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In early 2005 Microsoft Gold Partner CoMet-IT of Wetherby, Yorkshire won a competitive development grant to build a prototype IT solution for the construction industry. The design requirement was that it used mobile computers with broadband connection to the Internet to improve health and safety standards on construction sites. By the end of 2005 the prototype was finished and in Spring 2006 Mobile Software Systems was founded to commercially exploit the opportunity. The product brand “Mobile Safety Solutions” was released at the NEC Health and Safety Expo in May 2006, and CoMet-IT the original developers won the Digital Yorkshire “Best use of Broadband Technology” award at around the same time.

Even now, in 2008 just two years later it‟s difficult to look back and appreciate the progress made in that period, but as founder director Brian Alsford reminds us, “It was only after a visit to a Microsoft Windows Mobile conference in 2004, that I realised how embryonic the technology then was. For instance, none of the three speakers could get their devices to work online, and in one of the breakout sessions later only four people in the room admitted to starting developments on Windows Mobile. The rest of the room including me, were just interested”.
To Microsoft‟s credit, Windows Mobile is now extremely reliable when working either stand-alone on PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) computers, or working in connected mode, or when synchronising databases. The latest versions of Windows Mobile even choose the lowest cost routes (be it Bluetooth, WiFi, GPRS, 3G or USP cable), to transfer the data.

CoMet-IT has now divested its interests in Mobile Software Systems Ltd. Meanwhile the ownership of MSS has passed into the hands of its three working directors; Brian Alsford, Nick Barr and Tony Preston.

Tony Preston

Tony is 40 years old and is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for network solutions, as well as having electrical, mechanical and nuclear engineering qualifications. Tony spent 14 years as a submariner, including a period as health and safety officer for a nuclear submarine and more recently was on the Board of his local ISP as technical advisor.

Nicholas Barr

Nick is 50 years old, and is a qualified accountant. He spent many years in the motor industry, ultimately as chief executive of Trust Motors Plc. Since leaving after a company takeover, Nick has worked on a number of technology projects with a view to bringing them onto the AIM. Before taking up his current role with MSS he was UK Managing Director of Drive Diagnostics, which specialises in driving safety.

Brian Alsford

Brian Alsford is 59 years old, is a Chartered Accountant and an MBA. After becoming a senior manager with ICI by age 30, Brian left to set up his first IT business. Mobile Software Systems is his fourth start-up business. He remains as Managing Director of CoMet-IT, a Microsoft Gold Partner for business solutions.