Steve Kennedy

DBVu

DBVu

DBVu is a MySQL monitoring, analysis and reporting site allowing start-ups to grow/scale their database infrastructure without the need for dedicated database administrators. The reports are suitable for both management and technical users.

• Startup type: Company
• Status: Active
• Stage: Prototyping

Employer:	DBVu Ltd
Position:	CSO
Time period:	April 2010 - Present
Description:	DBVu is a new centralised MySQL monitoring and performance analytics company, essentially a remote DBA for start-ups/small businesses.

Employer:	UKEC Ltd, London
Position:	Board director
Time period:	March 2008 - Present
Description:	UK ENUM Consortium Ltd is the governing body for ENUM in the UK delegated from the UK Dept for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) I am a board director (this is an elected position). The role is part time.

Employer:	NetTek Ltd, London
Position:	Owner
Time period:	March 2005 - Present
Description:	NetTek is my consulting company. I have worked with various companies in various roles including producing a Product Strategy for a large European ISP, various VoIP projects and low power GSM strategy for a Wireless/VoIP company, helped an ISP start-up and produced a spectrum strategy document for a large telecoms company.

Employer:	Textic Ltd, Maidenhead
Position:	CSO
Time period:	July 2008 - June 2009
Description:	Textic produces accessibility software as a service for website owners. I have been involved in working how the company should move forwards in terms of technology and market strategy as part of my role of Chief Strategy Officer. The software includes a server based text-to-speech element which is also being utilised for mobile client developments.

Employer:	Thus Plc, Finchley, London (was ScottishTelecom/Demon Internet)
Position:	Head of Product Futures
Time period:	March 1995 - March 2005
Description:	My last position within THUS was Head of Product Futures within the Product Group. The role was strategic, working to ascertain what technology was emerging and develop Thus’ Product Roadmap, then guide the Product Managers who have responsibility for specifying the actual products for that year. The job encompassed all areas of the business (voice, data, Internet) and required a good technology understanding as well as commercial acumen. As a “futures visionary”, THUS utilised my communication skills and I was a media spokesperson for the company, having been interviewed by, and written articles for, both the trade and national press (and spoken on “The Today” news program on Radio 4). I also speak at trade shows/conferences. The job did not entail staff management, though I worked closely with the Product Teams, Technology, Regulatory (responding to Ofcom consultations) and Corporate Communications groups. Head of Technology Futures. After Scottish Telecom had completed the acquisition a Strategy group was formed under the Director of Strategy (who reported to the Exec board) and I was made Head of Technology Futures. The role was more visionary looking at new technology and steering the direction of the company. The group also looked at M&A and I would advise on the technology of the companies being looked at. After about a year and a half there were further reorganisations and the group was broken up. I moved under the Sales Director, still performing the same role, but with more of a sales focus, including visiting customers and presenting the company vision and looking at their future requirements. STAR (Strategic Technology and Relationships) Manager. After the acquisition by Scottish Telecom I moved into the Development Group reporting to the Development Director running a small team looking at new technologies that were emerging in the Internet space and managing relationships with the vendors, during this time I was promoted to Head of STAR. Business Development Manager. My initial role at Demon Internet, reporting directly to the MD. As a small (rapidly growing) company the role encompassed traditional Business Development activities as well as Product Strategy, some marketing, organising exhibitions and public speaking. As the company structure formalised, various aspects of the role were move to other parts of the company (Marketing mainly). The Business Development Group was expanded as talks were instigated with Scottish Telecom.

Employer:	Various companies
Position:	Contract work
Time period:	September 1994 - February 1995
Description:	Various including Systems’ Administration at a Japanese Merchant Bank (mainly Solaris). Firewall comparison for a consulting company. Helping out with several jobs at Demon (from helping out with support, managing the leased line department, marketing/exhibitions).

Employer:	Telecom Secretor Cellular Radio Ltd (Cellnet/O2), Slough, Berks
Position:	I.S. Internet Consultant.
Time period:	September 1989 - September 1994
Description:	The job involved planning and designing Cellnet's wide area extended Local Area Network, however this also encompassed other technologies such as ISDN backup and remote access on to the LAN. My area of responsibility was mainly in the TCP/IP arena and this extended to specifying TCP/IP software for VAX and PC systems (as well as specifying all TCP/IP configurations throughout Cellnet). The current Cellnet TCP/IP infrastructure is based upon work I initiated. I was also heavily involved in project-oriented work. Until my job moved into the networks group I performed a role mainly running and planning the expansion of an operational HP UNIX mini system, though networking and security issues played an important part. In the past I was closely involved with the (software) production of frequency planning tools, developing software under the UNIX environment, this was mainly C based. I have also worked with HP `starbase' graphics, X windows and ported public domain software.

Employer:	Kontron Instruments Ltd. Watford, Herts
Position:	Technical Liaison Engineer
Time period:	August 1988 - July 1989
Description:	I was involved in the technology transfer of an arrhythmia project (cardiac monitor) from the USA to UK. This required full understanding of the design concepts behind the project and writing support software to test and prove the product. The support software was PC based and involved both C and assembler (`real-time' work and graphics handling).

Employer:	Analogic Corporation. Peabody MA, USA
Position:	Junior Programmer
Time period:	January 1987 - September 1987
Description:	As a member of a team developing a medical laser printer, I coded parts of the hardware/software interface. Most of the code synchronised various hardware sub-systems and used both high level and assembler `real-time' programming. This required a good knowledge of the overall system. I also helped manage a departmental VAX.

Employer:	Kontron Instruments Ltd. Watford, Herts
Position:	Junior Engineer
Time period:	June 1983 - September 1984
Description:	My main task was to develop a general-purpose microprocessor-controlled test-board. This was used in several pieces of test equipment. I developed both hardware and software for this system that was subsequently used in a commercial product.

Employer:	British Aerospace (Dynamics) Plc. Stevenage, Herts
Position:	Vacation student industrial trainee
Time period:	June 1981 - September 1981
Description:	I worked initially within the Test and Development department developing prototypes, and then in the Test Training department (internal training within BAe).

Employer:	Kontron Elektroniks, Munich, Germany
Position:	Training experience, testing and repair of microprocessor boards
Time period:	June 1980

Hobbies:

Writer for www.digital-lifestyles.info a UK based technology site and www.mobileindustryreview.com. I also write for the BCS and IET and various trade press and have freelanced for The Register. I’m on the Programme Committee of UKNOF (UK Network Operators Forum) which is a forum for anyone involved with UK infrastructure. I was instrumental in setting up an Internet Dance Radio station, providing technical expertise both for the in-house server set-up and live net casts (www.gaialive.com). I play softball for a London league team. I fly stunt kites and scuba dive (qualified PADI Rescue Diver) that allows me to follow my interest of underwater photography. I read several trade journals and try to keep abreast of new developments in both the computing and electronics fields.

Awards:

• Instigated Demon’s virtual Point-of-Presence architecture (which evolved into 0845 non geographic numbers). • Licensed 1st UK Real Server. Arranged the deal whereby every customer can utilise 2 free streams (unique to Demon). • Help set-up UK01 low power GSM operator. • Designed Demon’s (initial) ADSL service and heavily involved with all ADSL products. • Project managed Thus’ involvement in net casting the 1st UK “BigBrother”. This was completed in around 7 days.