Blogs

Agile: Beware the HiPPO in the room
A few months ago, I was reading the always excellent blog from Black Swan Farming. An article that interested me spoke of the HiPPO effect. The following post is based on this article and my own thoughts on the highly collaborative ways of working required for Agile development practices. The Highest Paid Persons Opinion (HiPPO)…

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Samsung Trial Rear-Mounted Video Screens on Trucks to Allow Safe Overtaking

South Korean electronics company Samsung is known as an innovator, having brought many technological developments to market over the years. Its approach to safety on trucks is apparently no exception. Samsung has recently begun trialling rear-mounted video screens on the back of its trucks. A camera is placed on the front of the truck, and…

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Using Data Collaboratively

At the recent Microlise Transport Conference, Chief Executive of the FTA, David Wells, spoke to delegates about the potential for success when data was used collaboratively. Big Data has been a “buzz term” for some time, relating to how large amounts of data can be used to provide intelligence and insight into a range of…

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Routing for Success

In the last blog post, I said I’d take you through the details of what route I will be taking up Kilimanjaro. At the end of July I’ll be climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the STEPS Charity, who have, and continue to support my family during the treatment of our youngest child William. Firstly,…

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Uncertainty vs Certainty

As the UK recovers from the recent political campaigns, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on some aspects of the many discussions held up and down the country. Uncertainty and instability have been key words to describe the outcome of a potential hung parliament and such an outcome would have had serious consequences for…

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Establishing a foothold in the Defence Market

In my last blog I discussed leaving the Army. This time round I’d like to offer some thoughts on the challenges of establishing a business unit in the Defence market. It’s not easy, of that there is no doubt, and I guess I would summarise what you need to start with in the following few…

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The Journey into Agile

My role in Microlise is to plan the projects across three main themes – customer projects, new product developments and supporting our current customer base. In order to achieve these goals we have adopted SCRUM and are using this Agile framework within the Scaled Agile Framework. I first used Scrum over 5 years ago and…

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Microlise Solutions set up to Deal with HGV Speed Limit Change

On the 6th April, two speed limit changes come into force across England and Wales for all heavy good vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. The change was first announced last summer and related to single carriageway roads, with the change on dual carriage way roads also later announced, to come into force at the same time.…

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First Microlise Fitted Vehicle rolls off Tata Motors Production Line

Last year, we were excited to announce that Tata Motors – the world’s fifth largest manufacturer of heavy goods vehicles – had become Microlise’s latest OEM partner. The deal also represented our first move into the Indian market. Since that time, we have been working closely with our colleagues at Tata Motors to develop the next…

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From the Army to Civvy Street

Leaving the Army is a daunting prospect for some of those serving and facing an end to their time in uniform. For many the Army life is the only one they have ever known and the thought of having to get a ‘real job’ can be a scary one indeed. I took this big step…

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2015 – A new world of smart connected products and services

As the world continues to recover from the worst economic downturn in recent times, 2015 sees the start of a year of significant industrial and political transition. For example electioneering in the UK has already started with the possibility of a fresh start with a new Government in May. Key issues facing the country, industry…

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Cameron Pledge Positive Move – But Only in Conjunction with Fuel Duty Cuts

Last week, David Cameron announced a £15bn government programme to improve and develop the road infrastructure of the UK. This investment, should it happen following a Conservative win at the next general election, would focus on key problem roads that often see congestion and delays.  Undoubtedly a positive announcement for transport operators, any support for…

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