projects
Since starting in business in 1990, we have carried out numerous projects for a wide variety of clients.
On all our projects, we offer implementation, documentation and on site training as part of the package.
Choose a link to see a selection of our past and current projects
Database
Client: Hamlyn Books
Project: Provide databases to manage all stages of book production from initial copy entry and editing through to producing PDF files for printers.
The page layout of all of the books detailed below were either fully or partially automated using the same databases which editors used to write and edit the text.
Books Produced
- The Times Guide to Golf Courses
- Who's Who in Golf
- The Hamlyn Crossword Dictionary
- The Hamlyn Pocket Crossword Dictionary
Client: Emap Automotive
Project: RIDE, EMAP's leading consumer magazine for motorcyclists needed a means of analysing the many thousands of replies they received to their first Rider Power consumer survey.
They contacted us for a solution.
Working with our database specialist, Chris Thorpe, we designed and built a database to analyse the results for them Ð a task made difficult by the fact that the replies had already been received on forms that were not designed for data input.
Building on the work we did for them in the first year, EMAP has developed the Rider Power survey into the leading source of consumer information for motorcyclists in the UK.
To see the current survey, visit their website
Client: Cazenove and Co
(leading independent UK Stockbroker)
Project: Build a document management system to help Cazenove track all stages of production for the many printed products produced by their documentation department.
We had originally been called in to overhaul and update the technical infrastructure of the department responsible for producing all of the company's internal and external documentation.
It became apparent during the course of the work that a system to manage production from the initial brief through to printing was necessary. We produced a cross platform solution to enable the management process.
Task automation
Client: The Readers Digest Association
Project: Automate the modification of Quark Xpress layouts originated in the USA for UK production.
The UK and the USA have different design values. What works visually in the States will not always work well in the UK.
When adapting books originated by the parent company in America for sale in the UK, wholesale changes in page size, shape and typography are often required.
To achieve this by manual reworking was taking a huge amount of time.
Using our knowledge of both Quark Xpress and AppleScript, we automated all the dimensional and typographic stages, leaving editors and designers free to concentrate on the vital tasks of fine tuning the books for the UK market.
Client: Faber and Faber
Project: Extract directory content information from the Faber and Faber Network.
Faber & Faber are the UK's leading independent book publisher. They held a vast amount of material relating to their books on the network and needed to extract specific information relating to that material.
To carry out the task manually would have required over two hundred person hours.
Using an efficiently written application developed in AppleScript, we achieved the same task in less than one working day.
Technical infrastructure
Client: Egmont UK
(leading publisher of children's books and magazines
Project: Manage change from Macintosh OS 9 to Macintosh OS X across two sites with a total of 80 users.
MacMasters handle the transition from the planning stage, through testing to final implementation.
We carried out a full audit of hardware and software. We advised Egmont on machine upgrades and replacements and provided detailed costings
We tested system configurations to arrive at the optimum build for each site.
We used mass deployment techniques to roll out the upgrade so we were able roll out new and reconfigured machines in the minimum possible time.
The roll out was planned in stages to allow time for user training and post implementation support.
This project also included the integration of OS X Server into Egmont's Windows server farm.
Client: Faber and Faber
Project: Revise network infrastructure and overhaul user support procedures.
Connections from Macintosh computers to Windows file servers was not stable.
A project was already under way to install a SAN.
As an interim measure, we deployed an XServe to handle the day to day data storage and access needs of the Design and Production departments. Downtime due to connectivity problems was largely eradicated.
At a later stage, when the SAN was in place, we implemented a fibre channel connection to the SAN from the XServe and incorporated the XServe into the PC based back-up system.
We deployed Apple Remote Desktop so that support could be handled via a VPN link when we were off site.
Client: Stanza Consulting
(consulting structural engineers)
Project (ongoing): We are assisting Stanza in their migration to OS X. We are providing both consultative and hand on implementation services.
So far, we have replaced Stanza's Appleshare IP 6 server with OS X Server version 10.4. This involved complex data migration most of which was achieved over a weekend to avoid lost working time.
All current users are running Macintosh OS 9. We will be implementing the switch to OS X later in 2006.
Workflow management
We have designed or modified and implemented digital workflows for the following companies:
- Egmont (2 sites with differing requirements)
- EMAP (4 sites with differing requirements)
- Faber & Faber (ongoing)
- Direct Approach
- Octane Media
- Stanza Consulting (ongoing)
