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Employer of the Year 2009
At a prestigous ceremony in County Hall, Morpeth, BACK Consulting won the accolade of being Employer of the Year 2009. BACK beat off hundreds of companies in the north east to claim the prize. To show the quality of work experience in the company it was a great surprise to see that it was a former employee who nominated the company. Rachel Sanderson gave a rousing rendition of all reasons why BACK gave her the confidence to acheive her goals.
The night was also a pat on the back to all the hard working staff at the council who make adult learning and work placements happen. With their efforts people in the region can look forward to brighter prospects. Other prize winner categories were for outstanding individual efforts who businesses have nominated. Best award of the night was to a special acheiver who had lost his voice but never let himself be held down.
To contact BACK, Employer of the Year 2009, please click here.
XML Based Content Management Systems
If you look at traditional CMS designs they tend to be database driven to store objects. BACK Consulting has built many such websites and they have a purpose and a place in the world. Recently we have developed a few CMS sites for clients using XML as the data store and applying XSL with XHTML to produce the same effect. All of this is done using ASP.NET and C# and still using the same controls for wriritng content that would be used for the database.... to read the full blog item click here.
Is The Tide Turning?
Having lots of regular contact with other businesses in the region there seems an ever increasing sense of optimism about the future of the economy in the region and the country as a whole. Christmas is coming and retail is gearing up for its most important time of the year whilst service based businesses tend to go quiet around this time. Regardless of this there seems to be a surge of work.... to read the full blog item click here
NewBould Option For Dan
Property investor Dan Newbould has just launched his new website www.youhaveoptions.co.uk built by BACK Consulting. Dan's web presence is critical to his to his expanding enterprise and was delivered in double quick time by BACK. Dan new exactly what he wanted and the design and with some help from the creative team at BACK led by Min Park Dan's site was alive and well in short order.
Dan commented "I bumped into BACK at a networking event for the Property Business and seeing BACK's portfolio and specialisation in working with Landlords and Investors the decision was easy. Min's design team knew exactly what I was looking for aand I was involved in the construction of the site so that the whole project was a collaboration rather than an interpretation."
BACK are delighted to see another happy client and add Dan to their portfolio of Property projects. Whatever size of project you need you can talk to BACK.
CC Development Update
Leading legal service comparison website www.compareconveyancing.com is fast approaching its version 2 launch date and development has been going well. The new search functionality is now in place and working. We managed to split out the old code based system into a database driven one so that people can now purchase additional postcode regions whenever they want. There is good use of jQuery in there and a restructuring of the page ordering so that the postcode purchase page can be brought up any time the law firm wishes.
In order to fit in with the newly defined business model we have altered the search results to show as little as possible for the “basic” listings. This will bring the focus of attention to the premium listed people who have paid for.....to read the full blog item please click here.
Tuan Listens to Hero - Scott Guru & MVC 2
Tuan went on a bit of an adventure to hear all about the latest developments in his field:
"After missing out on WebDD( an event that created for web developers and designers ) in Microsoft Reading on April, I was always wanted to get to one of the Microsoft Techy event. The chance has come when ScottGuru twitting about an event called Guathon in Manchester( which planned by same group of talented developer), thanks to the organizers for moving to a bigger room so that I could pass through the long waiting list and be there at the event. It was an early morning for me to catch the train to Machester, but it was all excited to see the Microsoft hero Scoot Guru".....to read the full blog item please click here.
SuperMondays Database Lecture
Tuan and I attended the latest SuperMondays event (on Monday strangely enough) which covered a wide range of database related knowledge sharing. The event was well attended within Newcastle University with many good IT professionals turning up to listen to what people had to say. The topics are always cutting edge and the idea is that everyone is open and free with tips and techniques to promote good practice in the region.
The first speaker was Ross Conney who is also the joint owner of the not for profit company who gave a background on databases from inception in the 60’s to the modern day cloud based offerings. He accepted that most people knew the basics and looking around he was probably right. The second speaker.....to read the full blog item please click here.
Business Link Promoting e-Commerce
BACK is a 5 star recommended supplier of e-Commerce technology for Business Link so we were interested to see the following article by Gil Lee of Business Link:
IT is a part of almost every business' day-to-day life. It enables businesses to work more effectively or take advantage of new opportunities that wouldn't exist if it were not for the development of new systems and services.
However, whatever level of IT and e-commerce solutions you use, it's important to get them right. This means that you need to understand the ways in which technology can make your business more effective and how to go about selecting the right system to meet your business needs. You also need to select systems that are capable of growing as your business grows.
The IT function in every business is about capturing, processing, storing and distributing information or data. Therefore the first principle of aligning IT with business is to have a clear understanding of your business itself. Without this it's difficult to ensure that you'll get the most out of any IT investment that you make.
Before you consider investing in IT solutions, you need to identify the business objectives you have set out in your business plan. For example you may want to improve customer service and communicate with customers and suppliers more effectively or cut your costs and streamline your business' operations.
Once you're clear what your objectives are, you can then decide how technology can help you achieve them.
As well as considering the overall objectives of your business, you also need to consider what you do, and how you do it when considering IT provision. Some key factors to take into account are organisational systems, key suppliers and customers.
Another way in which you can understand your business better is to establish the ways in which it is likely to change as a result of either internal or external factors, such as legislation, regulation and business initiatives.
It is important to understand how these changes are likely to impact upon the business and, in turn, how IT will support such changes. This will ensure that any IT investment you make now is capable of supporting your business and its operations in the longer term.
Whatever your level of usage and the sophistication of your IT requirements, Business Link can help you get to grips with IT and will make sure you have all the information required to get the best IT setup for your business.
For more information on IT and e-commerce or on how to complete a business plan, go to www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast, or call 0845 600 9 006 to speak to a Business Link adviser.
Alternatively you can contact BACK direct by viewing our contact us page and we can tell you about our solid track record in this area.
Gradon Architecture Website
Top architecture firm Gradon Architecture turned to BACK to provide its online presence. The site had to match the high quality of work provided by the company and with this in mind BACK made use of a lot of white space, cutting edge images and high Flash content. Graham McDarby himself came up with numerous interactive and animated designs for Creative Technologist Minkeun Park to turn into reality. The result is a visually stunning treat for the user. Upon release clients of BACK and Gradon commented on how good the final result is. BACK looks forward to working with Gradon in the future.
Quorum Website
Real-time software company Quorum Development came to back for a low cost website based upon an extension of what they already had. Updating existing logo's and layout the client decided on a cropped image in the header with different cuts from a master image all in a company blue hue. The development of this site involved a client meeting where they showed BACK various websites and discussed elements from each they approved of. These were then incorporated into the final design. We're very pleased with the overall result.
Blog Item: GMail for Business
GMail has been out for a long time now and many businesses have made the transition across to use it full time. With calendaring, contacts and emails it can be an online version of your own desktop email system and all the maintenance work such as backups are done by someone else. But for some the Outlook interface...... to read the full blog item please click here.
Blog Item: Business Value In BPM
One thing that has become apparent in the global economic downturn is that businesses are looking inside themselves and analysing systems rather exclusively looking to the external market to provide benefits to their efficiencies. A survey by Gartner has stated that there has been a 44% increase in 2008 for Business Process Mangement related activties. BPM can give you...... to read the full blog item please click here.
Motoring Ahead
North Shields based Brian's School of Motoring is delighted with the results of his website update by BACK Consulting. The site used existing content with a few modifications but a completely new design from a brief given by Brian and Sandy. Utilising Flash gave a completely fresh appearance whilst a clear and concise menu system set out exactly what the business is aiming achieve. Brian is delighted with the results:
"I was initially sceptical when I received a mailer about low cost websites from BACK Consulting but I decided mine needed a make-over so I picked up the phone. BACK came to see me and we talked through all the options and prices to get where I wanted. I can't believe the quality for the price and the proof is in the pudding: one day after going live I received my first enquiry direct from the site. Result."
To find out more about our Low Cost Website offering please client here or why not contact us
Refreshing Times at Buchanan Macleod
Leading Scottish law firm Buchanan Macleod decided that their corporate website needed a bit of a refresh but without the normally associated huge cost. BACK Consulting's low cost website is proving ever popular as people what to quality work for the smallest amount of money possible. Retaining Buchanan Macleod's great reputation for legal services the corporate image was to be spruced up and given a bit of life but retain the core content with a few amendments. Managing Partner Karen Buchanan was delighted with the resuts:
"It's a complete change from what we had before yet it is firmly aligned with our current company logos and colour schemes so we do not have to tak eon additional costs to get these replaced as well. The site was turned round in a matter of days even with the list of amendments I made on the fly. I couldn't as for more."
If you want to know more about our low cost service please click here. If you would like to get in touch please contact us.
Sun Smiles on a Crocus
Tracey Elvin of Crocus Business Solutions basked in the glow of a job well done when BACK Consulting completed the design and construction of her new corporate website. Recommended by a friend she approached BACK with an idea already formed in her head for her Business Solutions company l- the crocus flower was to feature prominently in the page layout and be transferrable across other media such as letterhead and business cards. Working closely with the BACK team she was delighted with the whole process and the speed of turnaround:
"Thanks for a superb service, your team have made my dreams a reality and I can’t thank you enough for that. I have just made an appointment with a previous contact, he has commented on the brilliant look of the website, I will pass your card on when I see him at the end of the month."
Tracey has already referred her friends to back to received the same high value work.
Wharton fully Armed
Bedlington public house The Wharton Arms decided they needed a website as it is a great advertisement tool and a fantastic way to gain new customers as well as informing existing customers of forthcoming events. They viewed a number of service providers and decided to use BACK Consulting for a variety of factors put mainly because of the excellent price and the quality of websites they had previously produced.
Brother and sister David and Louise Laidlaw were thrilled with the professional and reliable service received from all members of staff who were all friendly and happy to help. Two members of staff went and visited the owners at the pub prior to the website being built and agreed on a number of requirement..... for the full story please click here
In Conversation With Andrew Charlton
Monday 30th March was Director Andrew Charlton's big speaking date as he was faced one on one with Bridge Club owner Caroline Theobald in front of a captive audience. The conversation was a review of BACK and how it came about from the pre formation days through the early days to the recent major contract wins. Andrew gave a tour de force on business issues and especially in the area of debt recovery. It was good to see old friends such as Matt Flinders and Stephen Slater from RMT Accountants as well as employees from old employers Ward Hadaway.
Hopefully all who attended got something out of the evening and soon the PODCast will be available online at The Bridge Club website.
Mark Ashley Moves On
After a very productive stint with BACK Consulting Project Manager and Business Development Mark Ashley has moved on to bigger things. It was clear from the beginning that this was a talented individual and it was only a matter of time before he spread his wings into the wider world. We forsee Mark being nothing but a roaring success and hope to keep in contact with the big man in the future. Good luck Mark.
Blog Item: Web Design On The Move
There must be something in the water but right now we have more web design work than we ever had and the trend looks set to continue as customers see the high standard of our work and our low cost pricing model. Creative Technologist Minkeun Park has been on red hot form producing some top quality sites which have attracted universal praise from recipients.
For the full story please click here.