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Company

JRP. work alongside architects on new buildings, designing heating, ventilating, electrical and plumbing systems. The highest profile project with which I was associated whilst at JRP. was the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank headquarters in Hong Kong.

Position Summary

As the company's first computer specialist, my responsibilities included:

• The operation of a Digital PDP 11/44/VAX Mini Computer System
• Technical support for the in-house engineering and administration staff, as well as for engineers working remotely at other sites
• Data entry of plant, load and temperature simulations for a variety of building constructions, windows types and weather conditions

• Implementation of a custom word-processing system – replaced manual/electric typewriters; all users up and running in half the anticipated time:

For multiple users throughout two offices, including the training of operatives. As part of this I also prepared user documentation, and provided bug feedback to the external development company. This was a core component in improving the creation and maintenance of large technical documentation, including building standards and service compliance material. The company Partners personally thanked me for my proficiency in undertaking this work.

• Training engineering staff on the use of CAD systems

JRP was embarking upon a computerization programme, and as part of this, Computer Aided Design was a key component in reducing the time taken to complete the building services operations. The simulations also allowed the engineers greater options for trial and error than the previous hand-calculations. My work in training and supporting the engineers was a significant element in JRP’s computerization plan

• Creation of an audio-visual training programme

This was my initiative, to aid the engineer training and to allow more engineers to be trained at one time, without the need for one-on-one tuition, other than to answer any questions that arose at the end.

Reason For Leaving

I was offered the opportunity to progress within the organization, however, as they did not have an established M.I.S. operation at that time, it would have meant my specializing and attaining engineering qualifications in one of JRP's disciplines, which did not appeal to me.

Instead, I sought a new career direction, hopeful of finding something which could exercise more of my creative, as well as my computing skills.

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This was my first job upon leaving college in 1980 and I found it a very educational experience. I believe I excelled in my role, being awarded two very substantial wage increases in my time there