Case Studies and Testimonials
Actions at Work Ltd are a new start-up company software company. They develop and provide management information systems that are simple, effective, and offer a cost efficient solution to industries compliance issues, inline with the new REACH guidelines for chemicals used in industry.
Over a period of 3 weeks, InfoLab21 upgraded the company’s Flash website in order to fix a number of functionality problems. As well as correcting hyperlinks and fixing the contact form, an interface was also developed which allows users to login and use the company’s software. The work was completed at no cost to the company and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
“We were delighted with the speed of delivery and excellent support. Brilliant Service!”
Jonathan Lutwyche, Managing Director, Actions at Work Limited
Ahoy There is a dotcom start-up based just outside Lancaster. Their service was launched in 2007 and aims to transform the way buyers and suppliers of services locate and do business with each other. The main difference between ahoythere.com and a directory is the engagement process which is designed to remove the guesswork and speculation for buyers and suppliers respectively.
Prior to assistance from InfoLab21, Ahoy There had developed a prototype of its website. InfoLab21 assisted the company by producing a report detailing the results of a thorough review of the efficiency of Ahoy There's software architecture and database design. The report had a focus on meeting scalability requirements as the company expands. The assistance provided was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and completed in 7 weeks.
"This was a great value add to my business. The staff and students at InfoLab21 conducted themselves professionally and enthusiastically."
Christian Rayner, Director, Ahoy There
EnviroBoat Developments is a consultancy firm in the field of low pollution motive systems for small boats and launches, working both within the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
By installing a computer onboard a passenger ferry, data relating to boat location and passenger numbers could be transmitted, using a GPRS modem, to a central server at regular intervals. The GPRS modem used a mobile phone service with coverage of the area where the ferry would operate. A restricted access web site on the server allows registered users, such as the emergency services, to identify boat locations and current passenger numbers. In addition, a specialised interface installed in the local Tourist Information Centre provides an accurate indication of the ferry schedule for visitors. The work was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund
“Excellent team work and a real effort to understand our requirements. Also really helpful email exchange.”
Gordon Hall, Managing Director.
Farnell Photography Laboratory Limited
Farnell Photographic Lab is a photographic lab operating in Lancaster, specialising in photographic printing for the many fields of professional photography. They have earned a reputation for both outstanding quality and a personal service that enables the best possible results in the finished image, and are picking up both national and international work.
InfoLab21 developed a fresh new website for Farnell Photography Laboratory which allows the company to maintain and add/remove content as required, putting them in control of their online marketing.
The website, which was installed onto suitable web hosting of Farnell Photographic Lab’s choice, included a photo gallery to showcase the company’s work, as well as a contact form to increase the number of enquiries. The site was completed in less than 7 weeks and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
“Kept well informed as to progress of project.”
David Farnell, Laboratory Owner, Farnell Photography Laboratory Limited
GlobiGames was a start-up company with its core activity being publication of quality mobile games in the fastest-growth markets including those of Smart-phone, FlashLite and Java.
A number of small scale single and multiple player games for mobile phones were designed and developed by the InfoLab21 Graduate Academy. The games can be sold and downloaded from a website to a compatible mobile phone. The customer is then able to run the game application and compete against others in their proximity where the game allows. The project was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
“I was particularly delighted by the number of options available and the speed taken to identify the most suitable solution.”
Peter Melling, Director and CEO
Granthams is a long established company providing a wide range of services for the graphics industry. The company has two sites in Preston and Blackpool. The team provides a sales, installation and support service for a wide range of ICT and printing solutions that the company sells to a diverse range of corporate customers throughout the UK.
Granthams approached InfoLab21 for advice as to how they could put in place a robust ICT infrastructure that supports data sharing/exchange between their two premises to help improve productivity. The Graduate Academy provided an ICT appraisal taking into account current and future requirements. This was developed in line with business processes through company visits and working closely with the company. An ICT strategy document focusing on the company's needs in terms of networking requirements and detailing recommendations on options that Granthams could consider, was then produced.
The support was funded through the European Regional Development Fund.
"We decided to get involved with the InfoLab21 Graduate Academy because we wanted to gain some help and insight into the most up to date and current industry practises in the ICT field. Working for a small, but very busy company has meant that we have not always had the time or resource to spend on training courses or gaining accreditations, but working closely with the knowledgeable staff in the Academy during the preparation of the report has meant that we have been able to find out the best way of doing things, and the best way of setting up our ICT systems.
" The report has given us a good benchmark to work with and has given us the assurance that the information and advice we give to our customers is the most up to date."
Kirsty Reader, General Manager
The company specialises in making decorative and architectural glass pieces for both commercial and private customers. It is based on the edge of the Lake District has clients nationwide.
InfoLab21 implemented an online CRM database which is enabling the company to develop a closer relationship with its customers. Assistance also included a brief report outlining possible future improvements to the current use of IT systems, such as a suitable backup strategy and appropriate accountancy software. Assistance was free to the company, and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund
“Very good service, fast turnaround. Provided lots more help than could have imagined. Knowledge was amazing!”
Jo Vincent, Director, Jo Vincent Glass Design.
Penrillian provides software development for the fast growing mobile phone industry and undertakes all types of projects, including complete application development, porting and consultancy. They work with companies worldwide with a client list that includes Handmark, Vodafone and T-Mobile.
InfoLab21 sourced two students from Lancaster University to work with Penrillian over the summer vacation. The students' main task was to research and develop a more accurate time tracking system. One student produced a set of requirements for the system, and another worked on the software that could be used to record the company's billable time against various projects and associated tasks. The company went on to recruit one of the students to work with them on a full time basis. This project took 10 weeks to complete and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
"Excellent students who exactly met our business requirements."
Tony Robinson, Project Manager, Penrillian
Sniff and Wag is the publishing imprint for Frog the Dog books. They are a small independent publishing company who aim to offer a quality and value service. As well as providing books through a trade sales channel, the company also sells direct to schools and the public through an online e-shop facility.
InfoLab21 developed a new web site for Sniff and Wag Publishing in order to expand Sniff and Wag Publishing’s online sales function to allow penetration into a national market. The site also facilitated the delivery of secure pdf documents so that one electronic publication cannot be passed from customer to customer. InfoLab21 also provided advice on back end automation that allows for automated customer registrations to receive e-shots and and electronic newsletters on specific dates. The work was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
"The implementation was completely pain-free. We are delighted and impressed with the easy to use SUWS system that has freed up so much office time."
Helen McGlasson, Executive Director, Sniff and Wag Publishing
SP Signs provides commercial graphical services including wide format printing (on a variety of mediums), vehicle signage and sign writing. The company was established in 1998 and offers services to a wide range of clients, ranging from corporate contracts to individual one-off projects.
InfoLab21 helped SP Signs support the direct marketing of services to clients by producing an editable e-commerce website with a consistent design and emphasis as a marketing tool. The website included the opportunity for cross selling from one product to another which was vital for the promotion of the newer product ranges.
As well as re-developing the company’s website to include additional products, a content management system was introduced to allow the editing of main pages. All this was provided free and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
“Huge thanks for the funding. Hopefully now with my website I can look forward in all areas of my business.”
Scott Patterson, Director, SP Signs
The Research Engine is a specialist company which provides research related services to the academic community in the UK. The company works with academics in both data collection and data analysis via an online tool which they have created.
InfoLab21 provided assistance to The Research Engine by producing a user interface for a software tool called Wmatrix, used for analysing text. After identifying potential improvements in the original user interface, a more user-friendly design was developed. The user interface was intended to be simple so it is usable by a variety of people who are likely to have different levels of technical knowledge. The work was completed in less than 4 weeks and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
“We were delighted with the speed of response.”
Paul Rayson, Director, The Research Engine
UK Good Deals Ltd was established in 2004 and specializes in e-commerce through three web-sites each of which specializes in one product type.
InfoLab21 helped UK Good Deals by replacing their outdated stock control methods with a new system which provides up-to-date information about the stock levels in the warehouse. This was done by specifying, designing and developing a stock control system with electronic bar code scanning functionality. The assistance was provided free and was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and took 12 weeks to complete.
“Everything done to our specification without any problems.”
Adam Patel, Director, UK Good Deals Limited
