Black Pearl Computing Ltd.

Black Pearl Logo

Black Pearl Computing Ltd.

995 Cowerd Road * Cobble Hll, B.C. * Canada * V0R 1L4
http://blackpearlcomputing.com

Background Info

Black Pearl Computing Ltd. is a British Columbia corporation, formed in September of 1987 to address the computer related service needs of individuals, and the business, education and government communities.
An original founder, Colin Woytowich, continues as President today.
Over the past decade and a half, Black Pearl has provided a wide range of services for our diverse client-base. Some examples of contracts completed by Black Pearl include:

Many computer network projects.

Abaton - programming software for the low level testing of SCSI hard drives;

Belvoir Hall, Saanichton BC - We were contracted by the owner, during the design stage, to automate her 16,000 square foot mansion. Black Pearl's responsibility in this project included liaising with the building contractor to specify the systems and controls for lighting, HVAC and the internal data network, and to verify their correct operation after installation; working with the security system company (ADT) to provide an automation interface into their alarm system, to connect their motion sensors to the home automation system, and to specify and the video monitoring system to be installed. We also directed the installers for the audio distribution system, and for additional security controls and devices.
The system we designed provides manual, remote and automated lighting control of over 200 circuits and for 10 separate thermostats controlling the HVAC systems. In addition to ADT's internal alarm system we provided an additional layer of security allowing external monitoring and alarms as well as enhanced internal security features - we cannot provide further details due to client confidentiality.
Remote access includes internal control within the home from a number of touchscreen appliances running QNX (unix), computers on the internal LAN and WiLAN, as well as access from anywhere in the world using a computer and a secure internet connection through the firewall we installed and configured.
The video cameras can be accessed and remotely controlled (pan and tilt) to provide monitoring for a variety of locations. Visual access is possible using the touchscreens, or a computer and web browser viewing still images that are updated every 30 seconds. Video-streaming to a MS Windows computer at 15-20 fps is possible either internally or through the Internet.
Our programming included: serial port drivers to interface the home automation software to the alarm system, software for touch-screen hardware for automation control, database programming to maintain a log of all alarm system accesses, integration of multiple video cameras into a single access point, software to use the security sensors to automatically turn on lights when motion is detected even if the alarm system is disabled (we modified the circuit boards on several inexpensive automation controllers to provide a cost-effective solution for this automation task), and many other snippets and applets.
The automation servers also provide the owner with her own email and web servers internal within her house.

Ben Simon Publications - custom computer system for tracking sales, shipping/receiving, taxes (Canada and US offices and warehouses) of a book publishing house. LAN installation and training on internet telecommunications. We continue to provide web site hosting, network and internet support.

Career Education Society - provide the technical expertise to put together a CD and web site titled "Labour Market Information: The Virtual LMI Toolkit". We hosted this website for several years.

Cooperative Education & Work Education Association of Canada - create web site and .pdf version of "EnCAPsulating Career, Coop & Work Experience for Secondary Students.

Cowichan District Branch of C.U.E. B.C. - facilitator, trainer, and troubleshooter for annual MacTech Camp (1991-1996);

Digital Equipment Corporation - instructor and facilitator for Macintosh network managers' course.

Educare - programmed a complex Filemaker Pro database system that provides tracking for Books, Publishers, POs, Invoices, the creation of electronic catalogs, printing of labels, and also exporting financial data into QuickBooks. We have also provided internet support and HTML training.

Flynn Brothers Printing - custom computer system for tracking: Clients, Sales Rep activity and Quotation information.

For Good Measure Premium Bulk Foods, MercuryMarket.ca and NutsOnTheNet.ca - engaged to provide an internet presence and e-commerce web site. Work included: web site design and programming, database programming, and e-commerce programming that included both PayPal and real-time credit card processing that uses the Beanstream direct interface for maximum savings on credit card charges. E-commerce programming included writing real-time triple DES encryption routines (as required by Beanstream for their direct interface). We exceeded the minimum specification by designing the system to use rotating random keys for added customer security. The system uses a full email notification system for order and payment tracking for customers and for the vendor.
In addition to the programming, we also configured, set up and installed a secure server at the client's location. This process included: domain name registrations, SSL certificate request and installation, firewall configuration, remote access for updates and monitoring. We continue to provide on-going, automated, 7/24 server monitoring and reboot services (using custom software we have written and a home automation control module) should the server or firewall go off-line.

Glenlyon-Norfolk House Private Schools - many jobs and contracts including: network consulting, implementation and support; troubleshooting; implementing firewalls for all three campuses; technology planning; the installation and training for a FirstClass Collaborative Classroom server on the Junior Boys Campus; and the merger of the three distinct library servers into a single centralized server accessible not only locally in the libraries, but also to staff, students and parents remotely over the Internet.

Island View Freezer - MS Windows system for tracking: Clients, Pricing, Invoices, Deliveries, Inventory.

Lambrick Park Secondary School Wood Products Program - provided the technical expertise to evaluate and display the data collected from a wood drying kiln onto a website on the Internet (in real time). The web site (drykiln.sd61.bc.ca) was created by Black Pearl Computing and is a WoodLINKS Project involving a number of partners including: Koetter Dry Kilns, Lignomat USA, Weyerhaeuser's South Island Timberlands Div., WoodLINKS, Black Pearl Computing Ltd., Forest Renewal British Columbia, School District 61 (Victoria) and Lambrick Park Secondary School's Wood Products Manufacturing Technology Program.

Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries - maintenance contract supporting/upgrading a multi-user database for the management of Game Farm Licensing and Game Farm Animals in BC. Contracted 8/94 to re-write Game Farm Licensing software from scratch.

Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks - many projects including the design, programming and training for a job classification log system, a cross-platform (Macintosh, DOS and Windows) Training Needs Tracking System; and a Job Task Analysis Management System. Contract trainer for System Services Branch Staff in Macintosh Operating System 7.1 and at EUSA conference October/93, advanced MS Excel and FoxBase+/Mac (summer 1994).

Multitech Environmental Assets Corporation - the creation, hosting and marketing of two commercial web sites providing ecommerce with full (secure) online credit card ordering.

Nunavut Arctic College - upgrade and convert an existing Macintosh-based FirstClass Collaborative Classroom onto a Windows 2000 server (http://fc.nac.nu.ca/).

Royal Oak Burial Park - Windows NT database system for tracking all aspects of their business. A separate project required database tools to exchange and synchronize data with the Genealogy Society of Victoria.

Saanich Tribal School Board - custom computer program for archiving the Sencoten Language (displaying and organizing data according to the Sencoten alphabet). The program provides entry, and retrieval of words and phrases, english definitions, and the ability to create a dictionary preserving this language. We implemented, customized and trained on the new student information software purchased by the school (SWD).

School District 61 - many varied projects including: intensive LAN/WAN Consulting (for approximately 20 schools); contract Technical Support Services for Skills Now Projects (approximately 30 schools); and school computer system maintenance, support and troubleshooting (Mount Douglas Senior Secondary, Lambrick Park, SJ Willis, Oak Bay, and many others). We created the original SD 61 Career Programs web site. We established and supported the district's FirstClass Collaborative Classroom email server for 5 years, until it was taken in-house by their Information Systems Department. We continue to support several school-based servers.

School District 63 - many projects including: student database system; database for tracking area key assignments; student busing transportation system; and network design, evaluation, and maintenance. Establishing a geographic information system (GIS) for transportation planning. Scanner interface software. LAN design installation and maintenance (Macintosh LAN with connectivity to Novell LAN). The installation, configuration, and technical support for two FirstClass servers (including a forms-based system for Requests for Services from schools).

School District 64 - Installation, and configuration of FirstClass electronic mail system.

School District 79 - design and implementation of a database driven "Teacher on Call Scheduler" for the Internet. This system utilizes clickable calendars and is used daily to book events and substitute teachers for the Cowichan School District (TOC Scheduler). We have also provided troubleshooting for the district's webserver, and programming and troubleshooting for the School District's Resource Center Catalogue.

Skywire Tech Network Solutions - create a simple web site. Create an online database system allowing technicians to remotely create and print invoices using a web browser (http://www.skywiretech.com).

Vancouver Island Health Authority (Victoria General Hospital) - contracted to re-write and significantly enhance a single user Filemaker Pro Macintosh cytobiology application to be a fully secure multi-user Filemaker Pro Cytobiology Database System running on an NT 5 server. In order to complete this project we were required to learn about cytobiology, scanning electron microscopes, and medical reporting procedures. Additional contracts (as recently as 4/2004) have included: the creation of an incident reporting system and further enhancements to the Cytobiology Database System.

Black Pearl has programmed a number of software applications which are/were sold commercially including: Raiders from Vanum (Macintosh game); ContoursPro (3D terrain modeling and contour mapping); LockUp (workstation security); PlotSpool (a utility for background plotting of CAD drawings over a network). Seven Pack (utilities for system 7), 'Pressor (data encryption and compression), Viewer (graphics previewer), and many other utility programs, including NetClockSync (network time server), custom Macintosh multimedia screen savers (Sleeper, RompusSleeper and LockOut contracted for distribution by several companies).
Black Pearl Computing Ltd continues to support a wide range of home office, small office, professional, entrepreneurial, corporate and public clients. We provide advice, custom programming, troubleshooting and technical support, database and Internet support, and web site development.

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©1998-2001 Black Pearl Computing Ltd.
Prepared: 2/1/98 | Last updated: 10/8/2006 16:13
wizard@blackpearlcomputing.com


		Black Pearl Computing Ltd. 995 Cowerd Road * Cobble Hll, B.C. * Canada * V0R 1L4 http://blackpearlcomputing.com

		Background Info Black Pearl Computing Ltd. is a British Columbia corporation, formed in September of 1987 to address the computer related service needs of individuals, and the business, education and government communities. An original founder, Colin Woytowich, continues as President today. Over the past decade and a half, Black Pearl has provided a wide range of services for our diverse client-base. Some examples of contracts completed by Black Pearl include: Many computer network projects. Abaton - programming software for the low level testing of SCSI hard drives; Belvoir Hall, Saanichton BC - We were contracted by the owner, during the design stage, to automate her 16,000 square foot mansion. Black Pearl's responsibility in this project included liaising with the building contractor to specify the systems and controls for lighting, HVAC and the internal data network, and to verify their correct operation after installation; working with the security system company (ADT) to provide an automation interface into their alarm system, to connect their motion sensors to the home automation system, and to specify and the video monitoring system to be installed. We also directed the installers for the audio distribution system, and for additional security controls and devices. The system we designed provides manual, remote and automated lighting control of over 200 circuits and for 10 separate thermostats controlling the HVAC systems. In addition to ADT's internal alarm system we provided an additional layer of security allowing external monitoring and alarms as well as enhanced internal security features - we cannot provide further details due to client confidentiality. Remote access includes internal control within the home from a number of touchscreen appliances running QNX (unix), computers on the internal LAN and WiLAN, as well as access from anywhere in the world using a computer and a secure internet connection through the firewall we installed and configured. The video cameras can be accessed and remotely controlled (pan and tilt) to provide monitoring for a variety of locations. Visual access is possible using the touchscreens, or a computer and web browser viewing still images that are updated every 30 seconds. Video-streaming to a MS Windows computer at 15-20 fps is possible either internally or through the Internet. Our programming included: serial port drivers to interface the home automation software to the alarm system, software for touch-screen hardware for automation control, database programming to maintain a log of all alarm system accesses, integration of multiple video cameras into a single access point, software to use the security sensors to automatically turn on lights when motion is detected even if the alarm system is disabled (we modified the circuit boards on several inexpensive automation controllers to provide a cost-effective solution for this automation task), and many other snippets and applets. The automation servers also provide the owner with her own email and web servers internal within her house. Ben Simon Publications - custom computer system for tracking sales, shipping/receiving, taxes (Canada and US offices and warehouses) of a book publishing house. LAN installation and training on internet telecommunications. We continue to provide web site hosting, network and internet support. Career Education Society - provide the technical expertise to put together a CD and web site titled "Labour Market Information: The Virtual LMI Toolkit". We hosted this website for several years. Cooperative Education & Work Education Association of Canada - create web site and .pdf version of "EnCAPsulating Career, Coop & Work Experience for Secondary Students. Cowichan District Branch of C.U.E. B.C. - facilitator, trainer, and troubleshooter for annual MacTech Camp (1991-1996); Digital Equipment Corporation - instructor and facilitator for Macintosh network managers' course. Educare - programmed a complex Filemaker Pro database system that provides tracking for Books, Publishers, POs, Invoices, the creation of electronic catalogs, printing of labels, and also exporting financial data into QuickBooks. We have also provided internet support and HTML training. Flynn Brothers Printing - custom computer system for tracking: Clients, Sales Rep activity and Quotation information. For Good Measure Premium Bulk Foods, MercuryMarket.ca and NutsOnTheNet.ca - engaged to provide an internet presence and e-commerce web site. Work included: web site design and programming, database programming, and e-commerce programming that included both PayPal and real-time credit card processing that uses the Beanstream direct interface for maximum savings on credit card charges. E-commerce programming included writing real-time triple DES encryption routines (as required by Beanstream for their direct interface). We exceeded the minimum specification by designing the system to use rotating random keys for added customer security. The system uses a full email notification system for order and payment tracking for customers and for the vendor. In addition to the programming, we also configured, set up and installed a secure server at the client's location. This process included: domain name registrations, SSL certificate request and installation, firewall configuration, remote access for updates and monitoring. We continue to provide on-going, automated, 7/24 server monitoring and reboot services (using custom software we have written and a home automation control module) should the server or firewall go off-line. Glenlyon-Norfolk House Private Schools - many jobs and contracts including: network consulting, implementation and support; troubleshooting; implementing firewalls for all three campuses; technology planning; the installation and training for a FirstClass Collaborative Classroom server on the Junior Boys Campus; and the merger of the three distinct library servers into a single centralized server accessible not only locally in the libraries, but also to staff, students and parents remotely over the Internet. Island View Freezer - MS Windows system for tracking: Clients, Pricing, Invoices, Deliveries, Inventory. Lambrick Park Secondary School Wood Products Program - provided the technical expertise to evaluate and display the data collected from a wood drying kiln onto a website on the Internet (in real time). The web site (drykiln.sd61.bc.ca) was created by Black Pearl Computing and is a WoodLINKS Project involving a number of partners including: Koetter Dry Kilns, Lignomat USA, Weyerhaeuser's South Island Timberlands Div., WoodLINKS, Black Pearl Computing Ltd., Forest Renewal British Columbia, School District 61 (Victoria) and Lambrick Park Secondary School's Wood Products Manufacturing Technology Program. Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries - maintenance contract supporting/upgrading a multi-user database for the management of Game Farm Licensing and Game Farm Animals in BC. Contracted 8/94 to re-write Game Farm Licensing software from scratch. Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks - many projects including the design, programming and training for a job classification log system, a cross-platform (Macintosh, DOS and Windows) Training Needs Tracking System; and a Job Task Analysis Management System. Contract trainer for System Services Branch Staff in Macintosh Operating System 7.1 and at EUSA conference October/93, advanced MS Excel and FoxBase+/Mac (summer 1994). Multitech Environmental Assets Corporation - the creation, hosting and marketing of two commercial web sites providing ecommerce with full (secure) online credit card ordering. Nunavut Arctic College - upgrade and convert an existing Macintosh-based FirstClass Collaborative Classroom onto a Windows 2000 server (http://fc.nac.nu.ca/). Royal Oak Burial Park - Windows NT database system for tracking all aspects of their business. A separate project required database tools to exchange and synchronize data with the Genealogy Society of Victoria. Saanich Tribal School Board - custom computer program for archiving the Sencoten Language (displaying and organizing data according to the Sencoten alphabet). The program provides entry, and retrieval of words and phrases, english definitions, and the ability to create a dictionary preserving this language. We implemented, customized and trained on the new student information software purchased by the school (SWD). School District 61 - many varied projects including: intensive LAN/WAN Consulting (for approximately 20 schools); contract Technical Support Services for Skills Now Projects (approximately 30 schools); and school computer system maintenance, support and troubleshooting (Mount Douglas Senior Secondary, Lambrick Park, SJ Willis, Oak Bay, and many others). We created the original SD 61 Career Programs web site. We established and supported the district's FirstClass Collaborative Classroom email server for 5 years, until it was taken in-house by their Information Systems Department. We continue to support several school-based servers. School District 63 - many projects including: student database system; database for tracking area key assignments; student busing transportation system; and network design, evaluation, and maintenance. Establishing a geographic information system (GIS) for transportation planning. Scanner interface software. LAN design installation and maintenance (Macintosh LAN with connectivity to Novell LAN). The installation, configuration, and technical support for two FirstClass servers (including a forms-based system for Requests for Services from schools). School District 64 - Installation, and configuration of FirstClass electronic mail system. School District 79 - design and implementation of a database driven "Teacher on Call Scheduler" for the Internet. This system utilizes clickable calendars and is used daily to book events and substitute teachers for the Cowichan School District (TOC Scheduler). We have also provided troubleshooting for the district's webserver, and programming and troubleshooting for the School District's Resource Center Catalogue. Skywire Tech Network Solutions - create a simple web site. Create an online database system allowing technicians to remotely create and print invoices using a web browser (http://www.skywiretech.com). Vancouver Island Health Authority (Victoria General Hospital) - contracted to re-write and significantly enhance a single user Filemaker Pro Macintosh cytobiology application to be a fully secure multi-user Filemaker Pro Cytobiology Database System running on an NT 5 server. In order to complete this project we were required to learn about cytobiology, scanning electron microscopes, and medical reporting procedures. Additional contracts (as recently as 4/2004) have included: the creation of an incident reporting system and further enhancements to the Cytobiology Database System. Black Pearl has programmed a number of software applications which are/were sold commercially including: Raiders from Vanum (Macintosh game); ContoursPro (3D terrain modeling and contour mapping); LockUp (workstation security); PlotSpool (a utility for background plotting of CAD drawings over a network). Seven Pack (utilities for system 7), 'Pressor (data encryption and compression), Viewer (graphics previewer), and many other utility programs, including NetClockSync (network time server), custom Macintosh multimedia screen savers (Sleeper, RompusSleeper and LockOut contracted for distribution by several companies). Black Pearl Computing Ltd continues to support a wide range of home office, small office, professional, entrepreneurial, corporate and public clients. We provide advice, custom programming, troubleshooting and technical support, database and Internet support, and web site development.
	Top \| Home \| Info \| Services \| Contact \| Tools \| Links \| Map ©1998-2001 Black Pearl Computing Ltd. Prepared: 2/1/98 \| Last updated: 10/8/2006 16:13 wizard@blackpearlcomputing.com