Ron Flannery

Ron Flannery is a long time database and Informix specialist. He started in 1983 at General Motors (and later, EDS), where he worked on a Multics relational database system called MRDS. He stayed at EDS until 1987, when he moved to a GRI, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. In 1989, Ron was the lead technical specialist to help GRI choose a relational database system for a large Ford project. He recommended Informix and started on the road to his consulting career and writing his book. After GRI, Ron went to ZenaComp, who was then an Informix and database-focused consulting firm. After working in several roles at ZenaComp, in June of 1997, Ron followed his goals and finally started his own company. At that time, he also started work on his book.

Ron is the lead author of Informix Handbook, a 1400 page book for Informix Press. The book project started in 1997, and after various delays, was published in July of 2000. This book is a comprehensive reference for any user of Informix Software. It includes sections on the history of Informix, SQL, database administration, tuning, applications development, and Web. Ron designed the book and its table of contents, wrote most of the chapters, and supervised other authors on the project. He created the idea of a Web site that would be closely tied to the book and drove his company to design and create the site entirely in Informix products. Ron went on to interview various key Informix executives, placing the interviews on the book’s Web site. He helped brainstorm and create marketing plans for the book and the site, and developed strategic partnerships with other Informix sites.

Ron is also the founder and president of One Point Solutions, Inc., a Web- and database-focused company in Michigan that was established in June of 1997. Currently, Ron and his company focus on Informix consulting services and Web/database applications in E-commerce and other areas.

One Point created the Web site for his book (www.InformixHandbook.com - an Informix-powered site!) and designed the layout of the book's CD. One Point understands technology and can help companies choose and implement the right database and Web site technologies. For more information about One Point Solutions, see www.one-point.com or contact Ron.

Ron is a long time user and supporter of Informix products. Besides his day-to-day customer tasks, he is co-founder and president of the Michigan Informix User Group (www.miug.com) and is a member of the board of directors for the International Informix Users Group (www.iiug.org). He wrote three chapters in Informix Unleashed! by SAMS Publishing. Ron is a certified Informix Database Specialist and Systems Administrator.