No cause for alarm

Mike Silva once accidentally set off all the sirens in a petrochemicals control room. Luckily, the answer lay in a simple IT module reboot

What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?

I was a design draughtsman, which for many years was done the old-fashioned way, until CAD came along. My way into IT was because of my experience with CAD systems and my language skills helped no end.

Should Prince William shave his head?

Yes, because he reminds me of Arthur Scargill.

If you had to choose just one leisure activity, would you choose an art or a sport?

Sport. It's good for the body, soul and mind.

What never fails to make you laugh?

Comedian David Armand. Just take a look on YouTube, the bloke is a genius.

What has been your toughest moment at work so far, and how did you resolve the situation?

Being involved in the installation of a process control system in a petrochemicals control room and setting off all the alarms and sirens. Luckily, I didn't panic and quickly rebooted the module that had caused the problem.

Where would you like to go or what would you like to do on your next holiday?

I'd like to cycle around the world - because it's faster than walking.

Is it wrong to tell little white lies? If not, under what circumstances?

No, not if no one gets hurt and it is beneficial all round.

What will be the most important trend to follow in 2013?

More digitalisation and everything online. Time is of the essence - today more than ever. Business needs to keep its finger on the pulse and finding out the e-communications server is down is not acceptable. Downtime in any form costs money.

In a world of ever-shrinking budgets, we need to make the most of our human and infrastructure resources, so IT managers need to source accurate information quickly.

Is there a long-term future for IT distribution?

With customers becoming more demanding, distribution will need to add some sort of service, rather than simply reselling kit. The old-fashioned box shifters will inevitably fall by the wayside.

What is the best way to get UK plc growing again?

Produce something unique. The City has been proven not to be the answer. Just take a look at Germany: only last year China overtook Germany as the number one exporter in the world.

Your closest near-death experience?

Getting run over by a Morris 1800, having fallen off my moped. Smashed pelvis, ruptured bladder, et cetera. It took me four months to get back to work and eight to recover completely.

What are you reading?

Racing Through the Dark by cyclist David Millar. I admire him as a cyclist and for his quest to clean up the sport of cycling.

What is more important: loyalty or morality?

Morality. You have to live with yourself.

If you had your time again, what would be your next choice of career?

An artisan. Working with one's hands can be very creative and rewarding.

Mike Silva is EMEA sales director at Ipswitch