Services - Software Development

Core Skills

.NET desktop & browser applications
C# and VB development
Cloud applications
Windows Desktop 8 / Server

Programs Built to Your Specification

Sometimes off the shelf software just doesn't fit the bill, you need something bespoke, you need your own application. You're probably going to need a computer programmer to write that for you, and that's where we can help. We've been developing bespoke business applications for years, so we know what works and what doesn't, and how real business problems can be solved by the right sort of software.

We take the time to look at your existing practices and design software that makes your working methods more efficient, more reliable and put the right information into the hands of the people who need it. We provide programs that work for you, designed around the way that you want to work.

More importantly, your success is our testimony. We take the time to understand your business and how the pieces fit together to provide the perfect solution. Couple this with our guarantee of quality and what you get is complete satisfaction delivered on time and within budget. Want to get the ball rolling? Give us a call on 0191 478 6262.

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Services - Website Development

Core Skills

Clean and symantic HTML and CSS.
Agency quality design skills.
Front end technologies: jQuery, Ajax, Javascript.
Umbraco content management.
Rapid development with the .Net Framework.
Bespoke Ecommerce solutions.
User experience enhancement.

Websites that extend your business

Cheviot Data Systems is much more than a web design company. We have specialists from disciplines across the broad field of software development and that is what makes our approach different to our competitors. A website, after all, is a program designed to run on the web.

Most businesses are unique which is why we don't offer "one size fits all" solutions for the web. We create websites and web applications that meet specific business goals and ultimately work to extend the reach of your business. Of course, we also have the skills to make sure that it looks great and takes advantage of the latest innovations too.

If the most straight forward solution is the best strategy for your business, then that is what we put on the table. When a more creative approach is required we draw upon our technical and design experience to provide innovate solutions.

We use Umbraco to provide robust and useable content management, create responsive websites that display appropriately on different devices and provide off-the shelf and bespoke e-commerce solutions to allow you to sell online.

We can also help you with the less technical aspects such as search engine optimisation, digital marketing strategies and evaluations of your existing web presence.

Our approach is the same whether you are a business start-up on a limited budget or an established organisation looking to extend your presence on the web. We establish your expectations, create benchmark goals and support a working relationship which extends beyond the launch of the site.

Have or a project in mind? We would be more than happy to discuss it with you. Call us on 0191 478 6262

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Services - Sharepoint and Office Integration

Core Skills

Custom application pages.
Event receivers.
Workflow development.
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

Is your software missing something?

As good as Microsoft Office and SharePoint are, sometimes you can make them a little better with some key customisations. Maybe your admin department would be streamlined with a workflow in SharePoint, or you'd like to improve the sales department with some CRM features for inbound enquiry emails?

We understand the limitations that off-the-shelf applications can have. Cheviot Data Systems has a proven track record in identifying small improvements that lead to big savings through automation and efficiency.

Make the most of your existing software investment, and just add a little extra functionality. Get in touch with us on 0191 478 6262 to discuss how the smallest of changes can make a big difference to your working day.

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Services - Database Design

Core Skills

Database design
Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL)
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Service (SSRS)
Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Microsoft Transact SQL

Get More Out of Your In-House Data

Every business has their own 'in house' solution to manage a process or administration task. Often this is a spreadsheet used as an ad-hoc data file, created in house in an attempt to "get things organised”. This often ends in frustration or data loss, the spreadsheet can't be written to by more than one user at a time and users often end up with multiple versions of the same file, or worse, overwrite the current version with an old version.

Customers often start the conversation with, "Can a spreadsheet be multi user?", to which we reply, "Yes, by converting it into a database!". Let us organise your critical data into a true relational database and make it accessible to all users and preventing it being accidentally overwritten.

Building a database application can provide so many more benefits than this. Take the time to speak to an experienced professional and you'll be wondering why you didn't do it sooner. Keep you business data safe, organised and efficient. Call us today on 0191 478 6262.

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Services - Utility and productivity

Core Skills

C# and VB
Console Applications
Windows Services
Web Services
Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)

Sometimes Smaller is Better

Not all business problems are solved by a full blown application. Sometimes the most appropriate solution is found in utility programmes that remove a chore or automate a process. They often take the form of a command line utility or a Windows Service and perform tasks such as backup utilities, document and email archiving, automated emails and text reminders.

If your staff spend a lot of time doing something, then there's a good chance that a utility programme could save you some money.

We provided simple solutions to simple problems...and we do it quickly and efficiently. It's inexpensive and extensible, so if you find yourself bogged down with repetative tasks, get in touch and we'll make your IT do the work for you. Call us on 0191 478 6262.

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Services - After Care

Features

Fair rates for support
Contracts for peace of mind
Years of support experience
No sales staff

Your external In-House Developers

We prefer to develop lasting relationships with our clients and invest time in finding out how you run your business, so we can provide the solutions to make it run even better. We're not a "hit and run" organisation.

We know that our customers will be using our software for years to come and there will inevitably be times when they need support, so we offer reasonable support rates and contracts.

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Design Expertise as Standard, not an Extra

Core Skills

Interaction design
Interface design and User Experience Refinement.
Information architecture and design.
User-centric design.
Background in graphic and visual arts

Great design is part of our process

When it comes to software and website developent, we understand that the design process is more than just making an application look pretty. We start by making sure your information is suitably organised, easy to access and aethestically presented.

The interface is a direct connection between the functions of your software and the people using it. We ensure that our software is designed to facilitate finishing the task at hand without drawing unnecessary attention to itself by using existing and easily recognised conventions.

Unlike other software developers who put too much emphasis on the code alone, we employ a User Experience Designer and an Information Architect with the balance of skills to create software that looks great and works for the purpose intended in the hands of your staff.

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jQuery

Core Skills

Widget Authoring
Plug-in Authoring
Javascript
Ajax

jQuery to enhance your website

The chances are you have already encountered jQuery on the web, even if you haven't realised it! If you don't know what it is then you don't need to worry. We know how and when to use jQuery to bring your site to life, imporve loading times and offer a richer experience. We make use of existing, free libraries and plug-ins to enhance the visitors experience and deliver the functionality that you expect from the today's web. If it's not out there already we have the skills to code whatever is required from a simple widget to a full-blown plug-in.

If you are familiar with jQuery and you are looking for someone to develop a plug-in or widget for you, we would love to help. Give us a call to discuss your requirements on 0191 478 6262

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Content Managed Websites

Core Skills

Umbraco CMS
MSSQL
VB/C#
jQuery

Umbraco is our weapon of choice

When it comes to providing content management for websites we use Umbraco. Its powerful, completely customisable, it fits in to our development framework and the software is free! This means that you get the perfect bespoke management tools to update your website without forking out for expensive software on top of the development costs.

It has all the features that you would expect from a content management system (CMS) including support for Microsoft Word. It is versatile enough to provide the back end for websies, Mobile Apps and Kiosks and in our experience has proven to be the easiest system to use for our clients.

The fact that companies like Microsoft, Heinz and Peugoet are using it to manage their sites should be proof enough...but if not, take a look for yourself at the Umbraco website.

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Server

Core Skills

Windows Services
Exchange Server Web Services
Windows Communication Foundation
Active Directory
Console Applications

Windows Server

When we talk about development for Windows Server, we're normally talking about some form of automation, or centralised data service

You may need a scheduled task to repeat an operation every hour, maybe process a mailbox in Exchange Server, or backup critical files to a remote location.

One thing is for certain, whatever your need is, it probably isn't avaiable off the shelf.

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