Technology

Website hosting

We provide web hosting services to individuals and small businesses.  Services include

• Domain hosting
• Secure site
• CGI scripts facility
• Server side includes
• Sub domains
• E-commerce facility
• E-mail accounts (pop3 and IMAP)
• Web based e-mail access
• FTP access
• Mysql database

We can set your site up with a Content Management System complete with templates for your site design. This gives you easy control over your site content allowing you to update the site as you require.  The CMS we recommend includes a number of extension modules including E-commerce with built-in access to either the Worldpay or DPS payment gateway, blogs, user defined forms, forums and more.  See the Silverstripe site for more information.

Database development

We can develop an online database built around the MySQL relational database management system.  We have a framework in place that allows us to quickly build an online membership database providing facilities including:

• Members able to update their own details
• Online voting
• Decisions register
• Direct e-mail to the entire membership or specific branches
• Online forum for ongoing disucssion

We can further build on this framework to provide additional functionality such as  Professional Development tracking and online invoicing of members.

One of our additional services is the ongoing administration of memberships for distributed organisations.  An online database complements this service nicely.

Online Mailing lists

We run a number of online mailing lists for various organisations.  These provide a two way dialogue between members of a group through a single e-mail address.  Our mailing list software provides web access to list archives and provides for the easy addition and deletion of members.

We can administer your mailing lists or provide you with the access to administer them yourself.

Open source

CLAD Services is a supporter of Open Source software.  A partial list of the software we use includes:

• Open Office - a complete office suite comparable to Microsoft Office.
• Silverstripe - a Web Content Management System.
• SugarCRM -  a Customer Relationship Management system.
• OpenSuse Linux - the operating system we use on our desktop computers and laptops.
• Centos - the operating system we use on our servers.
• Trixbox - A PABX system that runs our VOIP phone system.
• Firefox - the web browser
• Thunderbird - our e-mail client

Using Open Source software can help reduce your overheads by removing or reducing the cost of ownership of software.  In addition you are not restricted to using the software solely as dictated by the licence holder.  With open source software you are free to use it as you see fit as long as you abide by the copyright licence.  Other advantages include

• reduced dependence on software vendors
• increased availability of support
• easy customisation

We recommend you consider the use of Open Source software where ever appropriate.  We can provide advice and expertise in installing and setting up systems for you.