Do you have a Legacy System and worry about support ?

Then don’t…

If you have a legacy system and support is no longer provided by the software provider or the in house developer has left,  then TGF Software can help… we are very familiar with the challenge of picking up applications that have already been developed, and working with them.  

One such example was for a company that  had their own in-house application where the developer was leaving. The application was used to record details of adverts sold for inclusion in free advertising and promotional materials. The in-house commission application used this information to calculate the commissions and anniversary payments due to the self employed sales contractors and produced management reports detailing the revenue generated and commissions paid.  The application was written in Clipper and dbase.

We familiarised ourselves with the application by talking to the users of the system and analysing the data structures and source code (where this was available).  Initially we just supported the application by fixing problems and performing data changes when required to increase commission rates which were usually undertaken by the developer.  In line with our philosophy that any mundane or repetitive task should be automated, we wrote a routine that enabled nominated users to set up new or amend existing commission rates. 

Very soon together with the users and client we were jointly identifying and agreeing other areas that could be improved or enhanced upon for example the automation of the files output to the Accounting and Inland Revenue systems.

We can support legacy applications in a number of languages including:

• Basic
• Access
• Delphi
• Foxbase
• Foxpro
• Clipper
• Dbase
• Cobol
• Fortran
• Paradox
• Visual Basic 6
• SQLServer7 

Stay Connected With TGF Software On FaceBook

TGF Software are now on FaceBook. Check out our FaceBook company page and discover the latest news and information about our company.

On our FaceBook page you will be able to view the services we offer, View our blog and keep up to date with what’s happening at TGF Software.

FaceBook is a great way of connecting with people and promoting your business.
Why not create your own FaceBook company page today!

If you are already a member on FaceBook why not our page so you can stay connected with the goings on at TGF Software.

Visit our page at www.FaceBook.com and don’t forget to like our page.

Or if you want to get in touch directly feel free to:
Call: 01925 758900
Email: Software@tgfconsultants.co.uk

Are Rolling Backups Sufficient?

As part of our latest audit for ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System registration (TGF passed with flying colours, of course), backup of vital data was reviewed.  We explained that we had Rolling Backups and a series of Snapshots Backups that were never overwritten.

We were asked why the snapshots if we had the rolling backups.  “But what happens when you need a file from 6 weeks ago.” we cried.  This happens all to often when we get a desperate phone call from a User or Client trying to recover a File from Backups that don’t go far enough back, hoping that we have a backup for them.  Of course, if it is a file or a piece of software we supplied we have backups of every issue.

Our Auditor explained that a lot of the Companies he audits rely purely on the rolling backup, sometimes only over 7 days.  He is now going to take on board the possible shortcomings of this approach.

TGF Software Recommended Backup Strategy

The nature of your data, the amount of data to backup and your available budget will affect your backup strategy.

If you can identify any data that is critical to your business then you must consider two types of backup:

• Rolling Backups – This is standard practice for most businesses.  The frequency will vary depending on requirements, for example, 7 days or 30 days but eventually all data will be overwritten.
• Snapshot Backups - Regularly snapshot crucial data so it will never be overwritten.  Imagine you lose you rolling backups and then decide what data must be available.  This will give you a good idea of what must be secured.  This must be planned for in terms of storage space and scheduling.

TGF Software are now on LinkedIn!

TGF Software are now on LinkedIn. Feel free to browse our company page and discover information about our incredible team of software consultants.

Check out our LinkedIn company page to see a selection of the great services that we offer and see what we can do for you today:

• Software Migration
• Custom Software Development
• Systems Integration
• Support for Legacy Systems
• Sharepoint Consultancy
• Website Development

LinkedIn is an excellent Social Media tool to stay connected with business associates and promote your business. Why not create your own company LinkedIn page today!

If you already on LinkedIn why not follow us….

Can a paper free automated software system meet the requirements of the Quality Management System ISO9001?

Yes it can!

TGF Software have just undergone our latest audit for our ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System registration.  As always we sailed through it!

Our Auditor said we had developed the best paper free software system he had ever seen to manage our office systems as our ISO9001:2008 requirements are built right into the heart of our systems and don’t require any effort to fulfil. 

We are a software house so we have developed these systems in-house but the procedures within the software system can be customised to meet any companies requirements.  It is important always to automate the procedures that you actually use rather than imposing systems upon employees.

Modules in the system include: 

• Emails related to individual jobs both sent and received, are automatically logged against the Job. Meeting notes are scanned into the same Log and records of telephone calls etc can also be included.  Invoices sent out are automatically added to the Log and payments received can be associated.  
• Checklists for managing Jobs from lead through tendering to the contract stage including contract variations, inspection and testing. 
• Timesheet management linked directly to financial management of jobs, payroll and invoicing systems. 
• Management of Quality Feedback and associated actions, both positive and negative feedback, including associated analysis and trending. 
• Management of internal audits and management review of the Quality System. 
• Storage and control of training records. 
• Management reporting at all stages of the process.

 So you don’t have to struggle with a quality management system and drown in paperwork – it is easy to automate your procedures and have a paper free system that fits right into your way of working to meet your quality management system requirements.

TGF Software Blog Begun

TGF Software is starting a blog to give help and assistance to our Clients and prospective Clients.

We will be posting interesting information on the software we use, news on applications and some snippets of news on TGF.

Please feel free to suggest topics that we could cover in future blogs.

Further detail on TGF Software, who we are and what we do, is available from our About page.