In memory of David Windsor FRICS - QS Elite
"Wouldn't it be a good idea to put a Bills of Quantities system on to a PC" David Windsor, 1981
The Directors of Masterbill are sad to announce that David passed away in hospital on 15th May 2016.
David Windsor was born in Kings Langley on 16th February 1934 and went to Hemel Hempstead Grammar School. Although he wanted to be an architect, his parents had a family connection with a member of the architectural services department in British Rail and so David started his career as a Quantity Surveyor working in the office at Euston Station. He subsequently became a partner in V B Johnson and Partners based on their Watford Office and, always a man of great ideas, suggested writing a program to produce BQ's on their newly acquired Commodore Pet. A team of programmers were engaged and although it was like putting a quart into a pint pot the first program was installed in a QS office in Jersey shortly after.
With the introduction of the first hard disk computers (an amazing 10Mb of storage!) and the Microsoft operating system the hardware finally caught up with the profession and enabled QS's to work in the way that provided the facilities they needed.
The introduction of SMM7 in 1988 saw the complete re-write of the software to incorporate all the pre and post contract, price comparison and analysis facilities and hence it was renamed “QS Elite”.
In the years that followed Masterbill software was installed and used by QS’s around the world and agents appointed in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.
David retired in 1998 but was proud of all that Masterbill had achieved during his time at the helm and was always keen to tell others that “Masterbill software had been used on Hong Kong Airport, The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Stansted Airport and his local Sainsbury’s supermarket.”
Masterbill software continues to be used by QS’s and Construction Companies around the world on projects both large and small and although it has been completely rewritten since David retired in order to make use of the latest technologies it still includes many of the principles and ideas that David instigated during those early years. We are certain that David would have approved of the latest version of Masterbill Elite which incorporates all the features of the QS Elite system together with the latest integrated CAD and BIM measurement facilities which were but a dream when he retired.
Although David retired in 1998 he kept himself busy by making a new career from painting, carpentry and producing a monthly cartoon for the local paper.
David leaves a wife, Margaret, a son, a daughter and 3 grandchildren.
If you have memories of David why not share them with us either on LinkedIn or by emailing us at sales@masterbill.com
If you would like to see the latest version of the Masterbill software please visit our website www.masterbill.com
