• Home Networking
• Wireless network security
• Virus/Spyware/Adware protection, scan and removal
• Online Child Safety
• Internet Setup
• System tune-up and Optimization
• Data Recovery
• Secure Data Deletion
• One-Time Data backup
• Data Migration
• Snapshot CD Creation
• Hardware Install / Upgrade
• Install / Upgrade Software titles / Software Suite
• Computer Training
• PC Troubleshooting and Help

• Deleted Files
• Lost Partitions
• Bad Sectors
• Hard drive failure
• Formatted / Damaged drives
• Virus Attacks
• Software malfunction
• USB drives
• Digital camera and flash cards
• Memory Card Recovery – Digital Pictures
• 8×6 specializes in retrieving your memory card pictures if they accidentally get deleted

You just need a computer, internet connection, microphone and headphones.

We advise you how to protect your identity, your computer and your privacy.

We guide you to find the best applications and web sites that help you use the internet to improve your everyday life.

Is your computer running slower than when you first bought it?

When was the last time it had an ‘oil change’?

It is vitally important to maintain your computer on a regular basis to help prevent system crashes and to optimize your computers performance.  Computer systems can become clogged due to the constant installing of new programs, internet browsing and general day to day use.  You may have noticed already that your computer isn’t as fast as it used to be.  We can perform a number of health checks to optimize your computer system to the best of its ability.

These can include the following:

• Delete Temporary files
• Remove Internet cache files and cookies
• Remove unused programs
• Clean old entries in the windows registry
• Defragment hard drives to improve file access speed
• Advise on windows update procedure
• Optimize the ‘swap file’ for optimum performance.
• Remove spyware, adware and malware
• Set up the system startup wait time correctly
• Improve system responsiveness
• Flush Eventlogs
• And many many more…

There are other aspects to watch out for on your computer.

Spyware: Software that sends information about your web surfing habits to its web site.  Spyware is often installed without the user’s knowledge or explicit permission in combination with a free download or a visit to certain web sites.

Adware – Advertising that is integrated into software.  Adware is often combined with a host application that is provided at no charge as long as the user agrees to accept the adware.

Malware – Malicious software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s informed consent.

We can see what you see!  We control your mouse and keyboard

100% safe, 128 bit encrypted connection

You can end the call at any time

Your privacy is respected at all times

We do not store any information about you

We can diagnose and often repair problems with a computer without ever personally visiting it.

Work performed on the following Operating Systems:

• Microsoft DOS (all versions)
• Microsoft Windows Version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows 95,98 and ME
• Microsoft Windows NT (All Versions)
• Microsoft Windows 2000
• Microsoft Windows XP-Home & XP-Pro
• Microsoft Vista (All Versions)
• Micfosoft Windows 7
• Microsoft Server 2003/2008

All popular software and utilities are supported.

We can help with a range of technical support issues, from start-up errors and device conflicts to blue screen errors and systems freezing.  At 8×6 we can help your PC run fast and efficiently so you can get on with your business and make the most out of your computer.

We offer technical support for your PC through different media, including e-mail, live chat and Internet.

8×6 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.

8×6 has worked with the following clients in the past:

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

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.

• Speed up your PC
• Install broadband
• PC Health Checks
• Remove Viruses
• Upgrade and repair
• Wireless Internet and Email setup

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 8×6 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.

      Hardware

•   Work out which computer is best for you currently and allows you to grow
•   Work out the minimum features required
•   Work out the type of computer you require – laptop, desktop etc

Software

•   Work out the ‘must have’ applications for your computer
•   Free applications that are just as good as paid for applications
•   Applications that can run from the USB stick/drive
•   General discussion of what is available 

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 8×6 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.

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.

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.

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.  8×6 will give you a rapid prototype to ensure that the solution is correct and accurate.
• Testing and User Acceptance Testing – 8×6 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.

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.

.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 8×6 for more information.

Features that are frequently under specified 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.

• 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 8×6 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

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 8×6 our domain name and hosting packages can accommodate your business needs.

• 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?

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.

• 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.  8×6 has used this technique with great success to develop a fully integrated system with a user customizable visual interface.

8×6 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.