Of course... the bleeding edge is almost always advanced by baby steps now isn't it? :-P

I truly feel privileged to get tasked with an opportunity that can basically be categorized by phrases like: "Hey, wouldn't it be really friggin' cool if we could get X to do Y, based on Z!" or "I really wish that I could make X do this.  It would save us so much time!"  (Blue Sky, Green Field, etc...) Effectively, any high-level idea that involves the application of several distinct technologies woven together to create a specialized solution to a given problem... and to be honest, its exhilarating to work on and seems like magic when it all comes together in the end.

Recently I was... challenged… with coming up with several innovative ways to use some very cool (and very fresh) new technology that we have acquired.  This would happen to be some very powerful enterprise class video surveillance hardware and software from Cisco Systems. While it's true that getting this hardware to function at it's basic intended purposes wasn't without it's own technical challenges (and blazing new trails from a personal skills perspective), pushing the envelope just that little bit further takes some real tenacity.

As much as I struggle with wearing many different technical "hats" at any given point in time, there are occasions where a broad area of knowledge across several disciplines can allow a single individual to quickly conceive, design, and implement a complete solution from end to end.  That's not to say it's the best way to approach a complex task. When push comes to shove and things need to be as bulletproof as possible, the best way to approach a challenge is with input from all of the colleague’s whose ear I can bend!

A team of MacGyver’s beats a single MacGyver any day ;-)

Basically, the culmination of my last couple days of effort can be captured in the following image:

If you haven't guessed what this actually represents, let me elaborate:

We have managed to get live streaming video from an enterprise integrated wireless (WPA2) security camera delivered to my personal iPhone via a Cisco IPSEC VPN over the (dreaded EDGE!) cellular network.

In addition to this, advanced motion detection capabilities have allowed us to configure email (and other) notifications containing both a captured video stream, as well as a live streaming URL to be delivered to a mobile device for immediate evaluation (also currently my iPhone, but the skies the limit!).

My point is; creating a useful solution for any given problem really just amounts to the application and integration of many technologies and serious skills to meet all the technical challenges.

That, and as much time as can be spared for the solution.  Oh, and coffee... coffee helps.

RSO.