Steve Robinson originally formed his first company in 1983 (STROBE Software) which was then specifically aimed at the home computer market developing software products for both the entertainment and educational sectors. In 1984 Steve joined an office equipment company `Barrow Office Equipment (BOE)' in order to concentrate on the industrial and business computer markets developing many vertical market applications. Steve left BOE in 1986 to concentrate on technical authorship and systems analysis. During this period a comprehensive computer systems course was undertaken at Howard Street College in order to expand his knowledge of computing and to become a member of a professional body such as `The British Computer Society'.
In 1988 Steve purchased the computer department from BOE after the new owners realised that computer hardware and software needed an in-depth knowledge and expertise for the computer industry to succeed. BOE had endured modest success in selling equipment but found difficulty in supporting the sales with present staff that could only offer tuition and advice on current software developments and found difficulty in carrying out modifications and enhancements to existing equipment and software.
Steve who had been working as a systems analyst and programmer on projects for BNFL and other renowned companies was already looking to restart his own business and was confident that he could provide computerised solutions to many local businesses.
Steve took on the full technical support and computer development role from BOE and they had found the answer to a problem that had recently limited the commitment to sales of computer systems with pre-developed and standard 'off the shelf' packages.
The company has now become a family business and now is known as Remtek stemming from the words Remote Technology and over the years Remtek have developed software solutions specifically for and in conjunction with a number of different types of businesses throughout Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and London. The variety of users now extends from shops who wish to keep strict control of stocks, window manufacturers that need to be able to design, price up any style of window and produce manufacturing details all within minutes, through to industrial suppliers and distributors that need to maintain stock levels at the optimum to service their clients whilst not holding too much stock that will tie up valuable capital.
Remtek now maintain services to numerous customers that use the company's standard stock-control, sales invoicing, purchase and sales ledger accounts system, and have carried out enhancements for customers who require their package to operate in a particular fashion to suit their individual type of trade or profession. Although the company has a range of "standard" software packages, it is quick to realise that each client is different even though many of the functional requirements are similar to other users - this is where the company can offer individual attention to detail and enhance the "standard" to meet the most critical of requirements up to and including the requirements of BS5750 and the European ISO9000+.
Software Development
A vast range of software systems developed by Remtek are readily available and each system is further tailored to the requirements of the customer.
The following is a list of just some of the software already developed:
Click Meter - Meter Reading used on photocopying leasing.
Enquiry/Order Manager - From Enquiry to Delivery BS5750 Processing
EPOS2000 - Electronic Point of Sale, Stock Control and Accounts
FINACCS - Financial Loans and Accounts
Genealogy - Family Tree and History Records
HandyCapp - Golf Club Members Records, Competition Processing.
Hydracomms - Communications system to deep sea probes.
Property Accounts - Property Letting and Accounting.
Professional Accounts - Comprehensive Accounting and Stock System
SCOPSYS - Stock Control & Order Processing System
Solvets - Veterinary Practices, Drugs Control, Accounts
Vehicle Maintenance System - Vehicle History and Owner Records, Accounts
Video Library - Video Membership and trace-ability.
WindowLedger - Window Manufacturing, Design and Accounting.
Customers
Some of our Major Customers include the following:
Appleby Golf Club - Moorland Golf Club
Arnold Diggle & Son - Petrol Services Maintenance
Barton / Townley - Vehicle Sales and Maintenance
Bluebird/Martinis/Kavanaghs - Night Club Entertainment
C.T. Hayton Ltd - Agricultural Engineers
Church Walk Veterinary Centre - Veterinary Practice
Classic Windows - Window Manufacturer and Installer
Cumberland Building Society - Head Office Carlisle
Cumbria Precast - Concrete and Patio Manufacturer
D. Quiggin & Son - The Original Kendal Mint Cake Company
David Atkinson Car Sales - Vehicle Sales and Maintenance
Ducas Export Services Ltd. - Electrical goods export specialist
Finesse Windows - Window Manufacturer and Installer
Furness ITeC - Information Technology Training Centre
Furness Park Motor Services - Vehicle Sales and Maintenance
Furness Park Service Station - Petrol Services
Furness Property Letting - Property Rental
Furness Brick and Tile - Brick manufacturer
Furness Finance Ltd - Financial Broker
Furness Heating Components - Gas Heating and Plumbing Distributors
Furness Insurance Consultants - Insurance Broker
HSP Milners Ltd - High Quality Printers
Janet Smales Distribution - Speciality Chocolate Distributors
Kendal Frozen Foods - Frozen Commodities Distributor
Laporte Wood Preservation - Materials Preservation
Little Tony's Tyre Shop - MOT, Tyre and Exhaust Fitters
Livingstons Solicitors - Solicitors
Melville Tyson Ltd - Retail Butcher & Grocer
Oil States MCS Ltd - Offshore developments and Engineering Design
Provincial Finance Company - Financial Broker
R.S. Morphets - Vehicle Sales and Repair, Forecourt Services
Ray Robinson & Son - Trade and Retail Ironmonger and Hardware
Regal MOT Centre - Vehicle Maintenance
Risedale Estates Ltd - Retirement Care Services
Shaw's Upholstery - Furniture Upholsterers
Sovereign Chemicals - Injection Fluids and Preservatives.
Soft Toy World - Soft Toy Retailer
St. Andrews Engineering - Steel Product Manufacturing.
Telemeter Engineering - Marine Engineers
Tool Sales Ltd - Pneumatic Equipment
Underwater Diving Services - Diving and Underwater Specialists
Urswick Engineering - Wrought Ironwork Manufacture of Fire Escapes, Gates etc.
Water Power Profiles - Materials Cutting Specialist by Water Power
Whitakers Chocolates Ltd. - Speciality Chocolate Distributors
Windermere Marina Village - Leisure and Property Specialists.
Yarl Hydraulics - Pneumatic Equipment
The company has now specialised in the development of a range of standard packages that are designed in Modules. This concept allows the basic module to be used for the standard requirement with enhancements carried out to suit the client's preference. This modular system ensures that each part of the overall system can operate on its own or as part of a complete package allowing a clients system to be expanded as necessary in the future.
Other applications are offered such as Payroll, Desk Top Publishing, Word Processing, Spreadsheet design as well as many of our own software packages. Many more companies are considering the use of networks in industrial or office environments, so that a number of users can be operating within the system at any time and can access information or carry out functions that are not unique to that department or section. As an example; a sales clerk can find the price and stock availability of any item whilst on the phone to a customer, and at the same time the stores can be checking the orders outstanding from a supplier - all from the same stock files.
Networking is a regular part of Remtek's business and all in-house programmes are written to operate in a multi-user environment, having their own network allows them to test each module in the type of environment in which it will eventually work prior to leaving the premises.
A speciality of Remtek is communications between several branches allowing users to tap into a computer system and use it, just as if they were sat in front of it. Automated processes can also collate daily information overnight, updating the main head office computer.
This also means that clients have software support on-site without the need of a visiting engineer. This is carried out by a communications package that passes control of the remote P.C. (client) to Remtek via a modem link, and from that point any modifications, repairs, or file manipulations can be carried out.
This option is proving popular with Remtek corporate clients, especially those with multi-branch operations that use PCs to administer each branch and update information regularly to and from head office. By using this new facility Remtek can offer "instant" support to any user as though they were actually in the client's offices.
Remtek not only provide the software, but the complete system whether it may be a single computer or a full multi-branch network. Like the software we ensure that the hardware provided is also capable of meeting your future expansion requirements. Our after sales support services offer further tuition, software and hardware support. As most users already know, the purchase of a computer for the home or for your business can be quite difficult with each company only putting forward the benefits of their machines and the defects of the competitors, this can cause great confusion to a buyer and invariably the choice is made for the wrong reasons.
With over 20 years of experience, at Remtek you can obtain impartial advice for the type of business you run and how computerisation can assist you. You will be under no obligation when you seek advice, so you have nothing to lose by giving them a call on Barrow (01229) 808111.