It's not just the Hilltops IT website that has had a revamp! The ConnectIT website has had a couple of minor modifications too!
We're inviting QuoteWerks, ACT!, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Goldmine, Maximizer... in fact "any" software consultancy or reseller company which supplies relevant products or services to place adverts on the ConnectIT website.
ConnectIT: not only linking software applications to other software applications, but also prospects to resellers!!!
If you'd like more information on advertising your company's products and services, then please email info@connectit-online.co.uk
Friday, January 30, 2009
BLOG: Hilltops IT launch new website
For anyone that knows us or reads the blog regularly, you'll know this has been a while coming and now it's here! The "new and improved" Hilltops IT website. It has taken a little longer than expected, but that's only due to our commitment to putting our customers first and satisfying their requirements and timescales before our own internal projects.
Now that it is here, the new website represents our company much better. The old one was "ok", but having simply "evolved" over three years, we have to admit that it was getting a bit confusing.
Reflecting, taking a step back, and looking at our company in relation to how we present ourselves on the web and redesigning the logo has been a refreshing experience. The new website focuses much better on the products and services we focus on to give it a cleaner presentation. Having brought more experienced website design and development skills into the business and working alongside them, sharing ideas, we have produced a website which is much more visual and easier to navigate than the previous one.
See the new website for yourself here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/
If you'd like more information on our experiences of re-branding our company or for further information on our website design and development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk
Now that it is here, the new website represents our company much better. The old one was "ok", but having simply "evolved" over three years, we have to admit that it was getting a bit confusing.
Reflecting, taking a step back, and looking at our company in relation to how we present ourselves on the web and redesigning the logo has been a refreshing experience. The new website focuses much better on the products and services we focus on to give it a cleaner presentation. Having brought more experienced website design and development skills into the business and working alongside them, sharing ideas, we have produced a website which is much more visual and easier to navigate than the previous one.
See the new website for yourself here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/
If you'd like more information on our experiences of re-branding our company or for further information on our website design and development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk
SUPPORT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and in the world of computer software
Hilltops IT Support Team's diary
Everything outside of the standard Support Desk activity this last couple of weeks has been website, website, website. Working with the website designer to find suitable images, the development team to get the website user-friendly, the consultancy team to get suitable copy which communicates all the services we can provide as effectively as possible and taking SEO (search engine optimisation) into account.
The new Hilltops IT website is here now - the development team are just uploading it now! :-) Clearly we're very happy with the results and (from a support point of view) we think it comprehensively communicates the types and ways we can assist clients - support contracts, online support, online training, etc.
Now for some tips from what we've learnt in the last couple of weeks...
Tips for developing a website
For any budding website developers out there or for anyone considering revisiting their website, the following links might be useful. They are two articles which have recently been posted on the Smashing Magazine website:
- Web Application Interface Techniques - http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/12/10-useful-web-application-interface-techniques/
- Techniques for Good Interface Design in Web Applications - http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/19/12-useful-techniques-for-good-user-interface-design-in-web-applications/
They are a good summary of what needs to be considered and also ways of achieving the successful development of a good modern website
Tip for avoiding unsolicited (spam) email and viruses
We also had this tip come through on email. Unfortunately we can't credit the originator as his email address had been stripped from the original message. Read on and you'll find out why!
This excellent message ABSOLUTELY applies to ALL of us who send e-mails. Read the text below...then print it out for future use.
Do you really know how to forward e-mails? 50% of us do; 50% do NOT. Do you wonder why you get viruses or junk mail?Do you hate it?
Every time you forward an e-mail there is information left over from the people who got the message before you, namely their e-mail addresses & names. As the messages get forwarded along, the list of addresses builds, and builds, and builds, and all it takes is for some poor sap to get a virus, and his or her computer can send that virus to every e-mail address that has come across his computer. Or, someone can take all of those addresses and sell them or send junk mail to them in the hopes that you will go to the site and he will make five pence for each hit.
That's right, all of that inconvenience over a couple of pence!How do you stop it? Well, there are two easy steps:
1) When you forward e-mail, DELETE all of the other addresses that appear in the body of the message. That's right, DELETE them. Highlight them and delete them, backspace them, cut them, whatever it is you know how to do. It only takes a second. You MUST click the "Forward" button first, and then you will have full editing capabilities against the body and headers of the message.If you don't click on "Forward" first, you won't be able to edit the message at all.
2) Whenever you send an e-mail to more than one person, do NOT use the To: or Cc: columns for adding e-mail addresses. Always use the BCC: (blind carbon copy) column for listing the e-mail addresses. This is the way that people you send to only see their own e-mail address. If you don't see your BCC: option click on where it says To: and your address list will appear. Highlight the address and choose BCC: and that's it, it's that easy. When you send to BCC: your message will automatically say "Undisclosed Recipients" in the "TO:" field of the people who receive it.
So please, in the future, let's stop the junk mail and the viruses! Finally, here's an idea! Let's send this to everyone we know. (But strip my address off first). This is something that SHOULD be forwarded.
Tip on protecting your email address book
This tip came from the same person, so again unfortunately we can't credit the originator. But if you happen to be reading this - THANKS!
I learned a computer trick today that's really ingenious in its simplicity. As you may know, when or if a worm virus gets into your computer it heads straight for your email address book, and sends itself to everyone in there, thus infecting all your friends and associates.This trick won't keep the virus from getting into your computer, but it will stop it from using your address book to spread further, and it will alert you to the fact that the worm has gotten into your system.
Here's what you do:
First, open your address book and click on 'new contact,' just as you would do if you were adding a new friend to your list of email addresses In the window where you would type your friend's first name, type in ' A'.
For the screen name or email address, type 'AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA'
Now, here's what you've done and why it works: The 'name 'A' will be placed at the top of your address book as entry #1.
This will be where the worm will start in an effort to send itself to all your friends. When it tries to send itself to AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA, it will be undeliverable because of the fake email address you entered. If the first attempt fails (which it will because of the fake address), the worm goes no further and your friends will not be infected.
Here's the second great advantage of this method: If an email cannot be delivered, you will be notified of this in your In Box almost immediately. Hence, if you ever get an email telling you that an email addressed to AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA could not be delivered, you know right away that you have the worm virus in your system. You can then take steps to get rid of it!
Pretty good? If everybody you know does this then you need not ever worry about opening mail from friends.
Tip for installing Microsoft Updates
The updates have been around for a little while now, but this week Microsoft pushed out the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 releases out through Microsoft Windows Automatic Updates. Particularly the .net update is quite large, so if you are managing a large network of users, why not download the updates manually to a server and then run the executable from there. This will save all users having to download the update, saving them time and avoid creating unnecessary network traffic.
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
Brief Description: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 is a full cumulative update that contains many new features building incrementally upon .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and includes cumulative servicing updates to the .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.0 subcomponents.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AB99342F-5D1A-413D-8319-81DA479AB0D7&displaylang=en
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3
Brief Description: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight version of SQL Server 2005. It is fast and easy to learn, allowing you to quickly develop and deploy dynamic data-driven applications.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=3181842A-4090-4431-ACDD-9A1C832E65A6&displaylang=en
For further information on our software support services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email support@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
BLOG: Hilltops IT customer wins award for their website
Sourcing City has won BPMA Website of the Year 2008. Hilltops IT worked alongside Akiko Design to develop the site – each company focussing on their strengths in a project which involved automatic database and FTP synchronisation between remote data sources, complex search functionality, user tracking through the site, plus (of course!) a slick user interface.
Says David Long (Chairman, Sourcing City): “Thanks and congratulations to all of the team that have contributed to our Award; I really appreciate what you do to get us to the top. Many people put a lot of effort into making sure we are the best at what we do and now it has been officially recognised by our National Trade Association. I think we all have every reason to feel really proud of what we have achieved together. To put thing into perspective, we are now officially the Best Website in the £1 Billion Promotional Merchandise Industry.”
Says Stephen Siggs (CEO, Hilltops IT): “It’s fantastic to have been associated with this project and the award. It is particularly exciting in light of the imminent release of a new site, which has improvements in every area plus lots of new features. Wait until your customer-base and BPMA get a load of that!!!”
About the Site
The current site allows users to search (and find!) promotional merchandise products and suppliers thereof from a database of over 80,000 products. Over the five years since its original launched, Sourcing City has become an increasingly utilised tool for Distributors in the Promotional Merchandise industry to find products and for Suppliers to advertise their products.
The site has several product categorisations to help users find products and suppliers. It also has features which allow the user to email information on the product direct to their client.
As well as having a significant design facelift, the new site has hugely improved search functions to help users search and find different and innovative products for their clients’ promotional activities. With this alongside the reporting, ‘page turning’, ‘real-time branding’ and ‘lite’ quotation tool features, users can look forward to a significantly enhanced experience.
Technical Specifications
The current website was originally developed using SQL Server 2000 for data storage (subsequently upgraded to SQL Server 2005) with a Visual Studio 2005 .net 2.0 with AJAX developed front end and content management system (CMS).
The new website (due to be launch imminently) uses the same SQL Server 2005 database for data storage, SQL Server Reporting Services for reporting with a Visual Studio 2008 .net 3.5 with AJAX developed front end and content management system (CMS).
The data which ‘drives’ the site is automatically synchronised from Sourcing City’s [in-house system] plus statistics on “who’s clicking on what and when” are captured as part of the site for market analysis purposes.
Further Information
If you'd like more information on our experience with website design, website development or business intelligence reporting services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk
Says David Long (Chairman, Sourcing City): “Thanks and congratulations to all of the team that have contributed to our Award; I really appreciate what you do to get us to the top. Many people put a lot of effort into making sure we are the best at what we do and now it has been officially recognised by our National Trade Association. I think we all have every reason to feel really proud of what we have achieved together. To put thing into perspective, we are now officially the Best Website in the £1 Billion Promotional Merchandise Industry.”
Says Stephen Siggs (CEO, Hilltops IT): “It’s fantastic to have been associated with this project and the award. It is particularly exciting in light of the imminent release of a new site, which has improvements in every area plus lots of new features. Wait until your customer-base and BPMA get a load of that!!!”
About the Site
The current site allows users to search (and find!) promotional merchandise products and suppliers thereof from a database of over 80,000 products. Over the five years since its original launched, Sourcing City has become an increasingly utilised tool for Distributors in the Promotional Merchandise industry to find products and for Suppliers to advertise their products.
The site has several product categorisations to help users find products and suppliers. It also has features which allow the user to email information on the product direct to their client.
As well as having a significant design facelift, the new site has hugely improved search functions to help users search and find different and innovative products for their clients’ promotional activities. With this alongside the reporting, ‘page turning’, ‘real-time branding’ and ‘lite’ quotation tool features, users can look forward to a significantly enhanced experience.
Technical Specifications
The current website was originally developed using SQL Server 2000 for data storage (subsequently upgraded to SQL Server 2005) with a Visual Studio 2005 .net 2.0 with AJAX developed front end and content management system (CMS).
The new website (due to be launch imminently) uses the same SQL Server 2005 database for data storage, SQL Server Reporting Services for reporting with a Visual Studio 2008 .net 3.5 with AJAX developed front end and content management system (CMS).
The data which ‘drives’ the site is automatically synchronised from Sourcing City’s [in-house system] plus statistics on “who’s clicking on what and when” are captured as part of the site for market analysis purposes.
Further Information
If you'd like more information on our experience with website design, website development or business intelligence reporting services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk
BLOG: Hilltops IT / Vistage / QuoteWerks press release
Top performance award for technology specialist
Newcastle-Under-Lyme software solution specialist Hilltops IT has been ranked the fourth best partner in the world for its exceptional performance in satisfying and growing its customer base through its overall dedication to delivering quality software solutions.
Hilltops IT is a long-standing sales and development partner for US software author Aspire Technologies, whose products include the QuoteWerks package for sales quotations which is used by over 50,000 users worldwide.
Aspire has acknowledged Hilltops IT, which delivers solutions for customers in many diverse verticals (from IT and scientific to industrial catering and promotional gifts) as a top ten international partner for its outstanding delivery of the QuoteWerks software for the third consecutive year.
Hilltops IT’s (Owner Director) Stephen Siggs attributes the success to hard work, a talented team, and membership of Vistage International, the world’s leading chief executives’ organisation whose members are committed to outperforming.
Steve, who joined Vistage in March 2008 to help him to further develop the business, pays tribute to how Vistage has enabled him to power Hilltops IT to new heights.
He said: “I had heard about the powerful results which members derive from being involved in Vistage groups and wanted to also reap the benefits for my company. In less than a year I am already seeing key developments such as better projection and positioning of Hilltops IT in the marketplace, improved management of staff, customers and suppliers, plus a better focus on the strategic areas within my business which will achieve overall growth.
Vistage International, which has eight groups in the West Midlands, brings together business leaders for robustly challenging monthly development sessions, at which they act like each other’s non-executive directors. With more than 15,000 members globally, it develops MDs, CEOs and key reports who value having their answers and thinking questioned through confidential peer group sessions and one-to-one interaction.
Said Vistage Chair Richard Ward who facilitates the monthly group meetings and 1-2-1 development sessions: “In today’s tough climate, delighting and retaining existing customers while growing your customer base is more challenging than ever. Vistage attracts members who are seeking to outperform their personal and business expectations and who display strong leadership skills to motivate their teams through turbulent times. This award is a great testimony to Hilltops IT’s powerful success.”
For more information about Vistage International, contact David Alexander on 01962 841188 or visit www.vistage.co.uk.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Vistage by Quest Public Relations Ltd. Media contact is Nick Pickles or Sharon Cain on 01423 564192 or nick@quest-pr.com
Notes to editor
Interview and Case Study Opportunities
Vistage spokespeople and Vistage Chairs are available for interview. With more than 650 members in the business sector a wide selection of case studies are available. For further information please contact: Sharon Cain or David Child on 01423 564192.
Interviews/case studies can cover amongst other things:
Above is a very small selection of the resource available for interview.
About Vistage
Newcastle-Under-Lyme software solution specialist Hilltops IT has been ranked the fourth best partner in the world for its exceptional performance in satisfying and growing its customer base through its overall dedication to delivering quality software solutions.
Hilltops IT is a long-standing sales and development partner for US software author Aspire Technologies, whose products include the QuoteWerks package for sales quotations which is used by over 50,000 users worldwide.
Aspire has acknowledged Hilltops IT, which delivers solutions for customers in many diverse verticals (from IT and scientific to industrial catering and promotional gifts) as a top ten international partner for its outstanding delivery of the QuoteWerks software for the third consecutive year.
Hilltops IT’s (Owner Director) Stephen Siggs attributes the success to hard work, a talented team, and membership of Vistage International, the world’s leading chief executives’ organisation whose members are committed to outperforming.
Steve, who joined Vistage in March 2008 to help him to further develop the business, pays tribute to how Vistage has enabled him to power Hilltops IT to new heights.
He said: “I had heard about the powerful results which members derive from being involved in Vistage groups and wanted to also reap the benefits for my company. In less than a year I am already seeing key developments such as better projection and positioning of Hilltops IT in the marketplace, improved management of staff, customers and suppliers, plus a better focus on the strategic areas within my business which will achieve overall growth.
Vistage International, which has eight groups in the West Midlands, brings together business leaders for robustly challenging monthly development sessions, at which they act like each other’s non-executive directors. With more than 15,000 members globally, it develops MDs, CEOs and key reports who value having their answers and thinking questioned through confidential peer group sessions and one-to-one interaction.
Said Vistage Chair Richard Ward who facilitates the monthly group meetings and 1-2-1 development sessions: “In today’s tough climate, delighting and retaining existing customers while growing your customer base is more challenging than ever. Vistage attracts members who are seeking to outperform their personal and business expectations and who display strong leadership skills to motivate their teams through turbulent times. This award is a great testimony to Hilltops IT’s powerful success.”
For more information about Vistage International, contact David Alexander on 01962 841188 or visit www.vistage.co.uk.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Vistage by Quest Public Relations Ltd. Media contact is Nick Pickles or Sharon Cain on 01423 564192 or nick@quest-pr.com
Notes to editor
Interview and Case Study Opportunities
Vistage spokespeople and Vistage Chairs are available for interview. With more than 650 members in the business sector a wide selection of case studies are available. For further information please contact: Sharon Cain or David Child on 01423 564192.
Interviews/case studies can cover amongst other things:
- General SME issues
- Benefits of executive development for business leaders
- Setting up businesses/exit strategies/MBOs
- Staff retention and motivation
- Financing and financial performance
- Family businesses
Above is a very small selection of the resource available for interview.
About Vistage
- Global leader in development of Chief Executives since 1957 with more than 15,000 members worldwide and a combined turnover of £200bn
- The organisation is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the lives of chief executives.
- On average members who stay for three years double their growth and treble their profitability
- Operates a local, confidential peer group system of non-competing business leaders to develop business and personal skills on an ongoing monthly basis
- Vistage is committed to helping its members secure a better work-life balance
Friday, January 23, 2009
DEVELOPMENT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and the world of software development
Hilltops IT Developer's diary
Since last fortnight's post, most development activity has been on the following projects:
Since last fortnight's post, most development activity has been on the following projects:
- Website development - development work on our Hilltops IT website for re-branding. this has been the main focus for us - bringing together the design work with the "nuts and bolts" of the mechanics of the site. there are still a couple of tweaks to make, but the site is looking really good. Everyone internally is really excited about being able to announce the launch.
- Business Intelligence reporting - continued work on a bespoke project reporting on 3,000,000+ rows of data from disparate data sources using SQL Server Reporting Services.
Industry News
Development tools component makers see 2009 as a big year for MS platforms
Introduction: The gears are turning for implementations of Microsoft's next generation of platform technologies, and as a matter of course, component makers are the leading-edge innovators. In 2009, some of the latest Microsoft technologies will be gaining the most traction as Silverlight's star rises and developers rethink how they structure Web applications. Silverlight is rapidly becoming a popular platform for component developers to target. ComponentArt, ComponentOne, Developer Express and Infragistics are all making controls for creating business applications and filling in functionality that Microsoft has omitted.
See the full article here: www.sdtimes.com/link/33194
So as Microsoft Partners, leading edge software and website developers and providers of Microsoft platform-based business solutions, Hilltops IT are perfectly placed to take advantage of these new innovations.
Free e-book Introducing SQL Server 2008
Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 by Peter DeBetta, Greg Low, and Mark Whitehorn
ISBN: 9780735625587
Learn about major new features in SQL Server 2008 including security, administration, and performance.
Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008:
- Chapter 1: Security and Administration
- Chapter 2: Performance
- Chapter 3: Type System
- Chapter 4: Programmability
- Chapter 5: Storage
- Chapter 6: Enhancements for High Availability
- Chapter 7: Business Intelligence Enhancements
Download it here: http://csna01.libredigital.com/?urss1q2we6
For further information on our website and software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
BLOG: QuoteWerks award press release - Steve's photo shoot!
Steve (Siggs) poses with the award and certificate presented to Hilltops IT from Aspire Technologies Inc as 2008 QuoteWerks Top 10 International Sales Partner winner.
Says Steve: "This is the third consecutive year that Hilltops IT has been given the QuoteWerks Top 10 International Sales Partner award. With an increasingly large team and an increasing portfolio of QuoteWerks training courses, products which work alongside QuoteWerks, QuoteWerks report layouts, QuoteWerks development utility add-ons and the Hilltops IT team's individual QuoteWerks consultancy skills, etc, we're certainly aiming to make it for a fourth consecutive year in 2009!"
Hilltops IT has been approached by Vistage - chief executives organisation to do some joint marketing of the achievement. You can see the pictures below; the press release is expected to be issued towards the end of the month and sent to various local and national magazines and newspapers.
Says Steve: "This is the third consecutive year that Hilltops IT has been given the QuoteWerks Top 10 International Sales Partner award. With an increasingly large team and an increasing portfolio of QuoteWerks training courses, products which work alongside QuoteWerks, QuoteWerks report layouts, QuoteWerks development utility add-ons and the Hilltops IT team's individual QuoteWerks consultancy skills, etc, we're certainly aiming to make it for a fourth consecutive year in 2009!"
Hilltops IT has been approached by Vistage - chief executives organisation to do some joint marketing of the achievement. You can see the pictures below; the press release is expected to be issued towards the end of the month and sent to various local and national magazines and newspapers.
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