Vance E. Neff - resume

Vance E. Neff
Vance's Consulting Co.
1335 Fernwood Dr.
Lapeer, Mich. 48446
810-664-6098
Above # also fax, please call via voice 1st
consulting@the-neffs.com

SUMMARY

During the last several years I have primarily dealt with user interface devices that are part of some sort of network. These devices have their own proprietary operating systems, many of which I developed and implemented. The programming is done in C and/or the microprocessor's assembly language.

These include, but are not limited to:

Handheld devices with small multi-line LCD screens, downloadable databases, and a variety of I/O interfaces.
Card encoding mechanisms which support a variety of card types such as mag. stripes, contact memory and smart cards and contactless RFID cards and also support many I/O interfaces.
PIN pads, such as you would find in checkout lanes.

The above mentioned I/O interfaces typically included RS232, USB, and TCP/IP. And in those units that require more than 1 processor, a SPI interface is generally used.

My involvement in the development cycle is usually as follows:

I work closely with the hardware designer(s) to optimize the unit's cost/performance.
After the schematic is done, I examine it for any obvious flaws or omissions.
While the prototype board(s) are being laid out and built, I design the basic software flow, develop any new communication protocols that are required along with detailed documentation, and start the actual programming.
When the first prototype boards are available, I commence to debug the hardware and communicate any faults that I may have found back to the hardware designer(s).
As soon as a unit is basically operational, I submit it to the customer for review of its operation, features and user interface.
The above steps are repeated as required.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Machines: Digital Equipment Corporation PDP 8, PDP 11/34, VAX 11/780, IBM 1130, 360/20, 360/30, 360/40, Memorex 50, GE/Honeywell 115 and IBM PC compatibles.

Languages: BASIC (currently Liberty Basic), FORTRAN, ALGOL, COBOL, RPG, C, Delphi. Assembly languages for the PDP 11, PDP 8, MRX 50, and microprocessors 6800, 6801, 6802, 6805, 6809, 6811, 6812, 68000, 8080, Z80, 6502, 8086, PIC 16Cxx, 8051 and clones, Rabbit 2000, TI MSP430, and Freescale MC86HC912. And most recently, HTML with CSS.

Programs: Debuggers, Assemblers, Cross-assemblers, Compilers, Javelin (spreadsheet) and Microsoft Excel, WordStar, Brief, NoteTab, Word perfect, Microsoft Word Etc...

Operating Systems: Digital Equipment Corporation VMS & TSS, Microsoft DOS, DesqView, IBM OS2, Microsoft Windows 3.1 thru XP.

(Recent computer skills underlined).

PATENT

Adaptable electronic key and lock system
US Patent # 5477041 issued on December 19, 1995
Inventors: Vance E. Neff and Nancy C. Miron
Assignee: Computerized Security System, Incorporated
Claim: For a detailed description of claim

EXPERIENCE

Sept. 1994 to Present
Vance's Consulting Co.
1335 Fernwood Dr.
Lapeer, Michigan 48446
Self-Employed

Continue to generate and maintain hotel locking systems software. This includes magnetic, smart, memory and prox. card encoders, IR & RF communication interfaces, a proprietary 485 network, TCP/IP & TCP/UDP network interface (from scratch), USB mass storage interface, handheld user devices, and various interfaces to other systems. Generate and maintain software for Point of Sale customer interface units. This involves multilingual support of debit, credit, and various benefits selection and processing as well as survey capability. Another aspect of this is interfacing to a variety of POS platforms.

Apr. 1985 to Sept. 1994
Structured Interface, Inc.
1358 Rankin St., Troy, Michigan 48083
Software development
Vice-president

Generated software/hardware solutions to customers' needs. Coordinated, participated with, and followed up with other programmers to accomplish product development. Maintained company's collection of PCs. Project areas included Hotel locking systems, industrial battery monitors and charger controllers, dental equipment, cryonics monitor and level controller.

Sept. 1977 to Mar 1985
GTE Valeron Corporation
Digital Techniques
Supervisor of the computer department

Managed the R & D computer which was the DEC PDP 11/34 and then replaced it with the DEC VAX 11/780. Designed, scheduled and assigned software projects. Project areas included metal cutting gauging systems, metal cutting power consumption monitors, and internal requirements.

Sept. 1975 to May 1976
Union College
Program for under advantaged students
Teacher

Structured and conducted a class to bring the attending students up to the level of Calculus I. This included coverage of algebra, trigonometry, and geometry, and quite a bit of outside tutoring.

May 1972 to May 1974
Systek, Inc.
Part time programmer

Responsible for miscellaneous program support using COBOL, FORTRAN and RPG. These programs involved mail response survey and trend analysis, file conversion utilities and account receivable/payable.

EDUCATION

Sept. 1977 to May 1982
Lawrence Institute of Technology
Major: Electrical Engineering

Sept. 1975 to May 1977
Union College
Major: Electrical Engineering
Within 1.3 trimesters of bachelor.

Sept. 1973 to May 1975
Berkshire Community College
Major: Engineering
Minor: Computer science
2 associate degrees

Member number:10060
Additional Contact information is available on the Information Page.
Software Contractors' Guild (www.scguild.com)
Copyright(c) 1995 - 2006 Vance Neff and Software Contractors' Guild, 3 Country Club Dr., #303, Manchester, NH USA 03102