Microsoft SQL Server

Cloud Street develop software applications in Microsoft SQL Server when a solution needs to cope with significant complexity or ‘business rule logic’, multiple users, large data volumes, high performance or wide scope for future adaptability and growth. MS SQL Server development also allows for the addition of online functionality now, or in future project phases.

Your system will need a ‘front end’ user interface (the part of the system that users, rather than developers, see). MS SQL Server can be used with windows or internet applications (web sites) developed using the Microsoft .NET platform. Alternatively, we may recommend using Microsoft Access for the front end, which can provide a flexible, quick-to-develop, and cost-effective solution.

Your ‘back end’ SQL Server database can be hosted (accessed over the internet) or located within your office. 'Cloud computing' solutions (using SQL Server Azure) are also now accessible and realistic for SME businesses.

We work with clients to design and build tailor-made applications, specifically to meet the requirements of their business. We don’t have an off-the-shelf, standard package, but our extensive experience does mean that we come with good ideas for common needs or problems. We adapt and integrate these with build-from-scratch approaches for more specific requirements, to come out with a custom solution each time.

• Planning and scheduling of orders, jobs, tasks or meetings, which may include task assignment or organisation across several team members
• Managing catalogues of products, services, specifications and prices, which might also need to be viewable on a sales website
• Generating customer quotes, statements of account or invoices for standard or customised products and package deals
• Relationship management for customers, funders, suppliers or participants, who may interact with multiple people inside the organisation
• Tracking or auditing of timesheets, training, certification or equipment inspections, which might require different levels of security or access for different users
• Management reporting on performance
• Upload (or download) of information from external sources in to the company database, eg from supplier catalogues, third-party information sources, real-time exchange rate providers, etc.

• Allow you to host your data in a data centre and have users access it from multiple locations
• Provide user access using either a PC-based interface or a web-based interface
• Keep your data secure, and give different permission levels to different users
• Provide back-office systems to support ‘data-driven’ websites – e.g. sites that display large, complex product catalogues, or allow significant user interaction
• Automate processes for customers or suppliers by allowing them to access or interface with parts of internal company systems

You are certainly not limited to these lists – SQL Server can provide a solution to support the very particular requirements of your business. See our case studies for more details and client testimonials.

We often build SQL Server applications that interface with other business software or desktop programmes such as Excel, Word, or Outlook or Sage – e.g. an account management system that creates PDF invoices for printing, or planning system that will generate reminder emails for suppliers. We can build applications that interface with supplier systems or legacy systems.

To support our software, you will need to have Microsoft SQL Server installed on your PC or server. We will discuss the specific software requirements with you at the outset of the project.

Call us now on 0845 643 0851 for a discussion of your particular needs – or complete a contact form and we’ll call you.