Different domains, different toolchains, the same underlying discipline: understand the problem end to end, then build the pipeline or system that carries it reliably.
Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer
Create test plans for a statistical Excel plugin.
Fortran
Genstat
Perl
Rich Text Format
Workflow
Generate test results with Fortran and/or Genstat on DEC mainframe
Export to corporate network drive
Convert to RTF using Perl
Convert to Word format
Review contents
Publish to testing team
Medical Research
National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics
Compare amputee stump treatment techniques.
Delphi
SQL
Genstat
Workflow
Use Delphi application at hospitals to input treatment outcome data
Export to a set of CSVs on site
Process using Perl
Import into Genstat
Create summary statistics
Publish in LaTeX
Publisher of Print Dictionaries
Collins Dictionaries (Project 1)
Update existing dictionary production workflows.
Perl
bash
nroff
PostScript
Workflow
Lexicographers create one-dimensional tagged text
A pipeline of Perl and bash scripts converts to typeset-ready marked-up text
nroff generates base PostScript files
PostScript is modified for production printing presses
Dictionaries are printed, bound and sold
Publisher of Print Dictionaries
Collins Dictionaries (Project 2)
Create a new workflow to prepare the Collins Spanish Dictionary for its production print run.
Java
FrameMaker+SGML
SGML
XML
XSLT
XSL-FO
Workflow
Lexicographers create one-dimensional tagged text
A command-line Java application converts it to output-agnostic XML
XML is converted to XSL-FO for output to PDF for in-house proofing
XML is converted to specific FrameMaker+SGML markup
FrameMaker+SGML outputs PostScript
PostScript is modified for production printing presses, and dictionaries are printed, bound and sold
VoIP Hosted PBX
Coms.com
Create multiple bespoke VoIP signup, provisioning, billing and call management workflows for mid-market business clients.
Perl
C
Erlang
Java
JavaScript
OpenSER
FreeSWITCH
Bash
Nokia Smart Messaging WBXML
MySQL
Workflow
User signs up for the service
Payment method details are fraud-checked
Phone hardware is ordered and delivered (drop-shipped)
Phones are automatically provisioned
Call metadata is captured for billing
Calls are billed
Digital Product Lab
Macfarlane Engel and Associates
Create the low-level C module to control LED lights from an iPhone.
C
Objective-C
Satellite Navigation (GPS)
Garmin
Build a state machine for proximity to Places of Interest (PoI) in a SatNav device.
Python
Digital Product Lab
Macfarlane Engel and Associates
Create low-level C modules for signal processing in a karaoke mobile app.
C
Objective-C
Broadcasting
Marjan TV / Manoto
Build dial-in voting for an X-Factor style show.
Erlang
OpenSER
FreeSWITCH
Workflow
Phone numbers are allocated by Ofcom
Phone numbers are provisioned in the Ericsson Switch
Show is broadcast
Votes flood in through existing Ericsson Switch
Call metadata is captured in an Erlang-based queue
Call metadata is drip-fed into the legacy back-end billing system
VoIP Hosted PBX
Vonage UK
Operations management workflow for a VoIP hosted PBX serving mid-market businesses.
Perl
Bash
MySQL
Workflow
User signs up for the service
Payment method details are fraud-checked
Phone hardware is ordered and delivered (drop-shipped)
Phones are automatically provisioned
Call metadata is captured for billing
Calls are billed
VoIP Hosted PBX
Vonage UK
Correct and optimise pricing for calls to and from every local dial code in the world.
Java
Clojure
Workflow
Ingest call gateway rate sheets for all dial codes (prefixes) for all service countries from multiple gateway providers
Match dial codes to number types (e.g. emergency, national, local, mobile, special services)
Compare call buy rates with sell rates
Create new tariff definitions for legacy billing system
Make rates available via a web application
Print Automation
Techsound
Massively speed up import of PNG files with a transparency layer into PDF files.
C
Perl
Bonus achievement: the work was contributed back to the PDF::API2::XS CPAN module.