Mark Whipp is a London based freelance IT Project Manager and Support Engineer

"Trading as MWDC since 2005 I have been providing freelance IT support and project management work predominantly for restaurant, bar and coffee shop clients in the London area. Mostly this work involves setting up the IT systems for new restaurant and bar openings. I have done well over a hundred restaurant openings over the last 30 years. I also offer pay-as-you-go IT troubleshooting, repairs and project management for my clients."

cabinet exmple 1
cabinet exmple 2

IT Work

I have been working in various business related and IT disciplines predominately in the hospitality sector for the last 30 years. Since 2005 I have exclusively worked on a freelance basis for restaurant, coffee shop and creative clients. See below a few key IT areas that I work in to benefit my SME clients or click on the IT section of my website to see all my IT and Project Management Articles.

Digital Design Work (The Side Hustle)

I originally studied Art and Design in the 1980s at Falmouth School of Art and North East London Polytechnic. After my studies, I spent nearly a decade in hospitality operational management before transitioning into IT full time.

In recent years, I’ve come full circle, returning to my creative roots by offering design, support, and training services to help clients with a range of digital design projects. Below are some key areas of this work, or you can visit the Design section of my website to explore more of my digital design projects in greater detail

Core Skills

Project Management and IT Strategy

  • Collaborate with clients and teams to identify IT challenges and deliver tailored solutions.
  • Assist departmental teams to maximise the efficiency of operational, IT and digital workflows.
  • Plan and specify IT requirements in mostly cloud-first environments.
  • Project manage implementation of new systems and procedures and liaise with third-party SaaS vendors when needed.
  • Oversee procurement of internet services and liaise with Internet Service Providers.
  • Setup and management of Google Workspace and other collaboration tools.
  • Write additional IT training documentation as and when required.
  • Setup document management systems and digital work flows to maintain brand and business standards.
  • Develop and implement data backup and security protocols to protect key business data.
  • Train managers to follow good IT security practices and undertake simple out of hours system troubleshooting.
  • Source and recommend hardware, software and cloud based solutions that balance performance with client budget requirements and their long-term business goals.
  • Manage new site openings, from initial planning and service provider coordination to network installation and WiFi setup.

IT Infrastructure and Network Management

  • Design, install and manage LAN’s and the cloud-based IT services stack to ensure robust, scalable infrastructure at all sites.
  • Terminate, test, label and document of Cat 5e and Cat6 Ethernet cabling systems.
  • Implement secure WiFi systems, including guest networks with VLANs and third-party captive portals.
  • Configure and manage multi-WAN routers, LAN gateways, and network switches.
  • Install ISP routers in racks and cabinets.
  • Administer cloud-based UniFi Network controllers.
  • Monitor network performance to proactively troubleshoot potential issues.
  • Oversee setup and installations of cloud based IP phone systems, specifying call flows, auto-attendants, and time-based routing and liaising with Managed Service Providers.
  • Configure and maintain EPOS and stock management systems.
  • Install, test and troubleshoot desktop and WiFi devices.
  • Maintain IT cabinets, ensuring efficient space and system organisation.
  • Collaborate with external IT vendors and technicians, including CCTV and A/V engineers, to ensure seamless integration of all systems.
  • Maintain and update IT configuration documentation and cabling topology diagrams.
  • Troubleshoot, research and advise on new tech solutions or enhancements.
  • Plan and execute system upgrades and hardware replacements, minimising downtime.
  • Resolve staff issues promptly to maintain IT operational efficiency.

Software and Hardware Proficiency, Tools and Technologies

  • Operating Systems:
    Mac OSX, iOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows.
  • Networking:
    Unifi Network Controllers, Omada Network Controllers.
  • Routers and Firewalls:
    Ubiquiti, EdgeRouter, DrayTek, TP-Link, MikroTik.
  • Switches:
    Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, TP-Link, Netgear Managed Switches.
  • Network Cabling:
    Cat 5e and Cat6 Ethernet cabling systems.
  • WiFi Systems:
    Ubiquiti UniFi, TP-Link Omada.
  • Protocols:
    DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, SFTP, SSH.
  • Internet Cicuits:
    Fibre Ethernet, FTTP Ethernet, SOGEA Ethernet, FTTP Fibre Ethernet, FTTP Fibre Broadband, SOGEA Fibre Broadband, Mobile Broadband.
  • VoIP Telephony Systems:
    Spitfire's FireSwitch Hosted PBX.
  • Cloud Services:
    Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS):
    WordPress, MODX.
  • Financial:
    Xero, Sage Line 50, Microsoft Excel and VBA scripting.
  • Creative:
    Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator ,inDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, Express, Figma.
  • Programming:
    HTML, CSS, PHP, Git, GitHub, AppleScript.
  • AI Tools:
    ChatGPT, Claude, Adobe AI Assistants, CoPilot for Visual Studio Code.

Digital and Web Skills

  • Code and customise websites using HTML, CSS, and PHP, with a focus on responsive, user-friendly designs.
  • Maintain software version control with Git to track changes and ensure smooth development workflows.
  • Manage dynamic CMS platforms (WordPress, MODX) and static websites with HTML/CSS.
  • Optimise assets for fast-loading, high-performance websites.
  • Familiar with web hosting technologies, including shared hosting, VPS, and domain management.

Design and Creative

  • Create innovative design concepts for digital and print assets, including logos, posters, and web images.
  • Design layouts and social media visuals that align with brand identity and engage target audiences.
  • Plan, design, and develop small-scale websites that reflect brand goals and improve user experience.
  • Assist clients with CMS management, offering support to maintain and update website content.
  • Produce Design Style Guides to maintain brand consistency across digital and print materials.
  • Prepare visual IT Network Diagrams.
  • Prepare of Visual IT Documentation and run IT training sessions.
montage of cabling imagery

IT and Project Management Articles

design items on a cutting board

Digital Design Work Examples