| Contract Software Developer | Jan 2009 - Current |
| Ben Limited | Whangarei & Auckland |
- Developed iOS augmented reality storyboarding app (2023)
- Developed iOS and Android native prototypes for {THE AND}, with Xequals Ltd (2018-2019)
- Ongoing IT consultancy to Darkroom, a design studio (2014-2024)
- Developed prototypes of automotive tuning and diagnostic apps (2015)
- Lead developer of Acoustic monitoring plugin for Milestone XProtect, contracted to Acoustics Enforcement NZ Ltd (2015-2024)
Worked with:
- MS Visual Studio
- C#, XAML, RedGate SmartAssembly
- Swift, SwiftUI, Core Image
- Milestone XProtect, Milestone Integration Platform
- Java
- WebRTC
| Lead Developer | Aug 2011 - Aug 2022 |
| LuckyBulldozer | Auckland |
A creative conjunction between Dan Monaghan and Ben Torkington. Dan and Ben worked together in the film industry in the 90's, and have found a passion for three dimensional art.
- Developed Flotogram - 2017 - augmented reality iOS app: iOS App Store
- Executive Producer & VFX Developer for Sifted - 2013 - short film: Vimeo | Projects
- Developed DotSwarm - 2013 - a 3D modelling and rendering app used to make Sifted: Projects
- Image processing for Gazillion with Reuben Paterson at Auckland Art Gallery - 2011 - a forced-perspective art installation: Projects
| Operations Manager | Mar 2014 - Aug 2015 |
| Leading Solutions | Auckland |
Led the transformation from legacy systems, which improved efficiency. Key areas tranformed:
- Invoicing, creditor management, wages and reporting
- Warehouse management: Inventory levels, order fulfilment and stock replenishment
- Transitioned the company to cloud-based inventory and accounting systems
- Integrated dispatch system with courier booking system
| Network Manager | May 2005 - Dec 2008 |
| PMP Print | Auckland |
PMP (NZ) acquired Times Media Group's printing facility in Warkworth, where I had previously worked. They invited me to return to facilitate the integration of the facility with their systems. From there, I moved to the national head office in Auckland, took over management of the nationwide network, and supported the group's other print facilities in Auckland and Christchurch.
- Faciliated upgrade from terminal-based business intelligence to rich-client Windows based
- Transitioned server infrastructure to multi-zone VMWare ESX
- Implemented enterprise IT backup system
- Devised and implemented IT Disaster Recovery Plan
Worked with:
- Windows Server 2003, 2008
- Active Directory
- Exchange Server
- SQLServer 2005
- VMWare ESX
- EMC SANs
- Cisco routers and switches
- Shop floor data collection
- Crystal Reports
| Software developer | May 2005 - May 2006 |
| Leigh Fisheries | Leigh, Auckland |
- Developed a VB6 application for managing foreign currency contracts
- Developed a customised invoicing system, and transitioned the company from manual paper-based invoicing and dispatch
Other responsibilities included:
- invoicing international customers in multiple currencies
- integration with shop-floor weighing and labelling systems
- interoperation with catch-quota management systems
| Systems Administrator | May 2004 - May 2005 |
| Retail Expertise | Auckland |
- Maintained company infrastructure and supported software development team
- Supported retail POS and stock replenishment systems at customer sites including Red Rat, Hallensteins, Pagani, #1 Shoes, Discount Shoe Warehouse, Postie Plus
- Set up and maintained VPN systems for the Australian Way chain store
- Maintained warehouse picking technology at Hallensteins
- Migrated Retail Expertise from traditional PBX to Asterisk VoIP
- Implemented open-source mail filtering with Postfix & Spamassasin
Worked with
- Windows Server 2000, 2003
- Exchange Server
- Active Directory
- SQLServer 7, 2000
- Linux
- Asterisk
| Multiple Roles | Feb 2000 - May 2004 |
| Times Media Group | Warkworth, Auckland |
Scanner Operator for Rodney Times (Feb - Jun 2000)
- Transitioned newsroom from film to digital photography
- Daily scanning and touch-ups of news, real estate, and commercial photographs
- Assisted with page layout and general production tasks
- Hardware maintenance of production Macs
Group Systems Support (Jun 2000 - Jun 2002)
Provided IT support for a large printing facility, the newspaper office and branch offices:
- Shop floor data collection on print machinery
- Automated print quality control systems
- Pre-press support
- Timekeeping systems
- Designed and produced operational reports
- LAN administration
Digital Prepress Operator (Jun 2002 - May 2004)
- Checked client-supplied PDFs for publication
- Prepared colour separations for printing
- Automated processes for print impositions, reducing errors
Worked with:
- Agfa Horizon computer-to-plate systems
- Agfa Apogee prepress imposition software
- Adobe PostScript
- Adobe Acrobat & preflight
| Assistant Film Editor | 1998 |
| Freelance | Auckland |
Working with Avid Media Composer and 35mm film. Developed an app to support a pos-conform process in which the digital rough-cut of What Becomes of the Broken Hearted was finalized on film.
Assistant editor roles included:
- What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)
- Lawless (1999)
| Stockfile Manager | May 1997 - Dec 1997 |
| Warkworth Mitre 10 | Warkworth, Auckland |
- Migrated store to computer based point of sale (Pacsoft)
- Automated the stock replenishment system
- Managed and improved accuracy of the stockfile.
| Helpdesk Technician | Sep 1995 - Dec 1995 |
| IHUG Limited | Auckland |
Miscellaneous technical support, including on-site client support and technical writing.
- Phone and online support for PC & Mac users
- Routine modem fleet testing and swapping
- Maintain support software repository
- Processing new user applications
| Helpdesk Technician | May 1995 - Sep 1995 |
| Internet Company of New Zealand | Auckland |
Miscellaneous technical support, including on-site client support and technical writing.
- Phone and online support for PC & Mac users
- Maintain support software repository
- Processing new user applications