From concept through design and programming to hosting - we can do it all, and we look after you and your software afterwards.
WordPress , Drupal, Javascript, ASP and ASP.Net
Microsoft Office automation, Access and SQL databases
ECats - stands for Electronic CATalogueS our first concept for an internet service.
Now offering 3D printing
A small but experienced company, we listen to our clients needs to produce a solution that fits their needs.
Whilst we often produce an intial design, the final look and feel of any site or app is the result of much consultation with the client to arrive at a product that they are happy with.
Our solutions vary depending on the client's need to update the site themselves. Some sites require little updating and so a simple more traditional solution is used of static HTML pages is used. If a lot of updating its invisaged then CMS is used.
Sometimes the clients requirements ( and budget ) mean that a dynamic database driven web site is required but with custom written code. This we can do using either ASP or ASP.NET technologies.
With the advent of HTML5 and CSS3 it is quite possible to design a responsive web site that works as well on the much smaller screens of mobile devices. There are occasions that a custom mobile App would suit the needs better and ECats can deliver these as well.
All our new sites are fully responsive. We try and advoid using javascript tricks to acieve this. We would much rather rely on CSS to provide the required changes in layout needed.
Almost all our sites are hosted on our own servers, this gives us the ability to use what ever technologies we need to arrive at a solution. Some of the sites we look after are hosted on other ISPs often because of historical reasons. We are happy to work either way. You don't have to use us to host your site, we are happy to implement, design and if required maintain your site at any ISP.
“What You See is What You Get with Mark. He is the ultimate WYSIWYG IT consultant. We have worked together on a number of projects, especially during my tenure at Prolog when he completed a complex internal/external IT installation on schedule and on budget. He has also advised on several other projects with which I have been associated. I have no hesitation in recommending his services.”
“I've worked with Mark since he started contributing to PC Pro many moons ago. He is great to deal with - he won't stand for PR puff as he knows his stuff & always asks incisive questions that reflect his real world consultancy in ecommerce & IT systems.”
Mark has written numerous articles which have been published mainly in PcPro. He has also done reviews and written for other publications both on-line and printed. He has gathered these articles in a Blog and also added to this with new content that attracts his attention. All these articles are in a Drupal CMS at ECatsBlog.co.uk
There are too many to list here and some of the sites we have designed are no more such is the fluid nature of the web. But here are a few.
ECats Ltd has two Directors, Mark Newton, Anna Gudge.
The company also works closely with other experts in order to provide a complete package of web development. This team includes Untitled Media,Peter Scott-Smith, Jon Honeyball, Dave Moss, Steve Pratt, Harvey Fox,Mike Amos, and Karen Baker. ECats also has many close contacts within design houses and software houses.
Mark has been involved in IT since 1983. He started his career as an electronic engineer, but found that he had a particular interest in computing, building his first personal computer in 1974.
The interest in computing developed and he moved to Switzerland to work for Cern at around the same time as Tim Berners Lee was putting the first ideas together that would later become the World Wide Web. On returning to the UK Mark started his own computer company selling hardware and writing application software for individual clients.
Mark became involved with Internet Technology, in the early '90s, long before the current explosion of interest in the Web was generally envisaged. He has never lost the interest and enthusiasm for the technology involved.
During the early part of his career he developed considerable expertise in database work with particular emphasis on the use of databases in conjunction with Direct Marketing. He has continued to build on his early experience and is considered by many to be an expert in database structure and management.
The expertise in databases was put to good use during the course of a contract with Infernet, one of the first companies to interface databases to web pages. Infernet developed mapping technology, which interfaced to the database via spatial queries and thence to the web with Mark working on the initial project, this was before Google exsisted. The first site Infernet developed was Leisurehunt, a major database driven web site of hotels and guest houses in the World with on-line booking. This grew and Infernet now has arrangements with Yahoo for providing geographically driven databases. Mark was involved in the setting up and running of the web servers and developing this software in the early days. He left to form ECats.
In addition to developing applications for the Web, Mark is a Contributing Editor for PC Pro Magazine, writing a regular column on Web Applications in the Real World Computing section as well as the odd feature and review.
Mark recognises the importance of thorough research into new products, assessing their capability to achieve their stated aims. He keeps up to date with all the latest technology in the field and has a very important network of contacts from whom he can seek additional advice when necessary.
It is vitally important with such a fast moving industry as Web Development that an eye is kept on changing trends in the use of Internet by companies and individuals, as well as potential new areas of development, so that these can be utilised when they become available. Mark always tries to stay ahead and maintains an overview of the way the future may become as opposed to the way it looks at the present time.
Mark has particular skills in the realms of client/server applications and the adaptation of database information to the Web, as well as a very clear understanding of all the technology required for e-commerce.
It is probably inevitable that, of all the sites that ECats develops, the one that rarely gets updated is its own!
Anna is well known in the world of International Bridge as an experienced and competent administrator as well as being very skilled in DTP and document production.
Anna is the laison Officer for the World Bridge Federation,
Anna has an enviable quality of persuasion both over the 'phone and face to face, as well as the ability to design attractive web sites with an enthusiasm for technology second to none! These skills make her a vital member of the team.
Peter has three decades of hands-on marketing experience at board level. Before he retired, he was Managing Director of Prolog Ltd., a major Direct Marketing Company. Following his retirement, he started a Direct Marketing Journal, Debrief, (www.debrief.co.uk) a monthly marketing newsletter for blue-chip subscribers including the Automobile Association, British Gas, Cellnet, Norwich Union, Rover Group, Tesco and Whitbread.
In the Direct Marketing Industry, Peter is widely recognised for his breadth of knowledge, and his contribution to ECats in this field cannot be over stated. He is in touch with all the Direct Marketing news and information and is in an excellent position to foresee trends and enable ECats to take full advantage of them.
Jon is an internationally known expert on computer technology with a considerable insight into what is happening within the IT world. He is a good friend and a consultant to ECats. Visit Jon's site at www.woodleyside.co.uk
Harvey was IT manager for the English Bridge Union but now works as database administrator and software developer for a major UK jewellery company. He has helped a great deal with the ECats Sports Scoring System, and his continued support is always apprieciated.
Mike is a Bridge Tournament Director, and has been working with ECats on the bridge side of the Sports Scoring Program. His knowledge of the vagaries of frequencies and the esoteric side of bridge is unparalleled.
Karen is Financial Consultant to ECats. Her interest in the company has led her to develop her Internet skills and she is now a valuable member of the web production team.