This year, Sofis proudly celebrates 40 years of linear key valve interlocking, a major milestone in mechanical safety innovation. But while the spotlight is on the product, there’s another story worth telling: the internal systems and infrastructure that quietly support everything from production planning to global logistics. For over two decades, Alan Powell Davies has played a central role in keeping those systems running smoothly. As Senior Systems Administrator, Alan has helped evolve and maintain Sofis’ internal IT landscape, ensuring the company runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently behind the scenes. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Alan Powell Davies’ story reflects personal growth, the technological and cultural evolution of Sofis, and a passion for the outdoors.
A career that spans generations
“I think Sofis has been growing pretty consistently since I joined,” says Alan Powell Davies, who has spent 23 years with Sofis. When he started at Smith Flow Control, valve interlocks comprised the core of the product range, with a few tag-out options sprinkled in. Today, Sofis offers everything from valve interlock solutions, smart key management systems for valve interlocks, to portable manual valve operators and remote valve operators.
Growth you can measure
The evolution has been steady and strategic. Alan has witnessed firsthand how the product variety and company headcount have expanded, each development reflecting a step forward. “Big valve interlock orders have kept growing, but we’ve also been introducing new product lines.”
From metal shavings to system design
Alan didn’t start in IT. “I started as an assembly engineer,” he explains. Fresh out of college, he found himself ‘drilling holes in metal’ and diving deep into the workshop side of the business. His first significant contribution? Streamlining the tagging process for valve interlocking keys. “One of the first developments I worked on was the automation of the tagging process from start to end.”
A digital shift
Alan’s journey took him through several departments like sales, documentation, and eventually, into IT. “The business decided they needed an IT department. So, they asked me if I could be the IT man. Since then, the role of IT in the business has continued to expand, and we are always looking for ways we can improve both our processes and products through digital innovation.
A self-taught tech expert
“With a small IT team supporting a global business, we have to be adaptable. Most of the IT knowledge I have built up over the years I have gained from just getting stuck in and doing it.” Today, he oversees everything from server management to Dynamics 365, SolidWorks, and quality management systems. “Anything and everything,” he says. “Any systems that we use, I tend to get involved with.”
Complexity as opportunity
As the company grew, so did the complexity of its systems. Alan embraced that challenge. “You’ve always got to be open to learning new things. I enjoy finding new challenges and making sure the systems fit our processes and people.”
Tech that works for people
This focus on usability is critical. “An amazing IT system only works if it works for the people using it,” Alan says. He ensures that technology aligns with the real-world needs of the teams behind it.
A global view on local solutions
Being global has always added an extra layer of interest for Alan. Even back when Smith Flow Control had not yet merged into Sofis, the company had employees across the United States, Australia, Europe, and Asia. “That’s always been an interesting part of the job. Sofis is a relatively small company but a global one, and very multicultural.”
Tailored solutions, tailored systems
Supporting this global scale from an IT standpoint is not a small assignment. One of the biggest challenges? Sofis doesn’t just sell products; it delivers tailored solutions. “When we sell a solution, we can’t immediately say, ‘This is what you need.’ We must understand the problem, gather data, and design the answer first. That doesn’t play nicely with most ERP systems.”
ERP: Evolving with the business
Alan has overseen multiple ERP implementations, constantly refining the balance between automation and customization. “It’s very rare that our sales teams say ‘no’ to a request from our customers. If they have a particular requirement, we will try to adjust our solutions to meet it. That is an important part of the Sofis ethos, but it does create lots of challenges for our systems and processes.”
Innovation in layers
What was the biggest digital leap? There wasn’t just one. “It’s kind of like layers,” Alan says. He lists off the progression: moving from AutoCAD to Excel for MCDS files, then to SolidWorks for 3D design; transitioning from manual stock control to ERP-managed inventories; and eventually implementing DriveWorks to automate and streamline design.
Solving problems before they exist
Still, some of Alan’s proudest contributions go back to his early days. “I was fed up with telling the design team they had made small mistakes in the tagging info for valve interlock keys. So, I thought, can I build a program that does this boring job better?” The result was a tool that completed two days’ worth of tagging work in 30 seconds, with zero errors. “The design team was happy. I was happy.”
Looking ahead to AI
Looking ahead, Alan sees artificial intelligence as the next transformative force in the industry. “The pace of development is astonishing. While it’s still a little uncertain exactly how AI will transform the business, I already use it regularly in my day-to-day work. The potential is massive. We’re just beginning to scratch the surface of what it can do to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and innovation across the business.”
Infrastructure that frees you
Despite the rapid changes, some constants remain. Sofis is part of Halma PLC. Halma has been a key partner in managing critical IT infrastructure, from antivirus solutions to VPNs and virtual machines. “Halma has always been very good at supporting us with a solid IT backbone, which means we have more time to focus on the systems that matter for our business.”
Why 40 years matter
What does celebrating 40 years of linear key valve interlocking mean to Alan personally? “I do think experience matters in what we do. Maybe that will change now that ChatGPT has an answer to every question. But I don’t think so. For me, I have stayed with the business because I enjoy working here. ”
Life beyond IT
When he’s not managing systems or solving IT puzzles, you’ll find Alan in the mountains of Wales, where he lives with his family. “Rock climbing is my passion, but I also enjoy biking, hiking, running, and anything that gets me into the outdoors.”
Driven by making things better
In both work and life, Alan Powell Davies is driven by one thing: making things better. One challenge at a time.