About Russ Casey

I am an IT consultant based in Cambridge, UK. I specialise in creating solutions to public sector needs using the latest web technology. I have worked with the Firmstep (now Granicus) Platform for over 20 years, delivering many projects that have provided lasting value. I helped start Firmstep (then Business Web Software) back in 2001, and developed the first version of AchieveForms before moving to a client-facing role developing training courses, implementing the products on site and guiding the ongoing development of the technology.

My specialty lies in extending Firmstep technology to integrate with 3rd party system APIs, external data sources, and other technologies such as SQL, SOAP, QR code scanning, Webcams and Signature capture to deliver solutions that change the way that customer requests are handled, providing some amazing savings for our clients.

I work directly with your staff and stakeholders to understand your requirements, produce a design, and then create and deploy a solution.

Projects

Recent success stories include:

In this post-COVID19 world, I've been busy making a variety of booking systems...
- Ad-hoc calendar bookings for internal hot desks. This displays as a calendar, daily schedule and resource grid within Dash powered by a simple SQL database. All changes are drag+drop.
- Slot bookings for a Nature centre. Up to 12 guests every 30 mins, strictly by prior appointment. Includes ticket printing, discount codes, complex pricing and payments. Back-office have a calendar view in Dash to see customer bookings by the day/week/month, with the ability to drag+drop 'maintenance' bookings to close off availability as required.
- Event bookings for a variety of fixed-capacity events, including print-at-home tickets and online payments.
Creating a 'Data Analytics' application in Firmstep Dash that presents information from the nightly data extract database. It includes dynamic graphs, search-as-you-type, configurable columns, CSV download, date range filter and row-level permissions.
- Granicus recently announced the upcoming sunset of the 'data dump' feature upon which this application relies. I am currently working on a solution that will work around this limitation to provide the same level of functionality on real-time data.
Expanding a simple 'Request COVID-19 Help' form from sending emails to a full workflow with custom map/grid views to enable the teams processing requests for assistance with prescriptions, wellbeing and food deliveries to be able to accurately track, manage and assign their tasks.
The "Transform Printable" - an easy way to make great-looking PDFs for any form. Now available FREE to the Firmstep user community.
Aiding a range of clients with migrating from 'Old AchieveForms' to the latest Firmstep Platform technology
Developing a proof of concept QR code generator/scanner inside Firmstep Forms that led to an award winning project
Preparing webcam, signature capture, and printable map extensions to Firmstep Forms
Creating reusable solutions for 'Fix my street', 'Contact/Complaints', 'Freedom of Information' and more

Technology

Awesome Consulting Services work with you to create really great customer interactions that feed efficient back-office processes. Our personal, hands on approach can help councils and businesses use the latest technology to best effect. I specialise in the following technologies:

Firmstep / Granicus

The Firmstep / Granicus Platform is an excellent basis upon which to build end-to-end workflows that provide efficient and streamlined customer interactions. The technology allows a single workflow to be designed to meet the needs of self-service and mediated access, and then pass the captured information through to the back-office via powerful integration, workflow tasks, and offline mobile capabilities. Our consultants have unparalleled experience with this technology, working for many years directly with Firmstep and its customers.

Web

I have high levels of expertise with HTML/CSS/JS and many popular frameworks for mapping, scripting, styling and managing web content.

Data

I have worked with just about every type of database and are equally comfortable working with mySQL, postgreSQL, or MS SQL Server. I've also worked with Oracle, SimpleDB and even no-sql storage systems such as CouchDB.

Integration

I know all about SOAP Web Services, XSLTs and JSON endpoints too. These technologies provide the vital connection between a web-based customer-facing experience and the back-office data and systems that underpin it.

Cloud

I have experience of arranging cloud hosting for small systems and their supporting content, using technologies such as Amazon AWS - S3 storage, ECS servers and SimpleDB databases.

Hobbies

I recently qualified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and regularly participate in training events, club weekends and expeditions with my local scuba school - 2dive4. The experience has enabled me to engage with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and ability levels while pushing my own limits.

Reference

Dec 2017 - Mar 2019 - David Brown, Director of Client Solutions at Ocorian Ltd, Jersey

"The recent trend for companies to embark on major root and branch re-engineering to bring about (true) Digital Transformation requires not only vision and raw skill but also the ability to impart that to the incumbent management structure.

Russ brings all that and more.

His uncompromising ability to cut through years of entrenched behavioural traits and deliver a cohesive plan and focussed decision points brings huge benefits to any current day Board challenges.

Russ’s undoubted deep technical knowledge, complimented by his desire to fully understand the day to day business process issues, ensures that issues are not only surfaced but well researched and appropriate solutions brought to the fore.

One of the recent programmes we worked on with Russ took an excellent robotic solution that had been deployed to deliver leading edge solutions to both staff and clients and reviewed the underlying support and deployment methods.

Russ took the best .... and made it better"

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About Russ Casey

Projects

Technology

Hobbies

Reference

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