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Clients
This selected list includes
some of our most recent clients:
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Schneider Electric |
We were responsible for more than 1000 technical manuals. We also worked on
help file development, content management systems (CMS), documentation
planning, producing training materials, face-to-face training and
translation functions.
The main projects we managed include:
Easergy
MiCOM P40 range
The P40 range covers intelligent electronic devices /
relays used for electrical protection on electrical lines, transformers,
rotating machinery, generators and busbars. The manuals re-use information
from databases and spreadsheets; allowing data to be placed in manuals
automatically. Initially these manuals were produced using Word and Visio,
but increasingly now use MadCap Flare.
Visual Basic Word Customisation
The default Microsoft Word interface and functions did not meet the needs of
authors to produce manuals efficiently, so we customised the Word interface
and created time-saving functions/macros using Visual Basic code.
MadCap
Flare Content Management System (CMS)
Developed a CMS to move from a
Word/Visio system towards a MadCap Flare xml/png system. The CMS includes
different targets, variables and conditions; allowing multiple document
types to be created from the same sources. We also completed a major project
to merge different manuals into a common form.
Easergy Studio and BTC
toolsuites
We created the help files for these suites of software using
MadCap Flare and Lingo. They were written in English and then translated
into multiple languages.
IEC61850 manuals
We created IEC61850
communications protocol documentation for IEDs at substations. These were
produced using Word, with automatic formatting macros. |
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Areva T&D / Alsthom Grid |
Responsible for originating new templates for a set of 1000-page technical
manuals in the fields of electronic and electrical engineering. Also worked
on data quality processing in databases and spreadsheets; restructuring them
so they could be inserted into manuals automatically. Also provided training
for people to adapt work practices to move towards more automated production
methods. This role involved working with colleagues in Germany, France,
Poland, India and China.
A major part of this contract was done on a
tele-working basis. |
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Ultra Electroncs |
Responsible for writing several Design Definition Substantiation Reports. These
formed part of the overall safety case for the control and instrumentation for
the Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactors used in the UK Astute-class submarine
fleet.
These reports contained information about the concept, design,
manufacture, performance and testing of high-integrity instrumentation and
control systems, coolant systems, circuit boards and other
electrical/electronic/mechanical components. This equipment is used in existing
and new-build control systems and sensors as well as upgrades to existing boats
and has been designed for a minimum 24-year lifetime.
The work involved
researching information stored in a DOORS requirements database, checking it
against concept designs, testing specifications, test reports, equipment, Q&A
requirements and creating any necessary illustrations.
Also responsible for
making changes to the DOORS requirements database.
Staff needed to obtain UK
Security Clearance for this role as this was a UK defence project. |
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Alpha Training Limited
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Paper and screen-based training documentation
Developed a
Style Guide for screen-based slides and the paper-based technical notes. Created
presentations, notes for lecturers, and printouts for students. Wrote and
illustrated module-based Technical Notes booklet, issued daily or weekly.
IT Support Course
Developed
training covering PCs (internal and external components), Windows, Networks,
Word, Excel and Access; installation of common applications and network
protocols, and troubleshooting hardware, software and network problems.
Visual Basic 6
Programming
Defined training modules to train people to use VB6 and work as database
developers or in programming roles. The course content included controls,
properties, events, methods, and MSDN. Through programming exercises, the course
also covered timers, loops, variables, databases, data access objects,
normalisation, lists, combos and reporting.
Training Modules on Word, Excel and Access
Created
self-study modules to help people learn and use Word, Excel and Access to an
Intermediate level; and Word and Excel to an Advanced level. These were
available as slides, with an associated workbook and several test exercises. |
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Badgerland
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Web Master for
www.badgerland.co.uk |
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Bradford & Bingley Group
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Document
Conversion On-line help systems - including converting paper procedures to on-line distribution.
On-Line Help
systems for financial and business processesWrote new help
files for COSHH, Health & Safety, Financial Compliance, business procedures and
converted paper-based procedures to Windows Help format.
Staff
SupervisionSupervised two
other authors. Improved work-practices of the team. Introduced version-control
procedures and workflow. |
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BAE Systems
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Technical manuals for the defence industry - written using AECMA Simplified English. |
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BSS Group plc
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Training Modules
for ADP Kerridge K8 Supply Chain We were
responsible for producing roughly 500 documents and presentations to be used to
train staff how to use a new computer system for the BSS Supply Chain. Using the
ADP Kerridge K8 software, we planned the distribution centres aspect of the
training documentation, allocating work to other content developers,
supervising the quality of their work and monitoring their deadlines.
Documentation
Standards GuideWe also
prepared a Documentation Standards Guide, which was adopted by the BSS Group for
the production and design of their training documentation. We also developed a
Word Template to improve the speed with which documentation could be produced;
and created a macro to accelerate the editing process to make roughly 250
documents more consistent with one another and the Documentation Standards.
Training
ExercisesWe also planned the logistics of creating unique sets of training exercises
for roughly 300 training locations across the UK. We devised production methods
for producing localised training documentation and workbooks, suitable for
various subsidiary companies, several different distribution centres and several
hundred BSS or PTS branches. |
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Communities Scotland
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Staff Training
Manuals We prepared a
User Guide for the LEADS staff training software. The User Guide was designed to
explain how to use the LEADS software, as well as the business procedures
surrounding the planning, authorisation, completion and follow-up procedures for
staff training courses.
Template
DevelopmentWe also formulated a series of templates to ease technical authorship
processes in the future, and worked on proposals to improve the user interface
and the development of the LEADS system for future releases. A major part of
this contract was done on a tele-working basis. |
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Computer Team Group Ltd |
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On-line help systems - including preparatory work in converting Windows help systems into HTML intranet files. |
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Eurolink Group
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Software technical manuals and electronic publishing solutions. |
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Fircroft
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Technical manuals for the UK and Saudi Arabian defence industries. |
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HAYS IT
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On-line help systems - including preparatory work in converting Windows help systems into HTML intranet files. |
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Line Communications |
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Training modules for the Defence Information Infrastructure project for the ATLAS Consortium / General Dynamics and the MoD. The modules covered the installation, maintenance and management of IT systems, for worldwide use.
The work required us to understand the military background of the trainees, research the subjects, put together storyboards for the training, shoot photos, create diagrams and place the modules in a web-based interface. The training followed the British Army EDIP (Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate, Practice) training method. Mainly:
Installation and Maintenance of computer hardware – including ruggedised laptops, laptop management and administration, HP 360 and Sun Fire Server hardware, printers, scanners, switches and routers, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and network / data management devices.
Computer Management – including Administration of Search Services, ColdFusion, HP Radia OpenView and Virtual Infrastructure Management.
Staff obtained UK Security Clearance for this work as this was a UK MoD project.
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Modis International |
| Technical Manuals for use in the design and manufacturing of products. On-line help made available as Windows Help files and as HTML intranet files. |
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www.if.com
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On-line context-sensitive help to show people how to use the
their on-line banking system. |
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Lancashire Badger Group
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Corporate Identity Documents and Templates
We prepared a wide range of
corporate identity-type documents, such as Word and PowerPoint Templates;
decided on a data management and storage policy and arranged for documents to be
printed.
Newsletters
We prepared quarterly newsletters for members, which give news about badgers;
as well as detailed information about ecology and the environment.
Computerised
Membership Database
We have also computerised their membership records and put them into a
database too.
Library
We prepared a Badger Library, which contains more than 400 documents about
badgers. The library is available in paper-based and electronic formats.
Audio-Visual
Presentations
We prepared presentations to explain about badgers to a selection of
different audiences. These ranged from members of the public badgers, through to
wildlife ecologists and members of the Police Force (such as wildlife liaison
officers).
Access
Database Development
We developed an Access database for the Lancashire Badger Group, to include
locations and maps of all known badger setts in Lancashire. |
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Lever Brothers
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On-line help made available as Windows Help files and as HTML intranet files. |
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Mion Electronics
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Proposals for HTML internet pages and graphic design. |
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NCR Corporation
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Branch Aid
Updated context-sensitive HTML Help
files of technical software documentation for their Auto-Teller Machine (ATM)
software and electronic publishing solutions. The three main products were the
Branch Aid Engine, the Branch Procedures Tool and the Branch Aid Software
Developers Kit.
S4i
Updated a 120-page system reference
manual for NCRs S4i SDK. We prepared this manual using Adobe FrameMaker; and
published it using Acrobat Distiller to create a single Acrobat PDF file.
Help Maker Blue
Helped develop the Help Maker Blue
single-source documentation tool. I used this to extract information from
software specifications (in Microsoft Word) and convert it into end-user
documentation in the Windows HTML Help format. We could convert approximately
500 pages of Word documents into 1,000 Help topics in less than one day. We also
wrote the user documentation, prepared and gave a training course in how to use
the tool; and supplied a training guide.
Edge Base Application
Edited 12 software specifications for
all software components for a web-based interface for an ATM. We used the Help
Maker Blue tool to prepare HTML Help-based documentation for software
developers.
Java XFS
Edited 12 software specifications for
software components for a Java-based interface for an ATM. We used the
Help Maker Blue tool to prepare HTML Help-based documentation for software
developers.
Status Code Notebook
Each major component in an ATM issues
status codes. Lists of these status codes were issued to help desk personnel in
the form of a paper notebook, which was costly, error-prone and rapidly became
out-of-date. Using RoboHelp, We converted the notebook into an HTML Help
application, so that the help desk could provide a quicker service and that
service engineers were not sent out unnecessarily. |
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NCC Education
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Documentation Management
Set up a new system for technical documentation, such as user guides and
technical reference manuals. We created a series of new templates in Microsoft
Word for different types of documentation. We also originated procedures to
manage preparing, testing, approving, issuing and updating documentation. We also
developed a style guide, and created Acrobat PDF and RoboHelp documents.Automated Testing Software (ATS)
Created a documentation set for NCC’s Automated Testing Software. This
software tests a candidate’s ability to use a PC, and operate common office-type
software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) software
Created a documentation set for NCC’s ECDL software.
Generic web-based testing engine
Created a documentation set for NCC’s generic web-based computer driving
licence testing engine. These were written using Plain English. |
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News Digital Systems Corporation
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A3 Intranet Web Site
We created a new web site for their A3 Project, and published this on their
group intranet. Accessible to workers in the UK, Israel, France, India and the
United States, this explained about the new generation of set-top boxes will
allow for high-definition television, using satellite technology.HDI User Guide and Reference Manual
We prepared the Hardware Driver Interface (HDI) for Direct TV documentation.
This was written to allow third-party software developers to program digital
hardware, such as TVs, set-top boxes, remote controls, on-screen displays,
modems and network connectivity, digital recording technology. The 460-page User
Guide allowed set-top box manufacturers to produce driver software for their own
boxes. The 700-page Reference Manual provided software developers with technical
API documentation covering all the functions, events and types used in the HDI.
This documentation was prepared using Microsoft Word 2003 and Acrobat 6.0.Microsoft FrontPage Publishing
We created a new web site to showcase the FrontPage product. This included
showing how to plan a new web site, how to create and maintain it, how to create
style sheets and how to use them in a compatible way across multiple web sites.
The work included Policy and Procedure documents, as well as a demonstration web
site for new users.Visual Basic Macro Development
We also created a series of macros, to create new content within FrontPage.
The macros added toolbars and macro functions to FrontPage, allowing complex
creation tasks to be done very quickly. The macros were made available as a
downloadable software kit by any one who uses FrontPage. We also created several
training modules, to explain the use of the new macros and the latest FrontPage
publishing concepts (such as Dynamic Templates). |
| Platinum Rails |
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Produced User Guide and an Installation Manual for their Curve stairlift. Gathered information about the stairlift, how it was installed, shot photos, designed a layout, and produced the manual in Word and PDF formats.
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| Private Clients |
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Desktop publishing, graphic design, print, web publishing. |
| Racal Radar Defence (part of Thales) |
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Technical manuals for the defence industry - written according to various military specifications, using
AECMA Simplified English. |
| Reed Consulting |
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Paper and screen-based training documentation |
| Tunstall Group |
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Technical manuals, electronic publishing (help files and digital copying), printed documentation, document management and graphic design. |
| Unilever plc |
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Technical Manuals for use in the design and manufacturing of products. |
| VeriSim Ltd |
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HTML-based help for on-line banking systems. |
| Note: Whilst we have been successful in gaining several well-known plc clients, we are still more than happy to deal with smaller
organisations! |
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