My Digital Journey Part 1

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8 years ago

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in technology but not for toys and games, I was however the proud owner of a Sinclair ZX Spectrum way back in the 70’s, pipping and popping and trying to load rubbish games from a magnetic cassette tape. No, I was much more interested in useful stuff that could be used in business to save me time and money.

Sinclair ZX Spectrum

After a spell of making a living from being a drummist in a band I started my first business installing and maintaining burglar alarms.

Marty the drummist

In 1978 affordable business computers were a few years away, desktop calculators were becoming popular, capable of dramatically speeding up the day to day maths of running a business.

1985 was the year that Sir Alan Sugar began marketing the Amstrad 256 word processor in the UK, complete with its own printer (I believe it was called ‘Joyce’ in Germany).

Amstrad 256 word processor

The TV ads showed businesses throwing out their old typewriters to replace them with this remarkable and affordable bit of kit. I had to have one! This was amazing, I could type my own letters, quotes and documents without having to use a corrector solution when I made a mistake, I could simply delete and type again, not only that but later models even had a spell check. No need for an admin assistant yet and I could save everything to disk.

The following year Amstrad produced a larger 512 bit model, I bought one of those as well and by this time a number of software companies were producing software for its unique 3 inch floppy disk.

Amstrad 512 word processor

The next stage was to get rid of my card index and use a database to file all my customer details and service records. Customer rings up for service and at the press of a couple of keyboard buttons. bingo, I could see a complete record of service they had received from my company, together with invoices issued and payments made without going to a filing cabinet or flicking through hundred of cards. I believe this gave me an important edge over my competitors. Great customer service experience.

Burglar Alarm

Although I take an interest in new business technology I have never been tempted to study the programming side, I don’t need to know how they work, I just need to know how to use technology to leverage maximum potential. I drive a car but wouldn’t know where to start if it breaks down (even these are plugged into a diagnostics computer nowadays).

Over the years I developed my security business, always keeping pace with technology, both for administration and sales products. Fast forward to 2001, large national companies were taking an interest in buying my business so in 2002 I decided to sell up (an offer I couldn’t refuse) and retire from the cut throat world of electronic security. I managed to secure a top dollar price for my business due mainly to the value of my maintenance contracts and admin systems.

Part 2 to be continued..

What’s Your Digital Journey?