Services
Web Development Services
A website is one thing. But the technology used to build CMS and e-commerce websites is a fully fledged programming language. Hence the development of 'web software'.
Basically, anything that you can do in a normal piece of software can be replicated in an online piece of software.
What are the benefits?
The main benefit of an online application is that it is available to multiple users across your organisation from any internet browser anywhere in the world. Another benefit is that any software improvements and developments all happen in one place so the cost and time involved in the deployment of upgrades is minimal.
Isn't there a lot of free software now?
A lot of web software (e.g. CRM, Accounting, Project Management etc) is actually open source (free!) but it is often set up in a very generic way - so not configured how you want or doesn't work in quite the way you want it to. There would be a cost to the installation, configuration and setup of the software and it may still not work 100% how you really wanted. So, there is a compromise. Use 'off the shelf' free or very cheap software or have something built bespoke.
Isn't having something bespoke expensive?
On the face of it... it may seem that way. However, having a web application built for your business may save you '000 of pounds of operational costs such as:
Staff
Sadly, if something can be automated, you don't need the staff that you had to do that job. A (very) meaty web application may cost you £20K to have developed but, if you are able to free up just 1 member of staff, the savings are realised well within a 2year ROI timeframe.
IT infrastructure
If you have data being managed/input/accessed from multiple sites, how is that being facilitated from a n infrastructure perspective. Nowadays IT costs have decreased but a dedicated line can still cost £5k a year and often, there is a central data point with satalite offices accessing the data over a slow connection such as Citrix. A web application could eliminate this need and speed up the ability for different sites to access live data.
Time
If you have sales team out on the road, they probably already have a web dongle on their laptop or a mobile phone with web access. They could update their records, fill in CRM and even generate estimates and invoices all in the central system from their car. Meaning the data your business is using is up-to-the minute and the customers can be serviced that much faster. You can even produce a web-application for mobiles so they can do it from their iPhone, HTC or Blackberry.
It is a huge time saving and means data is entered straight after appointments - which means it is more accurate. It also means that sales staff can spend more time selling rather than having to 'come in to the office to do paperwork'.
Administration and Data inputing
It's a strange thing but web designers and developers have been bashed over the head about usability, simplicity of function and ease-of-use for ages. The web was new and we need to minimise the 'thinking' required when people use a website.
So, when developing web applications/software, a strange thing has happened. Web applications are now, often, more user friendly than desktop ones. They're just more intuitive, easier to learn and easier to use on a daily basis.
As well as this, once the logic etc of a web application is correct, tweaking the user experience is quite easy. So, users can log change requests that can be actioned swiftly (from one central point) and ensure the software has as easier launch as possible. Staff tend to embrace software that works well quickly. And, if something doesn't work well but is rectified quickly, they feel involved and warm to the application.
It's amazing because it means that admin efficiency really does improve and a large organisation can save '000 of pounds in saved training costs and the time wasted when employees just hate to use a bit of software.
