Index

AW Computer Systems Ltd
Based in Bristol, England - Software Development Specialists.
Contents

What we do

Software Tools we use and recommend

Products Sold and/or Supported

Scope of Projects that can be undertaken

Company and Contact Information

Demonstration Software

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What we do

AW Computer Systems Ltd is a small software company dedicated to supplying business with a range of software services based on experience gained after 27 years of practical experience.

We supply a range of third party and bespoke software to businesses in the South West of England.

We have our own range of off-the-shelf software to suit many applications.

We do not supply games and we do not supply home users.

For business software systems from accounting, sales administration, job tracking, stock control systems to customer history and mailing lists, whether packaged or bespoke, AW Computer systems can supply a number of services:-

Software development from specification to implementation, with experienced, commercially orientated programmers available to take your IT needs and turn them into reality, with full project quality control and client reporting.
The supply and installation of software, bespoke or off-the-shelf, single user or network.
Enhancements to off-the-shelf software including additional modules - for example create a bespoke order tracking system and link it to your existing accounting package.
Software development in, for example, C, C++, Access, Visual Basic, Delphi, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, Visual Basic, Clarion, Equinox, and Legacy programming languages such as DataEase for DOS
Post implementation support including transfer of legacy data

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Software Tools we use and recommend

The software tools are split into the front end - which is what the user sees and interacts with, and the back end - which does the work of storing the data and presenting it to the front end in the correct format. The products listed here are not a complete list, but only those that are most often installed. In many cases other products will be suggested due to particular circumstances.

All Trademarks are acknowledged

The 'Front End' - The user interface.

Microsoft Access - in our opinion one of the most flexible database tools ever invented. Access incorporates a first class report generator and for small single user projects, the 'built in' database options are quite adequate. Access is invariably the cheapest option. Disadvantages are that it can be resourse-hungry, it requires a multiplicity of additional files, can be somewhat slow when used with large databases, and is (in our opinion) unsuitable for use by more than 3-4 simultaneous users. When run across a network, a sudden disconnection by a workstation can cause the data to be left in an incomplete state which normally requires a repair. This is not an issue on a very small database but can cause problems on a larger (or 'mission critical') database.

Microsoft Visual Basic is very flexible and makes a first class front end for many databases (including Access). It is easy to learn, and most jobs can be accomplished with it. Disadvantages (compared with Access) are that it does not have the range of built in functions that Access has, these must all be created from scratch, nor does it have the superb report generating facilities that Access has. This means that Visual Basic projects can be significantly more expensive than Access projects.

Delphi - For real speed and power, Delphi is hard to beat. It can be slower to develop a project using Delphi because some functions that require one or two lines of visual basic code may require ten or more lines of Delphi code, and it is considered by some to be harder to use, based as it is on object Pascal. This means that Delphi is not the cheapest option, but the rewards include a blindingly fast interface together with a program that occupies an incredibly small amount of memory.

Equinox (from Compsoft) is a truly Rapid Development Tool, and applications can be created in a fraction of the time normally taken. Some of the ways in which Equinox works may be considered 'quirky', and its programming language is almost like Basic - 'Almost' that is - but not quite, which can cause difficulties for some programmers. We like it though - and although Access has a faster development time for single-user databases, for client-server multi-user applications across a network with large amounts of data, but a relatively simple end user interface, Equinox is hard to beat for cost and speed of development.

The 'Back End' - The Database Engine

The choice of a Back End database engine is not to be undertaken lightly. There are many reasons for choosing one particular engine over another, and we do not propose to go into the pros and cons on this website. Suffice it to say that the correct choice can make or break a project. The engines we most frequentl install are:-

Microsoft SQL Server - An Industry Standard - not without its problems, and it ties the user into using Microsoft Products (ie. Windows NT as the server with Windows 95/98 on the workstations). Main disadvantage for smaller firms is that it really requires the attentions of a Database Administrator on a (in our opinion) far too regular basis. Otherwise a sound choice.

Oracle - One of the best. Solid and reliable, Oracle comes in many versions from the stand alone version for use on a single user computer to an enterprise wide versions. Oracle also benefits from being able to run on most operating systems. Often a good choice when the database includes media other than pure text. However, Oracle can be considered an 'overkill' for many applications.

Sybase - Possibly the best for most small to medium sized applications. Sybase installs on most platforms in a matter of minutes with no problems, is 'self tuning' in that the attentions of a DBA (Database Administrator) are only occasionally required, and uses a minimum of system resourse. This means that when run on a computer with a good specification, Sybase is both fast and reliable. Sybase is currently the cheapest option in most instances.

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Product Information

The products AW Computer Systems sell and/or support include the following:

Microsoft Access
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine
Microsoft NT Server Operating System
Microsoft Windows 3.x/95/98/NT/2000 Desktop Operating System
Equinox
Sybase Database Engine
Oracle Database Engine
Novell Netware
DataEase database developer
Intex Payroll Software
Sage Accounting Software
Pegasus Accounting Software
Pastel Accounting Software

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Scope of Projects that can be undertaken

As with any business that has a finite limit to its resources, AW Computer Systems must ensure that it commits those resourses in a cost effective manner. For this reason very small projects where the total cost is less than five thousand pounds sterling will probably not be suitable, and larger projects in excess of five hundred thousand pounds sterling will usually tie up more resourses than can be allowed for.

It should be noted therefore that because the aim of AW Computer Systems is to provide a specialised, personal service, it is not possible to take on all projects offered.

Recent projects include:

A Sales database for a national car manufacturer

A Cost and Estimating system for a Bookbinding firm

A manufacturing system for a vehicle manufacturer

A Time recording and wages system for a bakery

Numerous Accounting Systems

A customer database and ledger system for an investment company.

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Company and Contact Information

Registered Address:

The Beeches, Dundry Lane, Winford, Bristol, BS40 8AN, England

Telephone: +44 (0)1275-474475

Fax: +44 (0)1275-474125

Managing Director: David Spanner

Commercial Manager: Brian Parsons

Project Team Leader: William Marshall

Senior Programmer: John Hannaford-Hill

Administration Manager: Jane Fowler

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