Services: Web Applications

We produce engaging and highly functional web applications using the latest enterprise level application frameworks and technologies.

A Web Application Framework (aka Web Framework) is a collection of reusable programming libraries, constructed with the specific goal of using it to build highly functional websites and web applications. These frameworks enable rapid application development and result in improvements in performance, complexity and development overhead associated with our client's bespoke web solutions.

The main way in which web frameworks deliver these benefits is by taking care of common functionality (such as security, database interaction & caching) and by implementing proven design patterns such as Model View Controller (MVC).

At UVd we have opted for open standard, enterprise level frameworks such as Zend & CodeIgniter for PHP. These examples are proven, robust and scalable. We are major advocates of the Zend Framework, which as an industry-backed open source solution, we find not only more feature rich than proprietary frameworks, but ultimately presents a more attractive total cost of ownership to our clients.

We deliver bespoke content managed solutions to our customers with the benefit of scalability, performance, price efficiency and simplicity.

Web content management systems simplify the delivery of content to websites and mobile devices by enabling the creation, submission and management of content without technical knowledge.

We have developed a library of content management system (CMS) modules based on open technologies including the enterprise level Zend framework and Doctrine and performance enhancements such as load balancing and memcache with Varnish Cache and HTTP accelerator.

We also have extensive experience configuring and adapting other open source content management systems including DRUPAL, Joomla, Expression Engine and Word Press (including themes and multi site configuration).

We create bespoke, scalable ecommerce solutions as part of our website design service, enabling our customers to sell their products and services online.

At UVd we have been building and customising Ecommerce solutions for many years. Over this time we have integrated payment gateway services including PayPal, Barclaycard EPDQ, WorldPay, SagePay as well as building shop stores for customers with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions.

It’s not all about the implementation though; we help our customers to choose from one of the many merchant services and payment gateway solutions available; there is no ‘one size fits all’ because different providers are suitable for different clients needs depending on projected number of sales and average value for each sale.

We build rich internet applications (RIA’s) offering engaging experiences often where complex tasks and processes within browser based applications are performed.

A rich Internet application (RIA) is a Web application designed to deliver features and functions often more associated with desktop applications. They can aid users perform complex functions within a web browser and unlike other web-based applications are generally downloaded on launch.

We have vast experience developing RIA's from concept - design - prototype - build utilising Adobe's Flash Platform; our RIA's perform complex client-side activities such as video editing, document notating (including audio notations captured by the microphone), drawing and text editing tools and online calculators.

We help our clients to communicate with their customers and increase their reach by advising and implementing social media strategy across a wide spectrum of social media channels.

Integrating social media has become a skill in itself not for technical but for strategic reasons: it is relatively easy to hook social media into a website but the key is to understand why you are doing it and what it can do for you. Used effectively it can increase reach by leveraging key markets that might otherwise be out of reach without large (and expensive) marketing and advertising budgets enabling you to attract your current audience, their friends and contacts and then their friends and contacts. Do it well and you will have access to an almost unlimited network of people with likeminded attitudes (and buying habits) to your existing customers / audience.

We will help to produce a carefully thought-out social media strategy, addressing the market and communication requirements which we can then implement. This might be something fairly simple such as Tweeting, Blogging or Facebook sharing through to more complex API integration utilising OAuth, Facebook Graph API and LinkedIn API. But as always, strategy comes first.

Web Application Frameworks

Using MySQL’s UNIX_TIMESTAMP in Doctrine 2.0

During a recent project it was necessary to perform Unix Timestamp comparisons in a large number of Doctrine queries. This asset is a User Defined Function which allows Doctrine 2 to utilise MySQL's "UNIX_TIMESTAMP" function.

Implementing Barclaycard's ePDQ CPI in the Zend Framework

Working with an innovate digital startup presented the challenge of implementing an e-commerce process using Barclaycard's ePDQ CPI. Our devs saw this is an opportunity to put their Zend skills to test and built a set of assets that can be reused on any ePDQ Zend implementation.

Using MySQL's DATE_FORMAT in Doctrine 2.0

Since migrating our PHP dev framework to Zend + Doctrine at the beginning of the year, we have enjoyed getting our teeth stuck into writing some seriously reusable code. This asset, (the first to make it onto our new github account), will gift anyone using Doctrine 2 the much loved SQL "DATE_FORMAT" function.

Holland America Line

Event registration, contact management and customer complaints tracking web application for Holland America Line.

Red Pen Tool Video

Following the success of the Red Pen Tool we were asked to extend the functionality from marking digitally converted documents to enabling the annotation and marking of video material from the classroom.

Standard Chartered

Event registration and concierge service for Standard Chartered staff visiting SIBOS 2010, one of the largest annual banking conferences.

Teaching English

New product development for Sam Learning to support teaching in Key Stage 3 English with 6 modules aimed at a number of curriculum areas.

E-Scape

A set of Rich Internet Applications (painter, mind-mapper and text editor) built for the E-Scape project allowing students to compile notes, working drawings and ideas whilst working through coursework or exams.

ADAS A+

A website and bespoke content management system developed for ADAS providing environmental knowledge though articles and white papers to experts in the field.

HPC Healthline

Website, content management system, product listings, account handling and e-commerce for HPC Healthline, providers of disposable protective workwear, infection control and waste management solutions.

Groundwise Searches

Web design, build and the development of several systems to enable the provision and management of the underground utility data services provided by Groundwise Searches Limited.

Red Pen Tool

The Red Pen Tool (RPT) is a Flash based Rich Internet Application which enables the digital conversion, assessment and annotation of students' coursework against one or more mark schemes which are associated with the work.

Michael Drain Architects

A content managed portfolio based website and a portal to give controlled access to specific users and groups to drawings and documentation for live projects.

CMS Vs Framework

A quick analysis of the benefits/drawbacks of using a framework for building your own CMS Vs a off the shelf CMS

Creative Tools for e-assessment

We have developed a set of creative tools in Flex / AS3 which are part of a larger academically funded project in which digital tools are used in Design and Technology to encourage creativity and teamwork. This is part of broader discourse in education as to the value of the pen and paper, exam structured methods of assessment which we are all familiar with...