About William Barr

William J. Barr is a senior management consultant with extensive experience in technology strategy and market strategy. In his more than 30 years as a leading technologist and business strategist, he has become known for his ability to synthesize and articulate key issues. His background blends business, marketing and technology management for leading telecom and financial services companies and technology oriented startups. He has specific expertise in information systems design and development, information and network security, the architecture of infrastructure systems, and smart cards.

Among his recent engagements, he was Managing Executive of the Enterprise Architecture Standing Committee for the Financial Services Technology Consortium (http://www.fstc.org).

His background includes many years as a leading edge software developer at Bell Laboratories and Bellcore. In 1986 he became chief software architect for Bellcore's Software Systems where he led the definition of the OSCA™ Architecture, which was later recognized as the first three-tier client server architecture. In 1988, he took a similar position in Bellcore's Network Systems where he was tasked with introducing distributed systems technology into the systems that run and manage telephone networks. This work resulted in the creation of the INA Architecture. This was taken into the international standards arena and resulted in the creation of the TINA Consortium to further develop the architecture. The TINA Architecture has become the basis for major network projects worldwide.

Bill formed the first research collaboration between Bellcore and a financial institution and went on to manage Bellcore’s activities in the non-Telecom space. During 1997-8 Bill served as Acting Senior Director for security and risk management at BITS, the technology arm of the Financial Services Roundtable.

Bill continued his involvement in advanced technology through his membership on the Management Committee of the ANSA Project based in Cambridge, UK, his leadership and role in the Advisory Council of the Financial Services Technology Consortium, his leadership in the Smart Card Forum where he was a founder and served in a number of capacities including Chairman of the Board from 1997 - 1999 and in numerous other professional roles.

He is co-author and co-editor with Catherine Allen, CEO of The Santa Fe Group, of the book Smart Cards, Seizing Strategic Business Opportunities. Bill has made many press appearances including live TV on CNBC's Power Lunch program. He has been a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars around the world.