Computer Software (Development) in Chelmsford

Softlink Solutions are dedicated to providing the SME market with a complete I.T. solution to allow for stream lined deployment and effective results for any business that sees I.T. as a crucial and integral part to their company’s growth and success. Softlink Solutions Limited was formed in 1998 by joint directors who have over 70 years of IT experience between them. We are a growing dynamic company who provide businesses with a Virtual I.T. Team without the cost of being on the payroll, but are looking to cost effectively gain the wealth and depth of experience and knowledge. To help our customers maximise the value of I.T. in their business, we offer a wide range of services including: installation, system analysis, programming, Microsoft solutions, Web design and internet services as well as hardware and software supply to satisfy any business looking to implement, or improve any aspect of their current I.T. system. We specialise in bespoke software development, implementation of the systems these run on and pride ourselves with the ongoing support and enhancement of your complete I.T. infrastructure. We believe in offering you the ability to outsource your complete I.T. resource, so customers can benefit from advances in information technology solutions and be confident that the businesses I.T. infrastructure is in safe hands.

We are experienced at implementing a network solution which best suits your business needs. From planning to the final test stages, we can offer you not just guidance but the complete solution. Communication is at the heart of every business and a significant influence on the performance of any network is the cabling infrastructure. Implementing this successfully is an important issue that no company should overlook. We can offer a range of services, from the complete design and build to the expansion or upgrading of an existing network. Alternatively if you currently have a network implemented we can also provide a Network Audit, which would assist in identifying problem areas such as cabling, hardware and software to optimise your network performance and maximise your network availability. Wireless or Wi-fi networking is becoming increasingly popular. Although it has many benefits, it also has the drawback of security issues. We have invested the time and expertise to allow for an extremely secure and reliable Wi-Fi network. Our past experience and knowledge allows us to assess your business requirement prior to recommending the appropriate product/solution. With partners within the cabling/communications industry we can bring the right people together to best suit your needs.

Inevitably most companies will require some sort of Microsoft package whether it is part of the 'Office Suite' or one of their many operating systems. We are a 'Microsoft Direct Access Partner' which has many advantages for both you and us, such as: • Pre-sales support • On-line search support • Newsgroups • NetWare migration centre • Deployment guides • Driver and other downloads provision • Support news watch • Product seminars Microsoft has a wide range of products, including: • Server Systems (e.g. Windows Server, Exchange, SQL, Project) • Client Operating Systems (e.g. Windows 2000, Windows XP) • Office Applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) • Development Tools (e.g. Access, Visual Basic, .NET) We undertake bespoke programming, integration with other applications (e.g Sage, Opera etc.) as well as developing 'off the shelf' application suites (e.g. Cougar Sales Order Processing, Stock Control etc.). Our development platforms include .NET, SQL Server, Access and Visual Basic. A summary of these modules are noted below: • Indicative Cost Modelling for building services and main contractors to produce a budgetary price from their own, or BCIS, existing benchmark information. • Stock and Order Processing suite includes modules for: o Stock Control o Purchase Order Processing o Sales Order Processing o Works Orders (under development) o Contact Management (under development) • Progressing - control of enquiries through to job completion. Can be used stand alone or integrated with Sage Job Costing to encompass the latest position in respect of profit expected and achieved on a contract. • Worksheet - a tabular type layout showing day to day workloads of operatives, which is used to schedule in-house or sub-contract workers on particular jobs. • Hire Out - controls the items of plant that you hire out, ensuring overdue items are not overlooked and incur additional costs. Bespokework A small example of the work undertaken is shown below: • Magazine Distribution System written in .NET for controlling distribution of magazines to wholesalers and retailers. Integrating with Opera accounts for posting of Invoices and Credit Notes. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) of various levels of information (e.g. Magazine requirements, route sheets, invoices etc.) with clients. • Debt Management System written in access for a start up client, who wanted a computer system at the start of their business, to provide the facilities to control the debt management of their clients with credit card companies. The system calculates payment schedules, based upon outstanding debts and ability to pay, prints cheques and handles payments etc. • Labour Control System took a non-professionally written application, developed in-house by a large building services contractor and enhanced the application. Various “bugs� were removed, new and much needed facilities were additionally provided and an easy to use interface with the contractors Estimation estimating package to extract the relevant information was created. • Sales Order Processing System written for an insulation supplier, we got the system to a useable level, removing many bugs and provided many new facilities once we had proven to the client that not all software companies write poor software. • Handheld Devices using Psion handheld devices we have developed an order taking application where sales people can check stock and take orders for products, then produce an invoice using a battery powered portable printer before updating the relevant systems on the main server. There are a multitude of other uses for such devices such as – asset management, stock control, site labour monitoring etc.

Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm