"Genius is to see things invisible, to manipulate things
intangible, to paint things that have no features."
Joseph Joubert, French
essayist
Michael Mullins has
worked continuously in the computer industry in West Virginia since 1975 as both
an employee of business and government organizations, and as an
independent consultant.
Michael is a native and life-long resident of
West Virginia. He was directly involved in operating his family's flower
business from the age of eight, when he first learned the value of forming
long-lasting relationships and providing extraordinary
service to his customers.
Retail clerical duties, full-charge
bookkeeping, purchasing and managing inventory, and general business operations
were among the experiences that Michael had gained before age
sixteen.
Michael's life-long experience has given him a
truly unique insight into the goals, problems and needs of
businesses and their employees.
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the
expert's mind there are few."
Shunryu Suzuki, Japanese
Zen-master
Michael has an
Associate in Science degree in Computer Science from WVU Parkersburg, and has
over twenty-five years professional experience and continuing
education in computer programming, systems analysis, and business systems
design.
He was first certified by the ICCP (Institute for Certification
of Computer Professionals) in 1983 as a CDP (Certificate in Data
Processing).
The Institute conferred the title CCP with Management
Specialty (Certified Computing Professional) on all CDP holders in
1994.
Michael adheres to a strict Code of Professional
Ethics prescribed by The Institute.
"Not to care for philosophy is to be a true Philosopher."
Blaise
Pascal
Michael has developed
many systems with very long life cycles …of up to sixteen years
in the case of one state government agency.
His philosophy is to build
robust and extensible systems that withstand change, because
very often applications must live beyond their design horizon and serve purposes
beyond their original intent.
Whether well designed or poorly
designed, software has a tendency to exceed its expected life cycle.
The quality of the design will determine how maintainable the product is during
its life, and how gracefully its function may be transferred to a successor.
"If the pieces don't fit together, their beauty doesn't matter."
Miyamoto Musashi, circa
1645
During his professional
career, Michael has assumed primary responsibility for many development projects
in various industry and government sectors.
Projects have ranged in
continuous duration of up to two years from engagement, and have had a total
budget of up to $1 million.
Michael's objective is to provide clients
with a holistic approach to managing their business technology needs.
Typical services
Inform and Educate clients about current technology
Identify specific User Problems & Needs
Develop Specifications and Budget
Analyze the Cost & Feasibility of vendor proposals
Manage the project with a focus on the constraints of Time, Cost
& Scope
Design, develop & deploy Professional Software Solutions that
meet Client requirements
