There are many recognisable problems in computer science and some of us will be familiar with a few of the classics, made infamous by one well known but terrible Dad joke:

“There are two hard things in computer science: cache invalidation, naming things, and off-by-one errors” - unknown hero

When it came to finding a name for this business, the “naming things” problem really stuck out. Starting with the reasons for the business to exist, it’s focussed on designing, supplying and consulting on the topic of computer networks and application communication. Those topics are complex and involve acquisition and supply of software and hardware, global finances, shipping and taxation, then to the fun stuff; system design, software development, consulting, operations and more. So what would be different between us and any other Value-Added-Reseller or System Integrator?

We’re going to do things differently because we’ll be leaving no stone unturned in any engagement, hunting out truth and holding suppliers to account, yet simultaneously forming strong working relationships so we can reliably transact business, forecast delivery dates and resolve support issues. If we’re providing software consultancy, it means meeting the requirements head on and ensuring we meet the deliverables without it being a tick box exercise. It means being strong with our customers, maybe telling them things they don’t want to hear, but being accountable to them and doing our utmost to resolve issues as and when they arise. Underlying all of it is a strong sense of ethos for doing things right, whilst at the same time having a name that could be used globally as a brand. It felt like discovering gravity all over again.

You may know of Isaac Newton, famously known for being hit on the head with an apple (an over simplification, but a good vehicle to tell a story!), but he is also attributed for co-inventing integral and differential calculus. Incidentally he also once inserted a blunt needle into his eye socket to study the nature of light and vision but that’s for another story. This branch of Mathematics he co-defined is useful not just for figuring out the area under a curve but also foundational to many aspects of modern Physics, Engineering, Economics and Computer Science. This study of the humble and elegant Curve led to fundamental breakthroughs that humanity has built upon ever since, and seemed like a good basis for a name. Plus a Curve provides a nice intersection between complex technological concepts and simple elegant architectures. The next challenge was to find the ending for the word curve. After some deliberation and searching, the Curvium name was minted.

Also, the domain happened to be available.

Timeline

1665/1666: Isaac Newton abused by Apple

Jump to the 2020s…

Week 1: Curve Solutions, Curve Technologies, Curve Labs.

Week 4: This is impossible.

Week 5: Something curv…

…time passes, hairs continue to grey…

Unknown week: Curvium? Check the domain! The domain is free! Sold.

September 2025: Launch with name.

Naming things

It’s hard. Come up with a name, there’s a high probability the domain or business name has gone. If the domain is available, is there a trademark or patent issue? Is it famous for something else? Hard beyond words. Naming things really does deserve to be in the famous list at the beginning of this post.

Curvium was a lucky strike but the story above still stands, and it represents the business goals, to solve complex technical challenges with simple elegant design, even though this all might read as a bit of a stretch!. So here we are.

Week two

After taking the company out of stealth in the first week of September, it’s been pedal to metal arranging events, progressing orders and doing business operational tasks. We’re also working on some products, which really bolster the company’s core focus. Watch out for further blog posts in the coming weeks and months.

If you’re wondering who to work with for your next networking project, need to modernise your infrastructure with Arista or PAN, perhaps doing some work with NATS.io or want to get to grips with network automation, please reach out, say hello and let’s chat.

As always, thanks for reading.

David