over a weekend, both the new head office telephone and IT systems were fully operational by mid-morning on Monday.

As Associate Director for On-Line Developments, from mid 1994, Ian's duties included the management responsibility for the production of custom written software for a wide variety of clients. This included the gathering of information from clients, drafting specifications, preparing quotations, budgeting, planning, scheduling and managing the projects to ensure that the software meets clients' requirements, is of the appropriate standard and is delivered on time. Leading a team of six, some specific projects that Ian has been involved in included a model car racing management system for a small distributor, a kiln bending analysis system for a major multi-national cement manufacturer, a sub-contractor payroll and invoicing system for a construction labour supply company, a contractor award scheme management system for a major local authority and a lung performance analysis system for a clinical trials company. Please refer to the Software page for more details.

His main role in the department was to ensure that the software systems were of sufficient quality, delivered to the client on time and on budget, as well as becoming involved in writing substantial parts of the software. Additionally Ian also had responsibility for the Company's IT needs, including hardware, software and networks, which enabled him to become involved in new business initiatives. (There were in excess of 200 personal computers, connected to four local area networks.) Ian has also been involved in the planning and executing of training courses for clients, recommending, specifying, installing, maintaining and supporting hardware, software and networking solutions for clients.

Until mid 1994, his duties included the training of young people in IT applications, particularly database and spreadsheet applications, leading to level 1 and level 2 NVQs. Ian was also responsible for computer maintenance and trained young people and adults in the use of operating systems and some basic programming and scripting languages.

Prior to becoming an IT professional, Ian was a Youth and Community Worker. This involved the organising and running of activities for young people to participate in, counselling and advice offered to young people, group and developmental work with young people and staffing and centre management responsibilities at three local youth and community centres (at different times duing his period of employment). Other tasks included the day to day management of a busy youth and community centre, with responsibility for a number of full and part time staff, as well as the centre's finances.

Before becoming a professional Youth and Community Worker Ian worked as an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor working with groups of mainly young people in various outdoor activities, including rock-climbing, canoeing, sailing and wind surfing, with the main object being the development of team work, self reliance and leadership skills.

However Ian's first 'real job' was a Steward in a local bingo and social club, and his tasks included bar work, bingo calling, ticket sales, looking after members, handling cash and carrying out general administrative duties.

Ian completed his BSc with the Open University in 2002, graduating with first class honours, and then went on to study MSc in Distributed Systems and Networks at the University of Kent, successfully graduating in 2006. His dissertation looked at 'Secure Remote Backup Systems Using rsync', see the rsync page for more details.

Last updated: 5th March 2010