vcommunications have been working with Howard Raynor and his team for over four years now, looking after their online projects and investments, which also includes the Manchester Concierge Network and Manchester Made it Easy websites. The latest redesign of the World Class Service reaches out to national and international subscribers. It contains our brand new echoCMS technology and includes a bespoke Micro payment system – ideal for premium content sites.

Project features include:

- MySQL and PHP Framework Development
- eCommerce and Micro Payment Integration
- Bespoke Subscription Service Solution
- Brand Design and Asset Management
- CSS / XHTML Development
- Managed Business Hosting

vcommunications really wanted to become involved in this ongoing contract - in particular to measure and improve No Debt Now's lead generation and online performance. We wanted to create a stress-free and easy to understand system, giving the customer the needed guidance and peace of mind and No Debt Now the desired conversion rates.

Project features include:

- Design and typography
- Brand Design and Asset Management
- CSS / XHTML Development
- Usability Testing
- Conversion Consultation

vcommunications have partnered with Egelnick and Webb to help with the ongoing web development of their clients. House of Holland needed to launch their new website in conjunction with London fashion week. A bespoke Blackberry shopping application was simultaneously developed - with some functionality being ported into the web system in a planned future release.

Project features include:

- Flash ActionScript
- Content and Project Management
- eCommerce Integration
- CSS / XHTML Development

vcommunications have been working with the team at ALDC for the past three years now, developing and hosting a range of solid custom online business solutions. We recently launched the fully redesigned ALDC website, taking their online brand and membership management to the next level. This year will see a number of very cool and more exciting developments.

Project features include:

- MS SQL and .NET Development
- eCommerce Integration / World Pay
- Bespoke ITC Database Solutions
- Brand Design and Asset Management
- CSS / XHTML Development
- Managed Business Hosting

MOFILM create and host user generated mobile content competitions and events with the biggest brands in the world including Unilever, Visa, Nokia, Vodafone, Best Buy and many more. We have been planning, designing and delivering the online platforms required to successfully run these events and associated online services...

Project features include:

- MS SQL and .NET Development
- PHP Framework and MySQL Development
- Brand Design and Asset Management
- Video Asset Deployment
- CSS / XHTML Development
- Managed Business Hosting

(2008 Version / Release 1.0)

(2009 Version / Cannes UGC Competitions)

(2009 Version / Release 2.0)

The Big Life group is one of the largest social businesses in the country and everyday we demonstrate the added value that social businesses can offer whether that's in working with people who are homeless through The Big Issue in the North, establishing health and community resource centres through Big Life Centres, offering employment and training opportunities through Big Life Employment, offering locally based childcare through Aisha Childcare, running a health and resource centre in partnership with the PCT in Grimsby with Open Door or helping people start up their own self help groups through Self Help Services.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- .NET and MS SQL Development
- Managed Hosting

X.TRAX is an organisation based in Manchester that runs a range of events and projects designed to promote and support the UK street arts and performance sector.

Project features include:

- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- PHP and MS SQL Development
- Managed Hosting

Qikker Solutions assist human resource departments to better recruit, retain and develop their talent through the use of web-based HR technology. They offer a portfolio of 'best of breed' internet-based HR applications as well as custom-built software solutions. Qikker has grown steadily and has an impressive client list including blue-chip organisations through to dynamic small and medium sized enterprises.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- .NET and MS SQL Development
- Managed Hosting

The site will continue to pursue its strategy of developing the city’s concierges and promoting the city as a world class destination.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- .NET and MS SQL Development
- Managed Hosting

The Manchester Hotels’ Association (MHA) is a non-profit organisation of the key hotels within the city centre and the Greater Manchester area. It is chaired and managed by the hotel General Managers and the MHA is dedicated to championing the vibrant Manchester Hotels scene.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- .NET and MS SQL Development
- Managed Hosting

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and product tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- PHP framework development
- eCommerce and shopping tool integration

The market alone cannot deliver the sustainable, mixed community that Salford must become. Co-ordinated public intervention is required, working in partnership with other sectors. And that’s where the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company comes in.

Central Salford URC is there to ensure all those working to revitalise Central Salford are pulling in the same direction and putting all their weight behind a collective drive forward.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Flash database development and connectivity
- PHP framework development

ALDC brings together and supports Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners across Great Britain.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Custom Development Solutions (Microsoft Solutions)
- .NET and MS SQL Development

Autometers Systems Limited are specialist designers and suppliers of electronic power meters and web based monitoring systems. The company manufactures a selection of electricity meters and power monitoring systems ranging from single and polyphase Electro-mechanical kWh meters, to a range of sophisticated, fully programmable Information Centres with their own dedicated software to comply with the most demanding requirements of operating standard, accuracy and reliability.

Project features include:

- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Custom Development Solutions

GMMAZ designs and delivers music projects for young people. They're based in Manchester town centre, but the work we do takes place throughout the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester and beyond.

GMMAZ's work is all about getting young people involved in music, whether it’s playing, writing, learning about or performing it, whether they’ve done it before and are quite good, or whether they’ve never touched an instrument before.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- RSS feeds and syndication
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Database design and deployment
- Custom Development Solutions

(2006 Version)

Urban Screens Manchester 07 is both an international conference and an enthralling four-day programme of art and events in Manchester city centre.

Project features include:

- vcommunications custom cms and blogging tools
- RSS feeds and syndication
- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Database design and deployment

ENWORKS is a unique business support programme co-ordinating environmental and health and safety advice, training and support to businesses throughout the Northwest of England.

Project features include:

- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Database design and deployment
- vcommunications custom cms

The past few months have seen the launch of two major internet projects developed and designed with vcommunications. The long anticipated relaunch of Greater Manchester Police's City Centre Safe Projects web campaign, and the information portal for one of the UK's most talked about research studios Morris Hargreaves McIntyre - www.lateralthinkers.com in Manchester. Both projects benefit from our studio's strong CSS design, database development and project management skills. A full vcommunications designed information portal is currently put together by staff at MHM and set to launch and replace the current system later this year.

Project features include:

- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- Design and typography
- Database design and deployment
- Managed vcommunications hosting
- Digital Asset and Data Management

Since 1995 North of England Excellence has been the name behind the prestigious North of England Business Excellence Awards, formerly the North West Business Excellence Awards. Run on an annual cycle these Awards seek to recognise excellent organisations through rigorous assessment against the requirements of the EFQM Excellence Model by a team of experienced Award Assessors.

TESTIMONIAL:
"It is always a pleasure dealing with vcommunications. We have been working with them for eight years now and our work is still carried out in a timely and professional manner. vcommunications are still very enthusiastic about our website and are constantly recommending improvements and cost-effective ways to manage the site. I would highly recommend them from concept through to design and maintanance."
Suzanne House, Marketing Director, North of England Excellence

Project features include:

- HTML / CSS / Design and Management
- News and Events System Updates
- Digital Asset and Data Management

The 21st Century Global Summit 2007 is an exclusive business leadership and innovation summit for CxO level attendees from around the world in the Telecommunications, IT, Media , Entertainment and Financial Services sectors. Sponsors include Cisco Systems, Accenture and Sun Microsystems.

Project features include:

- HTML / CSS / Visual Studio Design
- Google Checkout Integration
- HTML Newsletter Application
- .NET 2.0 Development and MS SQL Database design and deployment

Project features include:

- Typography and Flash layout conversions
- Image management
- Managed vcommunications hosting
- Flash Video integration

Project features include:

- Database design and programming
- Typography CSS and HTML design
- vcommunications custom cms
- Flash Video integration
- 3rd party e-commerce integration

Hidden Delights

A lot of agencies forget to boast about what they are doing, choosing to quietly get on with business behind closed doors. Here, The Drum goes in search of those unsung heroes. This month we look at the North West and pinpoint those agencies to watch out for.

vcommunications was launched at the end of 1998 by designer Frank Staiger, at a time when the dotcom bubble had burst and other tech companies were talking about their exit strategies.

With his background in design and typography, Staiger developed a business that offered consultancy services for a wide range of clients, often acting as a straight-talking link between his programming squads and design directors, who often have different objectives.

Now the agency has a 50/50 mix of direct and consultancy clients in its portfolio. The company also provides custom build content management systems, CSS and HTML services. Direct clients include BBC Worldwide, The Big Life Group, Greater Manchester Music Action Zone, George House Trust, xtrax, World Class Service and many more. Meanwhile clients employing vcommunications for consultancy services include Walsh Simmons, Trevor Johnson and Via Design and Creative Concern.

The design was created in conjunction with Modern Designers – reflecting the fresh and striking identity of Campfour and its outdoor community.

Project features include:

- Database design and programming
- Secure HTTPS hosting on vcommunications managed servers
- Powerful content management system design
- EPOS integration and business logic
- Typography CSS and HTML design

Leading UK architecture and urban design practice MBLA announced a new name and brand identity to reflect the growth of the company, changes in structure and plans to further extend its portfolio. The Practice is established as a major design studio with a portfolio of award-winning schemes and projects that includes Sir William Siemens House, Homes for Change in Hulme and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Trevor Johnson and his team at VIA instructed our studio to collaborate on the task to visually reflect MBLA's architecture and bring it to live. Our powerful content management system allows MBLA to manage and control all aspects of their news distribution and portfolio updates... whilst the custom designed Flash skin provides the dynamics.

Project features include:

- Database design and programming
- Powerful content management system design
- Customized Flash 8 and XML coding
- Design, typography and scripted animations

vcommunications designed and launched the new website for Manchester's first and original online band - TRIBECA. The group's founder members where amongs the first to distribute digital music content in the late 90s and pioneered Manchester's download scene with urbanite.co.uk

Project features include:

- Powerful Flash 8 and XML coding
- Design and typography
- iTunes integration
- News and RSS feed distribution

Media Audits is the world's largest international media consultancy group and has recently been aquired by Accenture Marketing Sciences. Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.

Project features include:

- Design and typography
- Powerful database and site search
- SEO content and sit structure
- News and RSS feed distribution
- Flash homepage animations

TESTIMONIAL:
"We needed a careful and thorough approach to World Class Service's website, as new company addressing service issues our web site was key to us.We needed to be accurate, brief and clear for our customers. Careful andattentive support in the design and build phase makes Frank's team at vcomoutstanding, they made us feel we were in safe hands and they have delivereda first class site. We have no problem in recommending them to otherswanting a world class web site"
Howard Raynor, Managing Director

The Big Life group is an umbrella organisation that comprises a diverse range of individual businesses and charities, which operate from various offices across the North of England. Companies within the group include The Big Issue in the North, Aisha Childcaring, Open Door and Big Life Employment. Each of the different organisations within the group had their own web presence, and as a result information was difficult to manage across the sites, with little brand consistency between them. When The Big Life group was formed in 2005, vcommunications were contracted to create a unified site to bring all of these disparate web presences into one. The Extranet was integral part of this online strategy.

Features include:

- News and events management and distribution
- Creation of centralized contact management tools
- Project management tools and blogs
- Integration and branding of staff message boards
- Powerful company documents and policy distribution

vcommunications also successfully designed and build the Big Life group corporate websites.

TESTIMONIAL:
vcommunications made the challenge of creating our new Website and Extranet exciting, enjoyable and easy. They have created two fantastic sites which emphasise the brand, vision and values of The Big Life group.
Emma Faragher, Communications Manager The Big Life group

Dave Kirkwood, Creative Director of Walsh Simmons commissioned our studio to built and deliver the Qikker Solutions website.

Qikker is an independent provider of internet-based HR solutions and services – delivering secure and integrated software as a service (SaaS) eHR solutions - and we’re pleased to announce our involvement in the ongoing development and hosting of their online strategy.

F1F9 / SVA Software, an international specialist solution provider for financial modelling, has recruited vcommunications to implement a bespoke online identity.

Whilst focusing initially on formal financial modelling training, F1F9 is today best described as a financial modelling services firm offering a full range of services and solutions within the field of highly structured, professional financial modelling. vcommunications have successfully deployed a brand new online look and feel for their online appearance – including styling and development of various future online client applications. Our customized RapidWeaver templates helped to create a rock solid interface whilst being fully W3C CSS and XHTML Transitional compliant.

It's been a while since we last worked for Steve Whitehouse and Andy Irving - www.iwp.co.uk - so it was a pleasure to give their very own Jimmy Chocolate Cards website a much needed overhaul...

The project gave us the chance to revisit our original code to make it fully W3C CSS and XHTML Transitional compliant. And it loads that little bit faster than before... which always helps when boasting with large and gorgeous preview images...

Manchester's first online music website - urbanite.co.uk - is set to release it's overhauled catalogue on iTunes before Christmas. Urbanite's key philosophy has always been the underlying power of brand identity and user awareness. Running since 1998 urbanite.co.uk pioneered a look and feel that still remains unmatched by any other website in Manchester 'trying to do the same thing'.

Despite phenomenal visitor statistics from all over the world - sales have never met expectations - and the move to the download leader with 85% market share was inevitable.

- Check out Phil's Christmas message to all users here
- Stay tuned with urbanite.co.uk and find out when the catalogue is released

Our bespoke content management system controls most aspects of the Flash interface, making it a breeze to add different formats to the templates. So Johnny can relax and carry on with fabulous photography!

vcommunications designed and built the database and coordinated all aspects of the project – to meet the following requirements:

- Portfolio control via our cms
- Positioning rules for maximum flexibility
- Create file server access management for Johnny's clients
- Minimum and maximum screen flexibility
- Make the whole thing load as fast as possible...