THIS WEEK IN TECTORIA

A community blog celebrating Victoria's booming tech sector

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Archives for October 2015

AbeBooks

October 30, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

 

TotW_AbeBooks

By 8am their office is alive with conference calls to their colleagues in Dusseldorf, Germany, and by the end of the day you’ll hear the cheerful sounds of ping-pong and foosball. AbeBooks was purchased by Amazon in 2008, and other than their team and their reach growing bigger, they’ve maintained their local feel and great office culture.

You may have seen their name multiple times on VIATEC’s Job Board recently with 7 different job openings.

“Hiring the best is very important to us,” commented Alicia Pagnan, HR Business Partner at AbeBooks. “We are always looking for exceptional people to join our team, including super software developers, customer support champions, UX design gurus, dedicated technical and product managers, and motivated marketers. Every employee makes a difference with our empowered style of work.”

AbeBooks is an online marketplace for books. Millions of brand new books, used books, rare books, and out-of-print books are offered for sale through the AbeBooks websites from thousands of booksellers around the world.

“Readers can find bestsellers, collectors can find rare books, students can find new and used textbooks, and treasure hunters can find long-lost books. We connect buyers and sellers via our network of websites.”

Office Olympics Scoreboard
Chair Races

They’re known for having an office environment that has great views and is fun, challenging, passionate and sometimes loud.

“A lot of people attend the gym at lunchtime and we have social events on a regular basis,” commented Pagnan. “It’s a friendly office where we try to ensure staff meet people outside of their teams.”

Although flexible working is a part of their culture, they still trust their staff to get the job done. They also encourage communication, so if you have something to say, you can take it right to senior staff at various meetings or even over the lunch table.

The AbeBooks team can be divided into: Engineers, Operations, Customer Service, Marketing and Finance. They range from interns to staff over 60, they have about 100 people in the Victoria office and another 40 in Germany.

AbeBooks joined the #ILookLikeAnEngineer movement to help spread awareness about gender diversity in tech

AbeBooks joined the #ILookLikeAnEngineer movement to help spread awareness about gender diversity in tech

To be the perfect AbeBooks employee… “You’ve got to be smart. You are going to be challenged by some bright people so that means producing very high caliber work,” explained Pagnan. “You have to be prepared to keep improving your work after absorbing all the feedback. We also like people who put the customer first and are willing to help their colleagues. A sense of humour goes a long way here too.”

AbeBooks is a past VIATEC Food Bank Challenge participant and plans on competing again November 9 – December 4.

“Our experience was very positive. We asked departments to compete against each other in terms of donations and that’s always a recipe for success with so many competitive people here.”

AbeBooks tends to always have a major project or two they’re working on, but they keep the details close to their chest and wouldn’t tell us a thing. We even bribed them with candy.

What they could tell us was that their quest to improve their business for buyers and sellers never ends. E-commerce is always developing, and one of the few constants is change.

“We love the fact that we can work for an e-commerce pioneer while living in this beautiful city,” beamed Pagnan. “We love the fact that many of us can walk or cycle to work (via Galloping Goose), that there’s a collaborative tech community, and that work/life balance is really important here.”

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: abebooks, abebooks.com, amazon, ecommerce, Tectorian of the Week, VIATEC Food Bank Challenge

Paul Hill

October 23, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

otW_PaulHill

He’s a husband and father of three, Architect at xMatters, a member of the expert committee that designed the swagger specification for web APIs, an occasional conference presenter, leader of the local Java Users Group, an open source software contributor, and he occasionally builds things like “Glitch” in his “spare” time. Paul Hill keeps himself very busy and there’s no slowing him down. That’s why he’s our Tectorian of the Week!

Paul is a very proud Canadian, originally from New Zealand. He’s travelled the globe and lived and worked in London where he met his wife. I wouldn’t say they’ve “settled down” in Victoria, but they have chosen this city to live their very busy lives in.

Paul and his family

Paul and his family

Paul blames his addiction for streaming games on KIXEYE Canada where he was an Architect. Today, he helps a very talented team of engineers design systems that provide feature-rich emergency notification to much of the fortune 500.

Paul has built healthcare claim processing systems, ACH cheque transaction warehousing systems, and most recently, an interactive game streaming system called Glitch.

glitch

Glitch is a place where you can go to watch live player broadcasts and mess with their game as you watch. It’s a platform where gamers can connect to an interactive audience, providing a unique level of audience participation.

In other words, it’s a stage for players to entertain viewers.

Viewers who can reach into the game and effect the player. The audience is now part of the game, and the possibilities for unique experiences are endless.

Glitch started with the idea that watching players broadcast could be more than a passive experience.

“After all, it’s a video game, it’s all ones and zeros, so why can’t I change the game? Why can’t I tie the quarterback’s shoelaces before the big play? Why can’t I help her find the resources she needs to survive the night? Why can’t I turn his plasma rifle into a banana and his armor into a ball gown?” questioned Paul.

“The idea bounced around my head for a while, and I bugged a lot of friends about it, before I decided I needed to just go ahead and build it,” commented Paul. “I believe that a great idea and $2.45 will buy you a coffee at Starbucks. I needed to put in the effort to make it a real thing. So I did.”

You can view the demo here, and Glitch itself here. It’s all powered by an API that lives here.

Paul is running a Kickstarter campaign to get a little financial boost to start the engine and then allow Glitch to grow organically. The goal is $48,000

“If I can build something that perpetually improves the lives of others then I get that warm fuzzy feeling like I’ve done something worthwhile with my skills.”

To get involved, you can visit the Kickstarter page and back the project for as little as $1.

Paul is also looking for someone to spice up the kickstarter pitch video, and local hackers who can create mods for host-your-own server games. Contact tbousfield@viatec.ca if you’d like to get connected with him.

“Folks come to Victoria on vacation just to see the place. I can work in the tech sector on leading edge technologies and jump a short flight down to head office in Silicon Valley anytime. What’s not to love?”

 

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: Glitch, Kickstarter Campaign, KIXEYE Canada, Paul Hill, Tectorian of the Week, xMatters

Rod Olafson

October 16, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

TotW_RodOlafson

Rod Olafson: AKA the extraordinaire or SDG (Software Development Guru / So Damn Good). Well, he may have never been called these, but we’re labelling him now. Enjoy the titles, Rod.

If a history book were written on the growth of Victoria’s technology sector, Rod would tag along in each chapter. He’s been in the midst of it all and seen now-giant software companies at their earliest stages. He’s also been involved with VIATEC when they helped transition his company, Magic Kite Software, to a federal corporation. All of this is why he’s our Tectorian of the Week!

HIS STORY

He was born in Vancouver and spent his young, formative years in Townsville, Australia until moving to Victoria when he was 16. Since then, he’s had a life of curiosity, excitement and adventures shaping his impressive career in our technology community and growing a beautiful family in Canada’s paradise.

While in Aussie land, Rod’s father worked for the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). This is where Rod had his first opportunity to play with computers – a mainframe machine owned by the Institute and accessed via paper-printing terminals. Old school when you think of it now, but at the time Rod was intrigued and it opened up a world of possibilities.

Before he even enrolled at university, Rod managed to get into the software community by writing a commercial product for UVic’s Biochemistry Department to track grant money. Pretty impressive for a guy fresh out of highschool!

Also before university, he scored an 8-year gig working for what is now the AXYS Group. While there, he wrote QUIKMap, which he believes to be one of the first ever graphical geographic information system on a microcomputer.

“At the time, there were no GUIs and everything had to be hand-coded: printer drivers, graphical drivers, digitizers, etc,” commented Rod. “You can’t imagine the effort it took to get to the point where you could focus on the product itself!”

Rod left AXYS in 1990 to enroll at the University of Victoria.

“With several years of development experience under my belt, my experience there was a little unusual. Object oriented design was in its infancy and I was both a convert and enthusiastic advocate. I had some great relationships with several of my profs.”

Amongst his professors was Bjorn Freeman-Benson, who was also deeply involved in the Object-Oriented (OO) movement. When Rod graduated from UVic with bright, hopeful eyes, Bjorn was running an office for Object Technology International (OTI) and hired Rod as the Development Team Lead. OTI’s focus was Smalltalk development and their clients were the likes of NASA, Mitsubishi, Honda, and Credit Suisse.

IBM eventually bought OTI and the various offices were slowly closed down. Rod had an opportunity to move to an IBM office elsewhere but chose to stay in Victoria, a decision that would be repeated throughout his career. There’s no place like home!

From OTI, Rod joined Voice Mobility as the Development Manager where him and his team of outstanding developers designed an amazing new telephony system from the ground up.

After Voice Mobility, Rod continued the Development Manager role in 2000, but this time with ACD Systems (now ACDSee), one of the largest and most respected independent digital image editing and management companies in the world.

“Rod was like a machine when it came to sticking to a process; he would not deviate!” described Colin How, past Director of Operations/Globalization of ACDSee. “Many times, as an ideas person, I had been frustrated by this. But now all these years later I finally get it. Rod gets s$#t done.”

Rod moved on to start Magic Kite Software with Ben Morris, another developer.

Their biggest contract was with Streetlight Technology, who had an amazing piece of hardware aimed at saving energy in streetlights around the world. Sourcerer was Magic Kite’s product, a system to manage software development projects.

“It was at this time that I became most involved with VIATEC, who helped us connect with business mentors and coached us through the process of creating a business plan and attracting investors,” commented Rod. “For a startup, run by a couple of software guys, VIATEC was invaluable.”

Next, Rod worked at CMaeON as Chief Technology Officer with CEO Tim Vasko for six years. They developed a system for rapidly building multi-tenant, low-bandwidth, web-based applications using a gadget-based framework. (Try saying that 3 times fast). in other words, the system they created has proven itself in finance, pharmacy, and real estate.

We’re almost to present day, but let’s flash back 13 years ago just for a moment…

Remember Rod’s father that worked at AIMS? Well, he became a biochemist at UVic and was approached by three students in 2002. The students wanted to build a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for his protein sequencing lab.

“At the time, I was asked to review what they were planning to ensure everything was kosher,” reminisced Rod. “That project eventually turned into GenoLogics Life Sciences Software, one of Victoria’s most successful ventures.”

In an odd irony, Rod joined GenoLogics in 2013 as their Director of Software Development.

“They’re an amazing company, driven by a belief that a great internal culture will lead to a better product and organization – they’re absolutely right. I couldn’t be prouder of a company and, in joining them, I feel I’ve [finally] come home.”

GenoLogics was purchased in September 2015 by Illumina, the world’s leading provider of DNA sequencing equipment.

“I love what I do and, in that sense, there will always be a blur between work and home. That said, my proudest moments are definitely focused on family. I have two amazing 16 year old guys and a 9 year old daughter. Binding us all together is my wife, Jane, without whom nothing would be possible.”

Rod has stayed in Victoria throughout his career for selfish reasons. His family, of course, but also the vibrant software community.

“Victoria is chalk full of innovators – people excited to share their dreams and aspirations. It’s the community that makes this place great.”  

 

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week

MediaCore

October 9, 2015 by Tectoria

mediacoreee

MediaCore has been acquired by Workday!

Big news for the MediaCore team – who have achieved great things and surpassed many challenges in the 5 years since the company was founded, and also fantastic news for Tectoria – as MediaCore plan to continue to grow their team right here in Victoria!

MediaCore

MediaCore offers a powerful video platform that enables educational institutions to easily capture, manage and share educational content and drive real learning results.  The company was started in 2011 by founders Stuart Bowness, Nate Wright, Anthony Theocharis and Damien C. Tanner, who all shared an idea of transforming the way people teach and learn with video.

MediaCore’s journey has involved over 100 institutions and companies adopting their platform, being named “Employer of the Year” at the 2015 VIATEC Technology Awards and now joining forces with Workday.  Additional highlights include raising a large round of finances in 2014, volunteering many team members to help with the successful creation of Ladies Learning Code in Victoria, and dancing to dubstep at a Hong Kong night club.

corecorecore

What’s Next?

Joining Workday opens up a realm of new possibilities for MediaCore, and one of their first new ventures may involve using their video platform to enhance the world of workplace training.  The team has big plans for the future – plans which involve them continuing to grow their amazing team in Victoria!

To learn more about this fantastic local success story – hear from MediaCore team themselves.

You can also read a personal account from Founder/CEO Stuart Bowness HERE, or get more of a sneak peak at what MediaCore might be up to next: HERE & HERE.

Congratulations MediaCore, keep helping to drive Tectoria forward!

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week

Ben Kerr

October 5, 2015 by Tectoria

 benny

 You won’t believe what the panelists called Ben Kerr during Experience Tectoria’s Showcase Showdown!

 
Ben Kerr is a Victoria native, mountain biker, foodie, father, CEO and Lead Analyst for Foundry Spatial, and our Tectorian of the Week!

 There can be no arguing that Ben is not a true Tectorian.  He was born and raised here, is a UVic geography grad, gets involved in local organizations with his two young daughters, is growing a local tech company doing very cool things, and says “I have never had a reason to leave and plan for it to stay that way! Victoria has such a beautiful natural setting and it is really beginning to emerge culturally and business-wise. I feel like Victoria is starting to build an amazingly unique new identity which is up there with the best places in the world!”

ben1

 

 

 

 

 

Foundry Spatial

Foundry Spatial provides environmental analytics SAAS tools, with a primary focus on water.  They offer customers complete, streamlined environmental and watershed information – meaning they can answer questions that directly impact the viability and sustainability of both a business, and its surrounding environment.

Ben started the company out as a one man environmental consultancy, or as he recalls, “me in my garage with a bunch of spiders.”  Over the last 6 years Foundry Spatial has grown steadily, and now they’re rolling out a national service at the end of the year, that will provide a network of waterway understanding all across Canada!

 Why would someone need to know how much water is in a river?

The Showcase Showdown panel asked Ben the same thing during Experience Tectoria.  His answer really helped to win over everyone in the room, because of the information he provided, and the affable manner in which he responded.

If you asked Ben again he would say “people need water to drink and for day to day life. Fish and all kinds of other animals depend on rivers for their livelihoods. Farmers use the water from rivers to grow the food we eat. Industries need water too to keep our economy going, things like hydro and energy production, pulp and paper, and oil and gas. With demand growing from all these sectors and the challenges we’re facing in a changing climate, technology can help us find balance. It’s everyone that cares about water!”

Ben and Foundry Spatial participated in both the Demo Camp and Showcase Showdown during Experience Tectoria.  In the Showcase Showdown he reached the final pairing, and the panel called him “the hands-down friendliest contestant!”

fdry

 

 

 

 

 

What’s next for Foundry Spatial?

They have their sights set on expansion across the rest of North America in the next three years. Ben asserts that “we’ll continue to prioritize the areas of greatest need, where demand and shortages are causing conflict.”

 From water, to gravel (and the end of this article)

Ben started his career in gravel exploration. It may not be the most widely appealing topic, but Ben loves it, so one of the guys in his office offered to add some flair to that story for him…

 Born at age 7, Ben knew that one day, he would grow up to stare at rocks in a serious way. One day, he found the best gravel he had ever seen, but his bucket was broken.

His desire for gravel persists, driven by the one that got away.

The one gravel.

The end.

 

 If your interest is piqued – click here to learn more about Foundry Spatial

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week

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