Data Supplies Group / Computer Sciences Corporation - European Research Group Manager

Role Overview

As European Research Group Manager at Data Supplies Group (Computer Sciences Corporation), I created and managed the Technical Research Facility in Europe, establishing a center of excellence that saved the company $18 million annually. This role positioned me at the forefront of emerging technologies, including groundbreaking work with Oak (later renamed Java) and distributed computing concepts that would shape the future of software development.

Key Responsibilities

Creation and management of Technical Research Facility in Europe
Research and development of emerging technologies and computing concepts
Management of complex network infrastructure for 800 users (300 desktop, 500 portable)
Client relationship management with major organizations
Cost optimization and efficiency improvements generating substantial savings

Business Context & CSC Growth Era

CSC Expansion Period

During the mid-1990s, CSC was experiencing rapid growth under CEO Van B. Honeycutt (from 1995), capitalizing on the IT services boom and outsourcing wave. Revenue was climbing toward $4+ billion by 1996.

European Operations

CSC was expanding globally through acquisitions in Europe and Australia, establishing specialized facilities like the Technical Research Facility to support major client contracts in defense and finance industries.

Major Client Portfolio

Worked with prestigious clients including British Aerospace, Lucas Industries, NHS, and Ministry of Defense, providing specialized IT services and research capabilities.

Research Leadership

Under Paul Mariotti, established the CSC European Research Lab focused on emerging technologies and experimental computing concepts without immediate commercial constraints.

Technical Research & Innovation

$18 Million Annual Savings

The Technical Research Facility I created and managed delivered $18 million in annual savings to CSC through innovative research initiatives, process improvements, and technology optimization across European operations.

Large-Scale Infrastructure Management

300 Desktop Users: Comprehensive desktop support and management
500 Portable Users: Mobile computing support and infrastructure
Major Client Support: Specialized services for defense and aerospace sectors
Research Infrastructure: Cutting-edge laboratory facilities and equipment

Research Focus Areas

The facility focused on emerging technologies and experimental computing concepts that would shape the future of software development, including distributed computing, network programming, and platform-independent development environments.

Java/Oak Pioneer Development (1995)

"In 1995, I transitioned to work under Paul Mariotti at the CSC European Research Lab, where I had the opportunity to work with a programming language called Oak - which you might know better by its later name: Java."

Revolutionary Distributed Computing

Using a Sun workstation, I set up an internal web server and conducted groundbreaking experiments with Oak's distributed computing capabilities, including using Remote Method Invocation (RMI) to calculate π by distributing computational work across multiple networked computers.

Greentalk/Oak Experimentation

Platform-Independent Programming: Early work with Sun's Oak language project
Network Computing: Exploring distributed application capabilities
RMI Implementation: Harnessing idle CPU cycles across networked machines
Internal Web Server: Setting up infrastructure for experimental applications

Historical Significance

This work in 1995 predated mainstream adoption of distributed computing concepts that would later become fundamental to technologies like cloud computing, blockchain networks, and distributed processing systems like Folding@Home and SETI@home.

Major Client Operations

Defense & Aerospace

British Aerospace - Aviation and defense systems
Ministry of Defense - Government defense operations
Lucas Industries - Aerospace and automotive components
Specialized technical support and research services

Healthcare & Public Sector

NHS - National Health Service IT infrastructure
Complex network management and user support
Critical system reliability and performance
Large-scale user base management

Research Leadership & Team Management

Facility Creation & Management

Successfully created the Technical Research Facility from concept to full operation, establishing processes, infrastructure, and team capabilities that delivered immediate and sustained value to CSC's European operations.

Innovation Environment

Freedom to explore cutting-edge technologies without commercial constraints
Focus on emerging technologies that would shape software development's future
Collaboration with leading technology companies like Sun Microsystems
Integration of research findings into practical client solutions

Leadership Philosophy

Balanced practical client service delivery with forward-thinking research initiatives, ensuring immediate business value while positioning CSC at the forefront of technological innovation.

Business Impact & Achievements

The Technical Research Facility became a strategic asset for CSC, demonstrating how targeted research investment could deliver substantial cost savings while positioning the company as a technology leader in emerging areas like distributed computing and platform-independent development.

Key Achievements

Created and managed Technical Research Facility saving $18 million annually
Pioneered distributed computing concepts using Oak/Java (1995)
Managed complex infrastructure supporting 800 users
Successfully served major clients in defense, aerospace, and healthcare sectors
Established CSC as European leader in emerging technology research

Technology Legacy & Industry Impact

My work at CSC represented a unique intersection of practical business operations and visionary technology research. The distributed computing experiments with Oak/Java in 1995 demonstrated concepts that would become fundamental to modern computing architectures, while the facility's operational success proved the value of strategic research investment.

Long-term Influence

Early adoption of Java/Oak influenced understanding of platform-independent development
Distributed computing concepts later evolved into cloud computing and microservices
Research facility model demonstrated sustainable approach to innovation
Client service excellence established foundation for future technology leadership roles

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