Christopher Zura
Director
Profile
As Senior Technology Architect/Engineer with nearly 20 years industry experience
developing emerging technologies for aerospace, manufacturing, security, and retail
service systems, Chris works with leading CEOs to help companies develop key technologies
to bring their products and services to market while achieving business objectives.
As an accomplished author of new technology patents, he provides the vision and
creativity for strategic business planning and new product design. His hands-on
experience with both low-level embedded systems hardware and high-level database-driven
web application development enables him to provide innovative solutions for the
next generation of wireless and mobile applications. As a technology consultant,
mentor, and turnaround expert with over 12 years building enterprise database applications
and 8 years designing microcontroller based embedded products, Chris is regularly
called to fix projects gone awry and provide the leadership for successful project
completion.
Recent Accomplishments
Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO)
SISCO is the world leader in security and safety
systems for the Cruise Line industry. Originally hired as the Emerging Technologies
Coordinator in August 2005, Chris presently serves as the Director
of R&D, Business Development and is responsible for the development
of new intellectual property and patents. Working directly with the Vice President
and the CEO, he provides the vision and strategies to bring new products and services
to market. After being with the company only 5 months, he was appointed to his leadership
role to facilitate the migration from a legacy development environment to Microsoft
.NET. After hiring a new staff and leveraging his knowledge in engineering disciplines,
he has been the catalyst for facilitating the adoption of Agile Development methodologies
and new business practices within the company. As the Lead Architect and Project
Manager, he led the team to develop the company’s next generation products. In March
2009, the result was a patent filing1
for a new system utilizing handheld mobile technology for high speed accountability
of passengers on a cruise ship with sales projected to double over the next two
years.
- 1 Method And System For The
Mobile Tracking And Accounting Of Individuals In A Closed Community
-
Pat. Pending - Appl. No.12/387,856 - Filed May 7, 2009
Additech
As Vice President, Research & Development of
Additech, Inc. from August of 2003 until his departure in September of
2004, Chris was responsible for the intellectual property required to enable the
business model including all the new hardware and software technology designed to
deliver gasoline additives on demand at the pump. Starting as a consultant in January
of 2000, and working with the company for only 6 months, he developed his first
patented2 technology, called
the "Inceptor™", an embedded solution that simplifies integration with virtually
all fuel-based POS (Point-Of-Sale) systems, as well as conceiving "Additech TV",
a new generation of media technology at the gas pump. Deployed at hundreds of
Walmart fueling locations nationwide, this new system is web enabled
and combines full motion video, digital signage and advertising, coupons and order
entry for complete at-the-pump marketing presence.
- 2 Method And Apparatus For Fuel And Fuel Additive Dispensing
-
US Patent 10036656 - Filed Dec. 21, 2001
Consultancy
Chris maintains his consultancy, Z Tech Systems,
with a team of associates providing clients with specialized services in business
automation including system integration, embedded/mobile system development, and
web design to meet today's competitive business demands. Chris works directly with
leading CEOs to provide the innovative solutions and key technology strategies required
to bring products and services to market while targeting business objectives.
Medical Devices
Working closely with Dr Harry Glen, MD, Chris designed and built an electronic control
system for a new medical device. By first engineering a working computer simulation
of the user interface and control apparatus, the model was later used as the basis
of a patent filing coauthored with Dr. Glen. This patented3 product features an interactive user interface and
control system for an array of pressure inducing elements. Under microprocessor
control, the device can aid in the treatment of muscle pathology while promoting
the movement of lymphatic tissue and other circulatory fluids that can lead to the
prevention of venous stasis ulcers (bed sores) and improved venous return. The system
promises to raise the standard for treatment, especially for long term patient care.
- 3 Method And Apparatus For Controlling Massage Using Pressure Inducing
Elements
-
US Pat. 11441739 - Filed May 27, 2006
P Sea Concepts
In partnership with Brian Olson of P Sea Concepts, Inc.,
Chris designed and developed YachtNet™. Introduced at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale
Boat Show, the product provides the ultimate universal remote control for recreational
yacht owners. Running on a wireless PDA and a shipboard server, the system integrates
GPS navigation, radar, sonar, and ship monitoring systems along with audio/video/SAT
TV/internet devices and other peripherals. The system controls the delivery of real-time
streaming video from multiple video sources including camera, tuner, and PC applications
through a simple touch screen user interface. Chris also designed a complementary
product line of embedded products that can be used for remote control of devices
including lighting, curtains and appliances for marine and other applications.
NanoTime
John Cain, President of NanoTime, LLC, may have
said it best after completing another project: "I have a technology-based start-up
company that is designing a new electronic product. Through the course of my design
work I engaged Chris Zura of Z Tech Systems to conduct a software feasibility study,
with the goal of creating an initial software development roadmap that was aligned
with other elements of my product design. Throughout this process I have been extremely
pleased with the work Chris has provided. He has made a number of helpful and creative
suggestions, demonstrated a real enthusiasm for the project, and created a very
useful analysis that will assist us in moving our project forward. Chris has always
taken the time to explain his thinking and ideas, and has brought his technical
expertise to bear on a complex product that will require numerous layers of software
development. The resulting development plan was exactly what was needed. I appreciate
Chris' contributions to our project and have found them to be very valuable and
insightful."
National Trade Shows
Chris and his team developed the NTS System for National Trade
Shows, a company specializing in trade show production for the travel
industry. This custom multi-user database system automates show registration for
over 300 trade shows a year, and mailings to over 100,000 travel agents across the
US and Canada.
Charter Oak Services
For another client, Charter Oak Services, Inc.,
a faith-based company that specializes in providing home health care and cleaning
services for the elderly, Chris developed the Charter Oak Service System (COSS).
This custom, multi-user database system automates client tracking, employee scheduling,
payroll, billing and regulatory reporting for a complete 'service company' oriented
turnkey solution.
Cable Technology
In another automation project, Chris developed the Order Processing Information
System (OPIS) for Cable Technology, Inc., a specialty
wire manufacturer. This custom multi-user database system automates quotation, order
entry, Bill Of Materials (BOM), materials tracking, inventory management and custom
reporting.
First Brands
With his tenure at First Brands Corporation, the
former brand holder of Prestone™, STP™, and Glad™, Chris co-developed
the Integrated Satellite Information System (ISIS), a complete integrated manufacturing
system for the Glad™ Products division where he also installed, maintained
and supported 15 corporate LANs across North America for the company. He also co-developed
an embedded barcode interface for shop floor reporting to ISIS. Later, as a consultant,
he worked on numerous projects over the years including the development of the Broker
Tracking System (BaTS), which tracked broker performance for over $800M in annual
sales of Glad™ Products. In yet another high profile project, Chris developed
the Financial Investor Tracking System (FITS), which tracked worldwide investor
relations and mailings for the CEO.
Early Accomplishments
Software Insight Systems
Chris was a pioneer in the late 80's with Software Insight
Systems, Inc., when, at age 20, he received worldwide acclaim for his
earliest commercial product offering, GO-64!™, a software and hardware combination
providing Commodore 64 emulation for the Amiga computer. This product maintains
backward compatibility for users to migrate to the Amiga computer while saving their
investment in a large library of software and peripherals.
United Technologies Research Center
Chris began his career as an Engineering Assistant with the
United Technologies Research Center where he honed his engineering skills
and provided PC support services for a large engineering group developing abradable
seals for turbine jet engines.
Background
Since the age of eleven, Chris has been actively involved with computers, electronics
and music. He holds a certificate in Small Business Management and studied Information
Technology and Accounting at Manchester Community College in Manchester, Connecticut.
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner and a member of the Microsoft Developer Network,
he is frequently a guest speaker on a variety of topics. As an active musician,
photographer, aviculturist, oenophile, and collector of antiquities, Chris can be
found hunting down the finer things that life can offer, and playing with his little
girl
Morgan.