Tuesday 13 December 2016

The latest SyntheSys Training E-Newsletter is out now!




In this issue, we bring you highlights from the second half of this year. Whether you are new to us or old friends, our hope is to keep you informed via stories and insights from our Training Division. Download now to read more about the application of the Data Link Manager (DLM)/Interface Control Officer (ICO) Training, along with details of organisations that have successfully completed SyntheSys training.  Read the newsletter here

Wednesday 7 December 2016

SyntheSys hits the ground running with the first 2017 Data Link Manager/Interface Control Officer (DLM/ICO) course taking place at the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem





















SyntheSys Training Services is delighted to announce that the first DLM/ICO course of 2017 will be held at the CAOC Uedem, Germany.  The course will be held between the 20 February and 10 March with NATO once again hosting the event.  NATO personnel from a variety of positions will be in attendance, along with other personnel from a range of nations and organisations across Europe. 

All attendees who undertake the three-week course leave with a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a DLM/ICO.  The added benefit and use of extensive practical exercises and simulation create an enjoyable learning environment. 

If you would like to join the course or would like to know more about the Learning Outcomes within the syllabus, then please contact us at 

Monday 14 November 2016

Great to see you at IDLS 2016

The 2016 annual International Data Link Symposium (IDLS) proved to be a valuable, interesting and enjoyable event at which we had the opportunity to meet with colleagues and customers throughout the Tactical Data Link (TDL) Community.

In keeping with our overall business objective to create an integrated TDL Community, we were pleased to see so many delegates participate in our ‘Follow the Link’ competition.  Congratulations go to Roberto Silva from Ultra Electronics and Simon Verduijn from the Royal Netherlands Navy who each won a Kindle Fire.

Our training day for this year’s show took an interactive approach where we provided a Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP) training course.  Our trainers, Paul Czajkowski (Ski) and Tony Castle, delivered the ‘JREAP - How does it work and what does it provide the user?’ training course, which delivered a definition of JREAP along with how JREAP users can interact with Link 16 networks, together with advantages and capabilities.  The training was split into two parts which enabled attendees to apply the learnt theory in a simulated training environment using the Daronmont Data Link Training Suite (DLTS) and the Engility Joint Range Extension (JRE) software.

Our educational contribution did not end there.  For delegates particularly interested in Variable Message Format (VMF), Tony Castle delivered a presentation on day one giving an introduction to this subject covering VMF capabilities, message and header format and users.

On day two, Ski delivered a 45 minute lesson aimed at all international delegates who sought an interesting introduction to Link 22.  The lesson referenced NATO standards and documents, and also examined the main features of Link 22, Operational Net Cycle Structure and Assignment Slots.  Ski also provided a comparison of Link 22 versus other Links such as Link 11 and Link 16.

Tony Castle rounded up our educational presentations with a condensed version of the JREAP training day, which was aimed at delegates who were interested in high level information relating to JREAP.  Tony examined many elements including; the need for JREAP, common time references, JREAP media types and management messages.

You can access all the presentation material relevant to our workshops on the IDLS website.  

IDLS gave us an excellent opportunity to distribute the latest issue of our ‘TDL Technology’ magazine and we were glad to speak to many members of the community who have great ideas for features in the ‘Community Forum’ section of the magazine.  Please contact sarah_thomas@synthesys.co.uk if you would like to feature in future magazines.


For further information on any of our services, or to hear more about how we are involved with the International Data Link Society, please contact info@synthesys.co.uk.

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Roland Kemp Joins SyntheSys

We are delighted to announce that highly experienced Tactical Data Link (TDL) and former Dutch Patriot operator Roland Kemp has joined SyntheSys.

Roland served for 37 years in the Dutch Armed Forces, during which time one of his career highlights included being a Staff NCO at the Group Operations Centre - responsible for training crews on the Patriot Information Coordination Centre (ICC).

Roland was acting Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) in the JICO cell during exercises such as Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW), Roving Sands and in the Joint Combat ID Evaluation Team 2002.

During the mission Iraqi Freedom in 2003, he was Link Manager at the PATRIOT Battalion Level.
He has also been an operator for Tactical Simulation HAWK and a member of the analysis team in Live Flying Exercises.

In addition, Roland has been a Senior Tactical Data Link Manager responsible for training junior TDL managers and has been involved in testing weapon systems and platforms equipped with MIDS terminals including F-16, Air Defence Command Frigate and KDC-10.

As Chief of the Network Design Facility he was responsible for training new network designers and the validation and accreditation of newly developed network designs for national and international use.  He also supported units in their respective mission and training areas.

Together with German and American TDL SME’s he set up the Joint Interface Control Cell (JICC) at AB Ramstein and supported the Army GBAD and PATRIOT in exercises with the JRE.

Roland will primarily be employed to work with our training team, and will provide a different viewpoint to our very successful Data Link Manager/Interface Control Officer (DLM/ICO) training course.  His experiences with Patriot, and the use of JRE will add another dimension to our training courses.  As a qualified JICO, Roland will also bring experience from the US perspective.

Roland’s arrival at SyntheSys emphasises our commitment to employ the highest quality personnel, which in turn will provide the highest quality results for our customers.  We wish Roland the greatest success in his endeavours with SyntheSys.  


Thursday 27 October 2016

The Third Issue of SyntheSys’ TDL Technology Magazine is Now Available

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the third issue of the TDL Technology magazine.  Many of you have read and enjoyed the first two issues of our magazine, the last of which was published in the spring.  Thanks to your subscriptions and support, it seems to be going from strength to strength.  For this issue, we have introduced our TDL Technology community forum which is a section of the magazine where we invite contributions from other organisations.  We are delighted that we have been able to include articles from Engility, DIGINEXT and the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose.
In our latest issue we feature our regular ‘Ask the TDL Expert’ article, further articles on modelling to support interoperability and a guide to choosing a TDL Capability.

To read the free online version and to subscribe to future issues, please visit 
www.tdl-technology.com or, if you would prefer to receive a free hard copy, contact tdltech@synthesys.co.uk.

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Will we be seeing you at IDLS 2016?

SyntheSys will be exhibiting at this year’s International Data Link Symposium in Maastricht, The Netherlands 1st November - 4th November 2016.  We will be using this year’s show as a platform to present:

  • JREAP- How does it work and what does it provide the user?
  • Introduction to Link 22
  • Introduction to Link 16
  • Introduction to JREAP

Come and visit us at Stand 23.  We are inviting customers and colleagues throughout the TDL community to come and pick up a FREE copy of Issue 3 TDL Technology magazine and we are also running our ‘Follow the Link’ competition where we have 2 Kindle Fire HD6 up for grabs.

Our Technical Staff will be on hand to discuss TDL Training, our SPIRIT process and also our operational capability.  What’s more, you can even grab yourself a refreshing beverage whilst you chat to us!

Sunday 23 October 2016

SyntheSys’ Jeremy Dick Set to Present at the Upcoming Systems Engineering in Capital Projects Seminar

Our renowned systems engineering expert Jeremy Dick will be presenting at the upcoming ‘Systems Engineering in Capital Projects’ Seminar and you are invited. The event takes place on 31st October 2016 at IBM Southbank, London.

The seminar aims to explore how Systems Engineering practices can help you with the challenges of managing complex capital projects and associated supply chains.  Jeremy will be collaborating with Costain Group to deliver, ‘Helping to meet national needs by bringing SE practices into infrastructure projects’.

For more information and registration details click here , or for more information on Jeremy click here

Wednesday 21 September 2016

You are invited to join SyntheSys at the IBM Systems and Software Symposium

There is less than a week to go until we attend and present at the IBM Systems and Software Symposium at the Old Trafford football stadium on 27th September.  Join us there to explore the latest innovations in systems and software development tools from IBM.
 
The event aims to bring together members of the Systems and Software Development community for a day filled with industry presentations, best practices and networking. Our specialist Matt Mendell will be presenting ‘Migrating DOORS to DOORS Next Generation’.  We also look forward to hearing from Warwick Manufacturing Group, Visteon, Nationwide, HS2, TNT and XoServe.  

Other highlights include:

  • Split Tracks for IT and Engineering customers;
  • A detailed look at SaaS, Scaled Agile Framework, Integration/Migration with other tools;
  • Ovum analysts explaining why IBM are leading the way for Application Lifecycle Management. 

Places are still available for this free one day educational symposium. Register here or contact zoecarberry@uk.ibm.com for more information.

Tuesday 30 August 2016

SyntheSys to attend world class energy event, SPE Intelligent Energy 6-8 Sept 2016





SyntheSys is delighted to be attending the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Intelligent Energy International exhibition at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) from September 6 to 8.

The event is an SPE organised technical conference, positioned at the forefront of oilfield technology and the drive towards fully integrated operations.

It is the only event where IT, operations, drilling and production come together and is a catalyst for advanced digital field technologies, automated workflows and intelligent processes.

We will be on hand at booth A22 to discuss our Systems Engineering Training, CloudbaSE products and our partnership with IBM.  Our Technical consultants, Mark Williamson and Jeremy Dick, will be ready to offer demonstrations of our Tools in action and we will also have IBM representatives available to answer your questions. 

Contact info@synthesys.co.uk if you would like to arrange a one to one meeting at the event or visit www.synthesys.co.uk for further information on our products and services.

Thursday 18 August 2016

IT Governance congratulates SyntheSys on achieving Cyber Essentials certification



SyntheSys is proud to announce that we have achieved Cyber Essentials, a Government-backed cyber security certification that sets out a minimum standard for cyber security.


The Cyber Essentials scheme outlines five security controls to help organisations mitigate cyber risks and improve their cyber security posture. To achieve certification, organisations are required to address their boundary firewalls and Internet gateways, implement secure configuration, adequately manage access control and administrative privilege management, implement patch management, and ensure malware protection. 


Nikki Haynes, Operations Manager of SyntheSys, said: “Achieving Cyber Essentials was seen as a way to demonstrate a level of assurance to our customers, by showing that security controls are in place to protect the business, its IT systems and information, and that these controls have been assessed against an independent, formal framework. ‘’


To see what IT Governance, the cyber security consultancy firm and CREST-accredited certification body, have to say about our achievement click here