Freelance software development
done differently

Mobile

Much of my professional life has centred around mobile software development. I’ve worked on just about everything, from device drivers up through operating system components and embedded software, all the way to apps.

My recent work has included an exciting large-scale embedded solution using Android ICS, the Eyewitness app for Android and a suite of apps for Nokia developed in C++ using Qt, including Reuters News Pro, Sainsbury’s and Audioboo. I also worked on calendar and time-zone software for the MeeGo platform.

My mobile work stretches right back to my early days in the industry, when I spent many years writing phone software in C++ for clients including Nokia, Fujitsu, Motorola, Siemens and Symbian. As early as 1999 I was part of the UK team working on the Ericsson R380 – the world’s first smartphone.

Finally, I’ve also developed server-based mobile systems that interact with the phone via SMS and mobile web content. For more detail on how those were developed, head over to the C# and .NET section.

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C# and .NET and related Microsoft technologies

I’ve designed, built and deployed large-scale, data-driven systems using C#, .NET, SQL Server, Entity Framework, MSMQ, ASP.NET and Windows services. Most of the systems I’ve built have had a mobile component too, with either a separate mobile-specific user interface or a full set of web services to support native mobile clients.

The major solutions I’ve delivered to date include:

• back-end services for a major UK utility provider’s website
• a system powering mobile marketing campaigns, enabling sophisticated customer interaction and CRM features via any mobile phone using SMS, e-mail and mobile web content
• a workflow management system for the education sector, allowing users from different organisations and sites to manage and track business processes, share and collaboratively edit forms and documents, and manage their users and affiliated organisations

In delivering these and other systems I’ve designed and implementing all of the following:

• Large relational data schemas
• SQL Server data access layer using both T-SQL stored procedures and Entity Framework
• Class libraries and Windows services using C#, .NET and MSMQ
• Web services using WCF
• Web-based user interfaces using ASP.NET, complemented with standard open web technologies

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Web apps

I build web apps for desktop, tablets and phones using HTML5, JavaScript and CSS3 and standard reusable frameworks like jQuery and Modernizr. For back-end development I’m particularly experienced in PHP and Perl. Modern open web technologies certainly aren’t just for web sites: they’re an excellent platform for delivering capable, responsive, multi-platform applications with short development times.

My biggest HTML5 project to date is a fully-featured book reader for iPad and Android tablets. Unfortunately it’s a private system so I can’t publish a link, but you can see some screenshots in the gallery.

It boasts all the features you’d expect to find in a book reader: multi-title bookshelf, bookmarking, sticky notes, text highlighting, offline reading and more. It also has features you might only expect to find in a native application, such as localisation and a full multi-touch UI for tablets.

Implementing it involved using lots of new web technologies such as:

• HTML5 local storage
• Web SQL database
• Offline cache manifest
• Browser hardware acceleration
• CSS3 transforms and transitions
• CSS3 flexible box model

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Project Management

Experienced project management is critical to meeting your targets and safeguarding your profit margins. I’ve worked as a project manager on complex software projects and have a great track record of delivering them on time and within budget.

I offer a complete package of project management and related services, including:

• Pre-sales project management support: helping to estimate and scope a project, allocate resources, agree achievable milestones and propose workable budgets
• Day-to-day management of a project team, from a small team on your site right through to a distributed team working worldwide
• Risk management, change management and progress reporting
• Providing a clear, responsive point of contact to your customers
• Managing complex dependencies between multiple suppliers, customers and groups within your organisation
• Reporting progress to senior management in your organisation
• Robust quality management to ensure repeatable success across all your projects

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About Mainwave

Mainwave was founded by Mark Whitaker in 2005 and is based in Manchester, UK.

I have worked in the software industry for over 10 years in a variety of companies and roles. Before founding Mainwave I was Vice President of a software house in Manchester where I managed large projects for major international clients such as Nokia, Disney and Avaya.

I’ve also worked with much smaller companies, right down to one-man bands. I’ve experienced the growing pains that organisations of all sizes go through as they enter new phases of their development.

Before working in project management, I was a software engineer and technical consultant for many years. I have designed and written software for all sorts of devices, from phones to servers, and have delivered training courses and conference papers worldwide.

I hold an MSc in Computing Science from Newcastle University, as well as a 1st Class BA (Hons) in German and Management Studies from the University of Leeds and an MLitt in German Studies from Newcastle.

I founded Mainwave on core principles of quality, honesty and trust. Everything I do is carried out to the highest standards, with the key aim of improving the quality and efficiency of your business. I communicate clearly, from the very first point of contact, so that my dealings with you are always well understood and agreed. My goal is to build trusting, long-term relationships that truly benefit all involved.

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