Profile: C2K
Simon Osborne, Technical Director of C2K, on the Cardiff-based, Internet-focused company.
What products/services does your company provide?
Primarily, we provide Internet services via web design services but we have an electrical/electronics engineering background so we
can offer a much wider portfolio of services such as system integration and back office solutions. This involves linking IT systems to
shop floor systems within the manufacturing sector.
Overall, we provide the following services:
web design
graphic and multimedia development
web hosting
e-commerce
web applications
industrial control systems
industrial control systems consultancy
IT training and consultancy.
What's unique/outstanding about your products/services?
We have a very strong desire to combine the very best products with the very best customer service. We can target a niche market that
links the IT field with engineering. Although this is a vital linkage, very few companies can target this area.
It is the area that can take shop floor data from production lines and make it available on the web.
What's the history of your company?
The company was set up to address the initial surge in e-business systems for very small companies - those companies that couldn't
afford the systems such as SAP. The companies that we target want a simple system with a simple price tag, not long complicated quotes
that gave you every option under the sun.
Where do you see your company going in the future?
The company is gearing up to be a major player for complete website solutions, from web hosting to web marketing. The only thing
holding us back is the lack of infrastructure for reliable, cost effective broadband connectivity within South Wales.
That aside we continue to be a dynamic, rapidly growing company maintaining a one to one relationship with or clients.
What one piece of technology (software/hardware/other) has benefited your company the most?
A general understanding of systems application is the real benefit. You can then use current technology to implement solutions.
There's no point in saying: "Here's a product, now lets see what we can do with it!" You either know instinctively and through experience
what's right or you don't. Microsoft's .NET framework is an example of what is right. It has been extremely helpful in enabling us to
create advanced web applications that give greater functionality and control to the websites that we can offer. Our most recent website,
www.waf.uk.net , has been created using .NET, and its flexibility has allowed us
to create a site that gives the client complete control.
What one piece of advice would you give to start-up companies in your field?
Understand that you have to have a product or service that you can genuinely offer.
What's been the key to your success?
Customer satisfaction! Don't try and pull the wool over your customers' eyes. They will instinctively know if you can or can't do the
job. Obviously, you may cover new ground with clients but again you should instinctively know how far to stretch yourself.
Find out more about Control2K at www.control2k.co.uk.
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