Jim Downie is a founding member of Sigma Seven and brings a wealth of enterprise level systems integration experience to the team. Originally an electrical engineering graduate from Strathclyde University, Jim utilises his considerable enterprise architecture skills in the implementation of GeoField projects within the Utilities sector. An expert in GIS integration, Jim has ensured that GeoField integrated smoothly with the enterprise infrastructure at ScottishPower, Scottish Water and Bristol Water.

‘Within an electrical utility, the LV network is a fairly difficult thing to manage because it is vast and has lots of people working on it constantly. We’ve been asked to implement a GeoField workflow solution where engineers can change the status of the switches in the field and send that information back to the corporate GIS. This way, the business knows exactly what the status of the electricity model is in near real time.’

When he is not busy integrating GeoField with companies’ enterprise systems, Jim enjoys cycling. A regular visitor to the mountain bike centre at Glentress, he is happiest when hurtling down a mud track.

‘I was introduced to it about five years ago,’ he says. ‘I enjoy it but I’m not the best at it. I’ve managed to break a few bones.’