8x6 can evaluate how new technology, methods and solutions can be utilized by your business.

We can be engaged to keep you up-to-date with new applications, business solutions and architectures so that you do not miss any opportunity to utilize your technology to the full.

The Microsoft Office environment, Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint etc., provides a feature rich set of programs for writing documents, managing customers, accounts, and other ‘office’ duties.  Built into the ‘office’ applications is Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) – an extremely powerful programming language making it possible to automate many everyday tasks.

• The advanced user of Microsoft products will be familiar with using certain tools to speed up everyday work.  Amongst the favorites are ‘Mail merge’ and ‘Macro Recorder’.  Unbeknown to many is the fact that each of the ‘office’ applications actually incorporate Visual basic for applications (VBA) – making the full power of each application available to software developers.  VBA can be used to extend or alter the behavior of ‘office’ or to integrate them with (or control them from) other applications
• Automation in practice – Data can be extracted from a Relational Database to automatically create invoices in Word.  This allows invoices to be printed using the data and the formatting, page layout, Headers/Footers, etc; which are features ofMicrosoft Word.
• One step beyond – It is also possible to embed VBA in your applications, allowing your own products to be customized by your customers.  8x6 has used this technique with great success to develop a fully integrated system with a user customizable visual interface.

Business systems require data, customer and supplier records, accounting information, product and service details and data driven web sites.

Database design is about organizing your business data in such a way that it can be accessed easily and efficiently.

• Microsoft Access is probably one of the most widely used database package in the world.  Featuring in-built programming capabilities, and user-friendly design tools.  It makes an ideal choice for many home and small business users.
• More powerful, and more complex, is Microsoft Sql Server – geared towards larger multi-user and high volumes of data
• The best choice of database for your application will depend on the details of what you need to achieve, the volumes of data you need to store and process, and the levels of security that you need to enforce.

Client-server architecture is about having a central computing resource, ‘serving’ a number of users or clients.  This could be a database system used by multiple people within an office environment.

• The key to successful design and deployment of such systems is to understand where the potential pitfalls are, and the potential loading on the system.  What happens if two users wish to update a customer’s record at the same time?  Can the system cope when every user logs on simultaneously at 0900 in morning?  If a central server breaks down, how does this affect production?

• Domain and Hosting – Your web-site needs a domain name and your site needs to be hosted on a ‘server’ so that visitors can access the pages.  At 8x6 our domain name and hosting packages can accommodate your business needs.

• Web Site testing – Does your web site work properly?  Most web users have tried to use a web site at one time or another that simply didn’t function in the way that it should.  We offer a site testing service to analyze your web site and identify whether it’s working the way you expected.
• Validation and Optimization – To perform well, attract visitors and achieve respectable rankings with search engines and on-line directories, your site needs to be optimized using targeted content and correct keyword density.  Conformance to standards can also improve site performance and web-site accessibility.

The internet has transformed the way we work, play and conduct business.  Purchasing goods on-line is now a commonplace activity and companies across the globe use the web to promote themselves.  Whether you’re looking for a simple on-line brochure, or a sophisticated e-commerce driven site, the 8x6 team will always give you an honest view of what you can,  and what you can’t achieve using the internet.

• Web Design/development – For most businesses a web site is an essential part of their marketing arsenal – offering an on-line brochure, shop or community to a world-wide audience all day, every day
• Content management – Empowers individuals within your organization to author content for your corporate web site, yet allows you to maintain consistency of design and control of the document workflow.
• E-commerce – Everyone is familiar with e-commerce.  It’s become a smart and cost-effective alternative or adjunct to having a physical shop front, and means you’re able to trade 24 hours a day, every day.

At 8x6 we can define the architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data for a system to satisfy specified requirements.

Open Source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and the transparency of the process.  The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower costs and an end to predatory vendor lock-in.

We can evaluate system that can be automated to free up resources from mundane and repetitive tasks.   A number of our clients have had systems automated and have been able to free up resources, reduce errors significantly and able to complete workload in a fraction of the time that it took normally.

8x6 has the experience, tools and methodology to take an idea and quickly produce a prototype or proof-of-concept, and then work together with the clients to scope the project.

This capability is used with clients that have no specification resources, changing business goals or do not understand how the current technology can be utilized to its optimum.

The most critical part of a project takes place before the actual development phase starts.  During this initial phase discussions take place regarding the overall business reasons behind the project and understanding of the decision behind the need for a software solution. 

n  System Integration

8x6 can develop solutions which bring together subsystems into one system and help to ensure that the subsystems function together as one.  System integration involves joining the subsystems together by ‘gluing’ the interfaces together. If the interfaces don’t directly interlock, the ‘glue’ between them can provide the required mappings.  System integration is about determining the required ‘glue’.

A technical author is a professional writer who designs, creates, maintains, and updates technical documentation – including online help, user guides, white papers, design specifications, and other documents.  At 8x6 we can also take current work for editing and formatting into a chosen standard.

We create documentation that is accurate, complete, unambiguous and as concise as possible to provide documentation tailored for a particular audience.

At 8x6 we are available to train staff in a number of Applications and Operating Systems.  A non-exhaustive list includes:

• Microsoft Office,
• Microsoft Works,
• Opensource
• and other Microsoft applications

Please contact us to discuss any training your company requires and we will be happy to suggest a number of solutions for your staff.

At 8x6 we can provide the training in the following formats:

• Computer Based Training
• Booked Based Examples
• Tutorials – Learning by Example
• Internet based Training
• Company Based Training

Does your company not have the IT expertise ‘in-house’ to properly assess the quality of the tenders? Have significant features of your system been poorly addressed or are they absent completely

Features that are frequently underspecified are as follows:

• Backup plans and data safety
• Disaster recovery plans, and testing of such plans
• Building the system in the mind of future growth
• Compliance with the Data Protection Act
• Definition and measurement of system reliability
• Post delivery support services and costs
• Code Escrow in the event of the suppliers demise
• Data centre security for externally hosted web based scenarios

We can offer independent and impartial advice to help managers make the right decision.  We are able to provide services at many levels, and at any stage of the procurement process. For Example:

• Assessment of your tender or specification documents before they are sent to candidate suppliers.
• Assessment of the proposals and quotations provided by the candidate companies
• Examination of candidate suppliers themselves, including consideration of their working methods, physical infrastructure, internal procedures etc.  This may include visits to their premises if required.
• Critique of the quality of the vendors previous work, if this is available  (for example, other web sites or desktop applications from the same supplier)
• Our services in these areas are usually governed by rigid non-disclosure arrangements (NDAs), and we always operate with absolute discretion.  It is possible for us to provide services to you, the decision maker, but be invisible to any of your candidate suppliers, if this is appropriate for your situation.
• Contact us for an informal discussion about your requirements and we will endeavor to help you make the right decisions in choosing your suppliers.

Having helped you define the objectives of your project, we can then consider how we might best realize them.  What technologies are appropriate?  What limitations are there? Would some minor changes in specification improve the final result?

IIS, ASP, ASP.NET

ASP and ASP.NET allow the running of code on a web-server that will communicate with on-line databases, web-based shops and e-commerce applications.

XP Embeded

XP Embeded is a customizable version of the mainstream Windows XP operating system.  It’s aimed at devices with a dedicated function and allows a system to be built that uses the power and flexibility of Windows, but appears to the end user as a special purpose machine and not a PC.

.NET

The .NET development is extremely feature-rich, bringing powerful new features to Visual Basic, C# and an unrivalled ability to integrate seemingly disparate systems.  Many of the new .NET features are aimed at business systems and internet related applications.

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is the most commonly used operating system in the world, making it an obvious, but not the only, choice of development platform.

Open Source

Applications can also be developed on a platform using Open Source languages, operating systems etc.  Please contact 8x6 for more information.

8x6 specialize in porting applications from legacy operating systems into more recent operating systems.  This will allow the user to experience the latest advances that come with every new operating system as new functionality and graphics are built into these versions.

8x6 can offer bespoke software solutions in a number of areas that will suit your company needs. If you need a database, website, applications or new changes to a ‘brownfield’ development, then 8x6 has the solution.

There are occasions when off-the-shelf software will not meet your business needs.  In order to meet these requirements you need a tailored developed application, the ‘Bespoke Software Development’ service is designed to meet these business demands.  The following areas are covered.

• Business Study & System Specification - A full and detailed business study needs to be carried out to obtain the required specification.
• Application – Detailed specification we will be created before any development is commenced.  8x6 will give you a rapid prototype to ensure that the solution is correct and accurate.
• Testing and User Acceptance Testing – 8x6 fully tests the application before its release to your user’s, which ensures the application has been reviewed, specifically for your companies needs.
• Loading of data – Data loaders can be written to load the new application with historical data.  Many solutions are available to get the required historical data into the new application.

8x6 has been involved in a number of projects moving from ‘brownfield’ development and migrating into the .net architecture.

Many organizations have applications written in legacy or older languages that now need to be ported or migrated onto the newer platforms.  These may be desktop applications, or client-server systems with a database back end.

A particular scenario may be much more complex than simply recording an application in a newer language.  There may well be other important opportunities to consider, for example:

• Upgrading a backend database from Access or SQL 2000 to the latest version
• Upgrading from a client-server system to an intranet or web enabled application.
• Changing the fundamental development language from C++ or visual basic to VB.NET or C#.NET
• There are also hardware changes to consider such as building the newer system on a newer server or introducing new network protocols or security models.

A strong online brochure and e-commerce web site can be used to advertise, promote and sell products on-line 24 hours a day.

Making payments becomes easier and more secure if you use an e-commerce web site to allow payments.

A number of payment systems can make it easier, quicker and more convenient for your customers to make secure on-line payments, and it has the added advantage of timely convenience for the shop owner too.

E-commerce is the term that allows products to be sold on-line to clients using the internet

Why e-commerce?

• Low overheads
• no physical shop front
• Access to a global market
• 24 hour trading
• Pre-authorized credit card transactions prior to dispatch of goods

At 8x6 we can create a fully-customizable on-line shop which will make professional on-line trading a real option for the smaller business.

Your shop will show your own branding, a payment system of your choice, it will have a stock control system that reflects your business model and is delivered to you fully functional, ready to be managed by you, for you.

A number of payment gateways include: Worldpay, NoChex and paypal.  

At 8x6 we can give you current details and advice on the following areas:

      Hardware

n  Work out which computer is best for you currently and allows you to grow

n  Work out the minimum features required

n  Work out the type of computer you require – laptop, desktop etc

Software

n  Work out the 'must have' applications for your computer

n  Free applications that are just as good as paid for applications

n  Applications that can run from the USB stick/drive

n  General discussion of what is available 

How annoying a slow booting system?  Is the frustration of not knowing what you need to ensure that your computer is secure, fast and running with the latest technology getting to you?

Then arrange for a Spring Clean.

Stress is no good for anyone.  So rather than throwing your keyboard out of the window avoid technical frustrations by taking care of the inside and outside of your computer with a periodic spring clean.  The outside is the easy part as most people have given their keyboard a polish or even dismantled their mouse.  For anyone not 100% comfortable with the technicalities of 'spring cleaning' it makes sense to call in the experts.

Health checks are common for people, MOTs are common for cars, and there is no reason why desktops or laptops should not also be given special attention every few months.

We assure customers that their privacy will be respected with any ‘spring clean’ as personal documents are not touched unless specifically requested.  Customers benefit from peace of mind that they are doing the right thing and keeping things in good order.

The 8x6 service is available all year round and can be a bespoke service tailored to the customer’s requirements.  A full check of any type of system can be included such as:

• anti-virus
• spyware
• malware and adware scans
• registry and temp files cleaning
• removal of unwanted startup programs.

How 8x6 can help?

n  Speed up your PC

n  Install broadband

n  PC Health Checks

n  Remove Viruses

n  Upgrade and repair

n  Wireless Internet and Email setup

8x6 enables their clients to become more competitive through innovations in the field of information technology.  The logic in our organization is technical excellence; its heart and soul are the business goals of our clients.

We are a custom bespoke software development company.  We don’t believe in ‘one-off’ customers.  We believe that if we do an excellent job at each stage, we will have a long-term working partnership with you.

8x6 has worked with the following clients in the past:

• Deutsche Bank
• Credit Suisse First Boston
• UBS Warburg
• ABN Amro
• National Australia Bank
• Mitsubishi UFJ
• Alliance Capital
• Reuters
• Alcatel

Email Address support@8x6.co.uk

8x6 is based in Hertford, Hertfordshire which allows easy access to clients in the Southeast area of the UK.  We have a large number of clients situated in the vicinity of London.

Please raise a helpdesk ticket www.8x6.co.uk/helpdesk

8x6 has 20 years experience of working with all types of large scale and mid-sized investment banks, independent software houses, financial institutions, small businesses and private individuals.

We have clients in Central London, Geneva, Sydney and other locations around the world.