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Case Studies

Here is an overview of many of our past development solutions - large and small!

Click on the function type to filter applicable solutions, or click on an individual project's details to see more information.

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Title Content Time (Days) Software Used Functions

Create WordPress websites

(SJB HN 2014)

Creation of WordPress website and transferal of domain, hosting and email accounts. Template modification, widget creation and plug in management (Details)


3

WordPress

M

Customer Complaint Analysis Tool

(SB/BR ULPS 2011-2014)

Tool to automate the collection of structured data about customer complaints. Input spreadsheet contained complex hierarchical lookups to aid data entry, where VBA was not available. Access used to bulk import and generate reports.

Excel, Access

Calculator for Child Education Costs

(JW/GL/SB CCFR 2009-2014)

The tool is used by local authorities to enable them to compare and analyse the relative values of different types of education for children. (Details)


Access, Excel

(A,F)

Parish Council Website

(GL/SB EBPC 2009-2014)

Maintain an active village website on behalf of the Parish Council, updating content in multiple formats, consolidating and upgrading historic content.

HTML, Javascript, CSS

Welfare Costs Calculator

(GL/SB/JW CCFR 2006-2014)

The tool is used by local authorities to enable them to compare and analyse the relative values of different types of care for children. (Details)


120

Access, Excel

(A,F)

Flexibles Cost model

(JW/BR ULPS 2002-2014)

Excel tool to analyse and forecast costs for different production scenarios and processes. The tool allows basic or detailed views of interchangeable templates, and uses default values refreshed online to minimise user input. (Details)


138

Excel

(F,P)

Flexible Data Cleansing Tool

(SB UL 2012-2013)

A large quantity of client data required validating, restructuring and reformatted so it could be transferred from a legacy system. Vtl created a tool that enabled users to specify rules for this, and automatically process and 'cleanse' the data.

10

Excel

P

Demand vs Capacity Forecaster

(SB, GL ULPS 2011-2013)

Tool to compare demand and supply of product components to identify possible future shortages. Excel frontend supports multiple format input, and output (e.g. raw data, or formatted PowerPoint). Access backend contains 35 linked tables and 110 queries.

85

Access, Excel

(A,P)

Online Factory Performance Tool

(SB ULPS 2010-2013)

Excel front end used by 200 factories to submit detailed performance analysis online, capturing 300,000 data points annually, which are then collated and reported centrally. (Details)


95

Excel, Oracle

(A,P)

Properties & Leases database

(GL/SB GEO 2004-2013)

This Access Database was designed to track the ownership of housing properties, including lease history, owner details, rent agreements, licences, transfer history. This also featured a full reporting system.

13

Access

(A,F)

Promotional Screencasts

(SB PH 2013)

Create animated, narrated screen recordings demonstrating how to use complex data analysis package. Demonstrations had to be succinct, comprehensible yet detailed, and incorporate humour where appropriate.

5

Camtasia, Premiere Pro

M

Outlook Email Helpers

(SB BN 2013)

Code added to Outlook which prevents users from accidentally forgetting attachments, or sending email from the wrong person. (Details)


1

Outlook

A

Charity Membership Database

(GL/SB NAC 2005-2012)

This Microsoft Access database improved access to and management of member and contact details, including a diary-based record of activity. (Details)


12

Access

(A,M)

Health Club Database

(SB PI 2011)

Spreadsheet to keep track of purchases and billing, allowing fast access to filtered product lists.

2

Excel

(A,F)

Mining Downtime Database

(SB BG 2008-2009)

Database to keep track of downtime, safety inspections, repairs, and shift details. System includes a live email warning system, and ability to run pivot reports on historical data via excel.

Access, Excel

P

Cost Model Upgrade

(SB, JW UL 2006-2009)

Upgrading a series of Microsoft Excel cost models to use self-generating report scenarios. (Details)


Excel

(A,F)

Data Backup Solution

(SB VTL 2008)

This tool runs every night, goes through the server looking for files modified recently, and only copies the needed files to a backup 'mirror' drive. Different filters can be used to specify folders, avoid large files, or stop after limits reached.

2

Access

(A)

Small Business Customer Invoicing

(GL RHMC 2008)

Tailored database to record different charging mechanisms and to record customer details and to automatically generate quarterly invoices.

15

Access

(F,A)

Mail Shot Tool

(SB, JW VTL 2008)

This project enabled the mass mailing of promotional emails, with content that varied according to the details of the business being contacted. Recipients clicking on links in the mail could be individually tracked in real-time and reported on. (Details)


5

Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, ASP

(M)

Training Administration

(GL VTL 2008)

Development of an Access database to follow training courses from enquiry to scheduling to performance monitoring to invoicing.

30

Access

(A,F,M)

Report Filtering Tool

(SB ULPS 2007-2008)

This Excel tool runs through a folder containing static spreadsheets, and adds filtering features to them. This includes a user-friendly form with a unique indexed list of all the values for each field, superior to Excel's default filtering capability. (Details)


Excel

(A,F)

International Web based training

(BDR/SB ULPS 2007)

Preparation and delivery of web-based training course delivered globally to over 600 delegates across Europe and Asia. Training included live demonstration of a high-level web 2.0 reporting tool.

PDF Report Compiler

(SB PG 2006)

This tool allowed users to select combinations of documents into a reusable 'recipe' which is then compiled into a single PDF document. Subsections (ranges, pages, bookmarks) of different document types could be specified. Recipes can be saved and shared.

8

Excel

(A,P)

Conversion of Stores Database from Access to SQL

(GL EG 2005-2006)

As a result of an Access XP database straining under high volume of data and users, it was decided that Microsoft SQL Server would be a more appropriate platform. This project involved converting like-for-like between the two systems. (Details)


26

SQL Server, Access

(A)

Legal Form Generator

(GL/SB BN 2006)

This project connected an existing database of clients details to a series of standardised legal forms. This enabled the production of professionally formatted, 40-page forms, using database validated data, at the press of a button. (Details)


10

Access, Word

(A)

Report Formatting Tool

(SB PG 2006)

Creation of a Word Template with custom toolbar and menus to create engineers reports. A user with little knowledge of Word could then use our data entry form, and simplified Word formatting options to create standardised technical reports. (Details)


4

Word

(A,P)

Project Documentation Scanning

(BDR/KE JRB 2005)

Production of an index of all documents relating to specific plant. (Details)


3

Acrobat, Word

(A,P)

Supplier Risk Reporting Tool

(BDR/GAL ULPS 2005)

An Excel 97 application which presents a Supplier Risk questionnaire in a user-friendly controlled manner. Information is stored in a database format and the application allows in-depth analysis. (Details)


Excel

(A)

Data Cleansing Tool

(SB/GL ULPS 2005)

An Excel application which assists with complex validation of technical data from different systems. (Details)


18

Excel

(A)

Supplier Database

(GL NMC 2005)

An existing Access 2000 database was creaking at the seams - due to its incremental development over the last 5 years. It had become unwieldy and difficult to make relatively minor amendments to. (Details)


Access

(A,F)

Shop Manager Reporting System

(SB GEO 2005)

This Access 2000 system records entry of different forms of input from a series of shops. It's power is in the flexible reporting which has been developed. (Details)


13

Access

(A,F)

Factory Self Assessment Tool

(SB ULPS 2005)

Excel solution to automate the collection and reporting of Self Assessment data for factories worldwide. (Details)


20

Excel

(A,P)

On-line Purchase Order System

(SB GEO 2005)

This web based purchasing system enabled staff from various locations to all access the same purchasing system where they can log payments over a secure and user-friendly interface.

9

Access, ASP

(A,F)

Access Development/Training Database

(GL CERCO 2004)

Working with the in-house team, advanced enhancements were made to two Access databases which contained booking and training history records. (Details)


4

Access

(A)

KPI REPORTING

(SB/GL ULPS 2004)

An Excel tool developed to upload, download and report on a series of key performance indicators for a range of different factory sites. (Details)


Excel, PowerPoint

(A,P)

Bookings System

(GL PAM 2004)

Access database to accept and automatically generate credit-card bookings, generate and print tickets for a series of events.

27

Access

(A,F)

Online Ticket Booking System

(SB PAM 2004)

Online Access database linked to ASP web pages to take concert bookings online. Pages featured dynamically updating content, which could be controlled by an automated offline database.

12

Access, ASP

(M)

Performance Report Data Management Tool

(GL/SB ULPS 2004)

Created an Excel interface to an Oracle database which allowed users to query performance reports. These could then be exported as Excel or PowerPoint.

Excel, PowerPoint

Reward and Success

(AB BOC 2004)

This application, produced in Access 97, provided management with true flexibility for analysis of SAP data. Summary reporting on imported SAP data enabled managers to view and compare sales targets from regions to individual representatives.

5

Access

(F)

Spacing Allocation Database

(GL PIP 2003)

As an enhancement to an existing Bookings and Scheduling database, this system shows the placement of posters on an advertising pillar diagrammatically.

4

Access

(A,F)

Costing Spreadsheet

(GL BN 2003)

This short project enabled basic spreadsheet users to specify their requirements for a "Costing spreadsheet". This was designed to allow a proportional breakdown of supplier invoices according to product portfolio. (Details)


1

Excel

(F)

Financial Modelling

(GL/BR BARC 2002)

Automated spreadsheet which imports and processes data from a main frame and re-models this data according to a series of 10 cost driver models. (Details)


15

Excel

(F)

Document Management and Client Progress Reporting

(GL TARGET 2002)

Access database linked to Word to enable organised storage of client case histories and supporting documentation. Produces client progress reports, invoicing and credit control.

25

Access, Word

(A,F)

Ecology Site Monitoring

(GL EMEC 2002)

This Lotus Approach database was developed to enable organised storage and reporting on ecological site surveys. (Details)


12

Access, Lotus Approach

(A)

Budget Management System

(GL/AD BOC 2001-2002)

Access 97 database used to compile and report on SAP (via Business Objects) and Excel data. Providing flexibility in reporting and control of information.

16

Access, Excel, SAP, Business Objects

(A,F)

Shop & Wholesale Reporting

(GL HARV 2001-2002)

Access 2000 solution pulling together information from various existing systems, including automated till data and manual invoicing. (Details)


14

Access

(A,F)

Flexible Reporting System

(GL BOC 2001)

Access database used to import data from Lotus Notes, a management system to enable flexibility of performance reporting for departments and individuals.

16

Access

(A,F)

Reporting System

(AG BARC 2001)

Access database used to link data from two in-house systems to facilitate production of quarterly reports.

5

Access

(F)

Customer Invoicing

(GL/AD BEN 2001)

Access database to replace Word as the generator of customised invoices. It serves as a consolidated list of clients and includes information to create basic management reports.

7

Access, Word

(A,F)

Fuel Management System

(GL EVE 2001)

This Microsoft Access solution stored all fuel transactions in relation to a large transport organisation and enabled management to report on volumes of fuel used, costs, vehicles and mileage. (Details)


10.5

Access

(A,F)

Health and Safety System

(GL/AD EG 2000-2001)

Access database to record plant and statutory test equipment and provides examination status. (Details)


70

Access

(A,F)

Bookings and Scheduling

(GL/AD PIP 2000-2001)

Access database to manage all aspects; from bookings, work scheduling, invoicing and cost management for an advertising company.

31

Access

(A,F,M)

Deeds and Wills

(AD BEN 2001)

Access database to store and report upon solicitor's storage of deeds and wills information.

2.5

Access, Word

(A)

Production Sampling and Statistical Analysis

(AD ULC 2001)

Excel spreadsheet suite to store and process sampling data from production line, provides statistical analysis and comparison reports.

5

Excel

(A,F,P)

Customer Questionnaire

(GL/BR ULPS 1999)

Two Customer Satisfaction Questionnaires produced as automated Excel spreadsheets - 3 and 20 pages in print. (Details)


6

Excel

(P)

Membership Database

(GL IPU 1997-1998)

Database conversion from FoxPro on AppleMac to Access 95 on PC and enhancement to multi-user system with additional flexibility and reporting. (Details)


9

Access

(A)

Planned Maintenance Scheduling System

(BR BRIT 1997-1998)

DataEase database to monitor and diarise maintenance scheduling in the engineering department.

20

DataEase

(A,P)

Gas Turbine Service Manual

(AB PG )

This 700 page document generated in Microsoft Word is used to provide detail for the scope of mechanical inspection and repair work, for equipment within a Power Station. The documentation contained hyperlinks, digital photos and complex sketches.

27

Word

(P)

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