Everyone at KnowledgeSmart is passionate about developing tools and systems which help our customers to measure their teams' BIM & CAD proficiency. One of our key strengths is our independence.
We were the first company to establish an international CAD benchmark (for AutoCAD and MicroStation) under our old brand, CADsmart. We have no hidden agenda for reporting on a firm's performance; we don't sell BIM solutions, recruitment, training or management consultancy. We simply provide metrics and management data on current productivity and, as important, where future improvements can be made.
Over the years we have established strong relationships with our customers and partners, based on results, service, trust, value and reliability. Much of our new business comes from recommendations from existing users.
Rory Vance - CEO
Rory's family background is Civil Engineering and most of his childhood summers were spent on various (mostly Taylor Woodrow) construction sites around the UK. His first proper job after college was selling Business Insurance for Nat West, which lasted about a year - just long enough for him to realise that he didn't like working for other people! He subsequently started his own business at the age of 22 and has been involved in sales and marketing ever since. In 2003, he took over the reins of a young company which boldly set out to benchmark CAD performance in the construction industry - and the rest is rapidly becoming history! As CEO, Rory is responsible for making sure that the business is heading in the right strategic direction, and that we always keep our customers at the forefront of our development roadmap. He enjoys meeting new customers and travels extensively to make sure that the business is delivering on its promises. Rory is a regular speaker at industry events on CAD performance development.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, and knocking out old jazz tunes on his alto sax.
Tony Brown - Business Development Director
Tony is a degree qualified metallurgist, having studied at Cardiff University. For a number of years after graduation he worked as a research metallurgist in the aerospace and automotive fields. He then moved into the world of high technology and CAD in the late 1980s with Spectra-Physics. Since then he's been involved with Business Development for a number of innovative companies, including at NavisWorks, where he helped the business get started.
As Business Development Manager, Tony is responsible for ensuring our continued growth by bringing new customers and new markets to the company. He has a consultative approach and really enjoys seeing customers benefit from adopting new technologies and processes. If you're new to what we do then you'll no doubt be working closely with Tony to understand how we might help your business.
To relax, Tony enjoys spending time with his family, rugby ( but he no longer plays ) and pouring money into Italian sports cars - not necessarily in that order.
Ed Pitt - Technician
Ed studied Engineering and Geology at university, but went into IT after graduating, and spent many years creating bespoke online solutions and systems for major companies such as BMW, Honda and Speedo - and plenty more smaller businesses. One day he started working on our systems, and liked the product so much he joined the company.
Ed is responsible for ensuring that our software and systems keep on working, remain secure, that our new developments are delivered successfully, and that we keep up to date with advancements in technology. He is also in charge of support, and being the hands-on kind of chap that he is it isn't too unlikely that you may end up dealing with Ed directly should you need any help.
In his spare time Ed likes fixing old things like his Lambretta scooter, or his house, choosing the term 'Extreme DIY' to summarise his typical weekend.