Christopher Zura
Director
Profile
Chris has 20 years experience developing emerging technologies for aerospace, manufacturing,
insurance, retail and service systems. He currently provides the vision and technology
strategies for a number of companies, and is instrumental in development of new
technology patents as well as bringing new product ideas to market. His experience
with both low-level embedded systems and high-level database and web application
development enables him to provide innovative solutions for business automation
and product development.
Accomplishments
Mr. Christopher Zura served as Vice President, Research & Development of
Additech, Inc. from August of 2003 until his departure in September of
2004. Mr. Zura was responsible for all intellectual property and new hardware and
software technology development at Additech, and designed Additech hardware and
software systems 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,
Chris developed his first patent-pending 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. His new system is web enabled and combines full
motion video, digital signage and advertising, coupons and order entry for complete
at-the-pump presence.
In his consultancy, Chris works with numerous industries. As a systems integrator
in the areas of aerospace, manufacturing, insurance, retail and service systems,
Chris works directly with leading CEOs to provide innovative solutions to automate
daily business operations as well as helping companies develop key technology strategies
to bring their products and services to market while meeting their business objectives.
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 STP™, 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.
Software Insight Systems
Chris was a leading 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.
Since the age of eleven, Chris has been involved with computers, electronics and
music. He holds a certificate in Small Business Management and studied Information
Technology and Accounting at Manchester Community Technical College in Manchester,
Connecticut. He has been a Microsoft Solutions Partner and a member of the Microsoft
Developer Network. His hobbies include: writing music and poetry, photography, RC
planes, avian husbandry, collecting fine wines and Audubon prints, as well as playing
guitar, bass and keyboards in his home music and video production studio, and playing
with his little girl
Morgan.
Chris currently maintains his consultancy, Z Tech Systems,
with a team of associates providing clients with specialized services in business
automation, embedded systems, custom database design, wireless networking, handheld
applications, and award-winning multimedia web design and integration to meet today's
competitive business demands.