As the founder of Double First Ltd many years ago, I can’t tell you how proud I am of the staff’s achievement to have produced Engage, a School Management Information Software (MIS) which is respected worldwide by leading fee-paying schools.
How did it all start?
I’d been to see my neice in Bahrain in 2008 who was teaching at the 2,200 pupil St Christopher’s School. Whilst there, she took me see the school and during the tour I was introduced to the Principal, Ed Goodwin OBE. Having been asked what I did I was asked to come back and talk about our Engage software with the school’s IT Manager and Database Manager.
And that’s where it started. In St Christopher’s conference room, where for a number of days we unravelled why their five previous softwares had all failed and what needed to be developed for Engage to adopted.
Three stage plan
We agreed a three stage plan:
- Stage 1 defined the capability that had to be available on the launch day
- Stage 2 had to be achieved within 6 months, thereafter
- Stage 3 was to be developed ‘at some time in the reasonable future’
Exporting
Well, little did we know what would be involved in exporting. Quite apart from the many financial implications, each country had its own specific requirements whether in producing government reports, using multiple languages and differing curricula and marksheets to name but a few.
And finally, but most importantly, how to support countries world-wide. In the years since 2008, all has been achieved.
Enter Barry Anns
Having retired in 2013, I left Double First Ltd in the very capable hands of Barry Anns, CEO, to whom I must extend my thanks and congratulations for guiding Double First Ltd so well and in such a focussed manner. With the skill of Paul Rastall (CTO), both Barry and Paul have enabled the staff to produce our world class Engage software which has won the prestigious and coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
For the full report ion the achievement, read here.
Thank you.
Piers
from the saloon of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55
