RamSoft Systems Ltd. is a small consulting company based in Victoria, B.C., Canada. We have been in business since 1988.

RamSoft Systems Ltd. has 3 experienced technical staff available on a full-time basis. All of our permanent staff have a minimum of a university degree in computer science. In addition, we hire and supervise coop students from the University of Victoria when the need arises, or on demand by our clients. Full-time technical staff are:

RamSoft's consulting rates are very competitive. In addition, our expertise in developing forestry applications is well documented, extensive and varied. Our history indicates that we are conscientious, and pride ourselves in our ability to deliver good products on time and for expected expense. We feel we are an excellent choice for many software engineering roles. If you need any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Qualifications

We have extensive expertise in software development. Our experience runs the gamut of computing environments, from mainframe IBM and DEC systems to handheld microcomputers. Our custom designed programs have been written in and translated through a variety of programming languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, C/C++, Pascal and their variants on a variety of environments, including DOS, Windows 3.1x/95/NT, and UNIX. The migration, porting and redesign of applications are among our specialties.

We are skilled in the latest object oriented programming paradigms, and have extensive experience developing applications with C/C++ (Microsoft Visual C++ V6.0 with MFC and Borland C/C++ V5.0 with OWL), Visual Basic and VBA, and Delphi.

RamSoft Systems Ltd. has a large amount of in-depth experience in the computer modelling of forest processes. We have developed, in conjunction with forest scientists, several forest growth and pest simulation programs which are listed below. We continue to maintain and enhance several of them. 

Custom Software: Modelling

Model Description TIPSY A family of programs for estimating forest yield and evaluating the economics of silvicultural practices. Both interactive (TIPSY) and batch (BTIPSY) versions are available for timber supply analysis. Developed over many years with Dr. K.J. Mitchell. SITETOOLS A Windows program for site productivity analysis. LITE A 3 dimensional light penetration model for forest canopies. This highly technical application uses ray tracing techniques to estimate the light budgets received by the understory. Leaf area index and photon flux density are displayed graphically. Developed over three years with Dr. P. Comeau of Research Branch. SLIM A tool to perform pre-processing and collection of data for LITE. This application performs single point light penetration calculations, and is useful for data and model verification of both LITE and the sources of data for LITE. Developed over two years with Dr. P. Comeau of Research Branch. ROTSIM A root rot simulator developed by the late Dr. W (Bill) Bloomberg and now attached to the TASS program. SWAT A Spruce weevil infestation simulation for both Sitka and White Spruce developed by Dr. R.I. Alfaro and integrated with TASS. VISTAS A 3 dimensional tree visualization tool. VISTAS works together with TASS, and provides immediate visual feedback for the user to select and perform operations such as pruning trees and marking trees for thinning. Developed over one year with Ian Cameron. STARS A data input program for Intel based hand held data recorders. Breed A cost effectiveness evaluation of tree breeding programs. VenusRange A reporting tool designed to track range reference areas for the Ministry of Forests. This Visual Basic application generates a variety of reports based on information in an MS Access database. EduTrak An MS Access application which collates school-based data from a variety of sources and provides the user with a number of reports in different formats. This program was mostly recently used in the accreditation of four schools in the Prince Rupert School District. FWXWin We developed and marketed a program in concert with Ember Research Services which calculates Fire Weather Indices and BC Forest Service Fire Danger Ratings from standard weather station observations. CWFGM The Canadian Wildland Fire Growth Model, called Prometheus. This application models the growth of wildland fires given parameters such as vegetation, weather, elevation, and ignition points. Other Forestry Related Programs A tree ring index program, a Hemlock Looper impact program, and the implementation of taper functions.

Custom Software: WWW Creation and Maintenance

Project	Description
General WWW Development	We have developed Web pages complete with graphics images and links for Dr. R.I. Alfaro at the Pacific Forestry Centre.
WebTASS WebTASS/SWAT	A Web enabled application that uses a custom developed CGI program to upload, preprocess, and queue user input files. The user input files are dequeued and processed by the ministry's TASS program. The subsequent TASS output is compressed and posted to a Web page for download by the user. All process invocations and communication are handled by the WebTass application.

Custom Software: Database creation and management

We have solid experience with custom database systems and with Microsoft Access (TM). In particular, we have developed a replicated, distributed database using MS Access to support a cardiac research study at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, AB.

Extension and Training

We have participated in training programmes for TIPSY, an application developed for the Ministry of Forests. Additionally, we have prepared lesson plans and training agendas for special versions of TIPSY. We provided a training programme for cardiac nurses in the Foothills Hospital, Calgary, AB.

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