Rishworth Aviation
"Ian was contracted as a IT consultant to help manage a CRM system and Infrastructure implementation and also provide support and information to myself throughout this process. Ian supplied very valuable information as well as acted as a mentor during the Project. I always found Ian to be prompt, polite and his resources and information very useful. This project would not have got to the stage where it is now without his help and support."
Janine Mitchell, Marketing and Systems, Auckland, 2009.
Restaurant Brands NZ Ltd
"I had the very good fortune to form an association with Ian in 1998. The year prior to this Ian almost single-handedly implemented all Information Technology systems into Restaurant Brands. The scope of this project was to identify requirements, identify solutions, recommend and implement technology systems from the ground up for a newly formed but substantially sized public company. The project took over 6 months and the result was systems which are still in place today. Restaurant Brands has since grown to be a NZ$300 million company with over 6,500 staff, servicing several hundred thousand customers each week.
In 2002, Restaurant Brands identified a need to review Point of Sale systems that are utilised in the hundreds of thousands of transactions that occur weekly. The scope of the project was to run an RFP process in constant consultation with the operations staff. Ian played two key roles in this process. Firstly, Ian acted as a mentor to the process, lending his vast experience to the project as it evolved through the various critical phases that a procurement exercise of this magnitude must take. Secondly, Ian provided the back-up plan to the process, should anything have happened to key personnel during the process, Restaurant Brands had the assurance of a very experienced hand watching over as things progressed - able to pick up if and where necessary.
I cannot speak highly enough of Ian Howard. His knowledge, professionalism, realism and compassion are attributes not often found in the same person. Ian's ability to strategically align business needs with technology possibilities has been invaluable as the RFP process has progressed. Ian has many close contacts and can recommend an appropriate IT professional (usually from personal experience) for any need a business may have. While Ian calls things 'as they are' rather than beating around the bush as some are inclined to do, he also uses many methods to vigorously explore alternatives.
Personally, I have admired Ian's approach, work ethics and helpfulness. I would be more than happy to recommend Ian in any similar capacity or role he may find suitable."
Simon Gutschlag, Systems Projects Manager, Auckland, 2002.
Maclean Computing
"We have worked with Ian Howard for a number of years, across many projects. Ian is an independent contractor, but we often find ourselves working for the same project and, in some cases, we have had cause to recommend him as a consultant to other clients of ours. His forthright, though deep analysis, plus his long-developed toolset, enable him to gain a good understanding of clients' requirements, to the benefit of all."
Allan Maclean, Managing Director, Auckland, 2009.
"Maclean Computing engaged Ian Howard to lead a Strategic Workshop for the company in March 2003. The prime objective was to establish a 5 year plan and a 12 month 'Action Plan' embodying relevant principles from Jim Collins' "Good to Great" where appropriate.
The project was attacked with energy and enthusiasm, commencing with extensive pre-workshop planning and team interviews. Ian's skills, focus and personable style ensured that the day was a great success and achieved the objectives, delivering a clear, prioritised action plan - with accountabilities defined and ready to implement.
We would not hesitate to recommend him to other organisations with similar goals."
Allan Maclean, Managing Director, Auckland, 2003.
Hesketh Henry, Lawyers and Notaries.
"We engaged Ian Howard and his company in early 2002 to manage the process by which we would install new hardware and assess and install new firm management and knowledge software across our entire firm this year.
Our dealings with Ian have lead us to the conclusion that he is honest and experienced with sound expertise. We have found Ian's affable nature, and his understanding of both the commercial and human aspects of our business, of great assistance in achieving the goals we have set ourselves."
E. Bachmann, Managing Partner, Auckland, 2003.
"I was engaged by Hesketh Henry in 2002 to assist with the process of reviewing its hardware and software technology items. This resulted in a project to install new hardware infrastructure equipment and new firm and knowledge management software for the firm.
At the commencement of this project I meet with Ian Howard who was appointed as the director for that project. Ian successfully directed the complex process which involved creating definition of the business needs for Hesketh Henry while demonstrating empathy for the firm's personnel. In my view, Ian demonstrated excellent know-how. I place great value on his views, approach and knowledge.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Ian to organisations wishing to implement major projects on the basis of the proven process that does work which he has developed. While my project role continues with Hesketh Henry, I would without reservation work with Ian on future projects and consider Ian to be an outstanding consultant available to the business community."
Justin Cox, Project Management and IT Consultant, Auckland, 2003.
Siemens Energy Services
"Ian has assisted in completing 2 projects and run a program management program for Siemens in the last 18 months.
The two projects, namely a payroll implementation, completed on time and on budget, and for procurement of a partner to assist SES to migrate to Citrix and migrate our network from another company. This project completed in very tight timeframes to a desired outcome.
I have found Ian to be an excellent programme manager in pulling all the threads of an organisations effort together to ensure that Siemens met its stated goals and targets. He is very direct in his approach to ensure that all parties know exactly what is expected of them.
I have known Ian and worked with him professionally for 6 years and have found his approach works and he achieves outcomes."
Deane Johns, Corporate IT Manager, Albany, Auckland, 2003.
The Selwyn Foundation
"The Selwyn Foundation is a charitable trust charged with caring for the elderly. We look after almost 1,000 elderly over four sites and have a staff of approximately 400. At the end of 2001 the Foundation embarked on a programme to upgrade its IT facilities including software, hardware and the infrastructure.
Ian Howard was recommended to us and has acted as a consultant to the Foundation since mid 2001. We initially asked Ian to urgently overview our infrastructure and hardware needs, and propose a process of determining a solution due to the dire straights of our network. Ian was able to identify a way forward and a vendor. The infrastructure has been successfully implemented.
Ian subsequently advised us on the RFP process to source and implement a suitable financial software solution. The Foundation called on Ian's expertise to assist us in defining our needs, designing the RFP, sourcing vendors, analysing RFPs, negotiating with vendors and planning and managing the implementation of the financial software.
We found Ian to be most knowledgeable and professional. He displays great competency in the analysis and formulating of the overall picture whilst at the same time is fully conversant of the technical issues at ground level. He has excellent people skills and builds superb networks with IT professionals and vendors. He approaches the assignments in a down to earth yet analytical manner and produces the results required. Ian has been enormously helpful to the Foundation throughout the entire process and I have no reservations in recommending Ian in this capacity."
Fred Pau, Chief Financial Officer, Point Chevalier, Auckland, 2003.
Waitemata Health, North Shore City, New Zealand.
"I have known Ian Howard since 1997, at first as a committee member of the Auckland Branch of the NZ Computer society, and subsequently in his professional capacity as a consultant while I was CIO at Waitemata Health.
I can confirm that Ian was responsible for the work decribed in his CV as Y2K Readiness Framework and Business Continuity Planning for Waitemata Health. The work was supervised by Ian in his capacity as lead consultant. When Ian took up responsibility for this work, the organisation was many months behind. Ian and his team were successful in getting the work back on track, and no significant Y2K issues eventuated for the organisation.
Ian was also engaged on a number of other smaller assignments. I have sought his advice, on both a professional and pro bono basis on a number of ad-hoc occasions over the years.
In all my dealings with him, I have always found Ian to be knowledgeable, capable, professional and courteous. He is willing to extend himself considerably to achieve results, and works hard at maintaining relationships. I would not hesitate to recommend Ian's services for project management or consulting work."
R. P. Delany, Formerly CIO Waitemata Health
Group Manager NZ Health Information Service, Wellington, 2003
The University of Auckland Business School
"I have known Ian since the early 1990s, from our work at the Advisory Board of the Department of IS & Computing at UNITEC. Also I cooperated with Ian during his involvement with the New Zealand Computer Society, where both of us served as National Councillors.
In 1997 I invited Ian to help me in the running of the Information Systems Project course (INFOSYS340) at the University of Auckland. This is a unique arrangement allowing students to gain real-life experience in the field of designing information systems. The objective is to design and implement a real IT application for a business organisation. Ian supervised many of the most prestigious projects for companies like Vodafone, EDS, Restaurant Brands and many others. Ian's teams were among the best.
The above indicates that I had a rare opportunity to see Ian operating in many, frequently different environment; IT consulting, education and social activities. During our involvement in the many activities mentioned above, I've admired his wide and up-to-date knowledge on information technology, project management and personal skills.
All the above allows me to summarise that I consider Ian as one of the best consultants in the field of managing information systems projects that I know. This statement is based on my 25 years experience in the field of information technology covering work on 5 continents and in over 20 countries."
Lech Janczewski M.Eng, M.A.Sc, D.Eng, FNZCS.
Associate Professor, Department of Management Science and Information Systems
Auckland, 2002.
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