Technologies
Technologies used in web development projects
There’s not a lot we don’t know about the tools we use, so however complex your system may need to be, we can build it.
Xibis uses the most efficient languages and tools for the job and we are the most ardent supporters of Internet standards, ensuring our solutions incorporate them so all our clients’ websites are fully accessible.
We can also incorporate a range of third party technologies into your solution if needed, such as hosting options, online payment systems and file servers, provided by our best-of-breed technology partners.
Tools we use:
ASP.NET
AJAX
ASP
C#
JAVASCRIPT
XML
MS SQL Server
SMS
Digital Print Integration
PDF
ASP.NET
ASP.NET should not be confused with old ASP. Old ASP is relatively similar to PHP in that it uses a scripting language within the pages that is translated as the page runs.
ASP.NET, by contrast, offers a fully compiled (that means your site runs very fast and is less likely to contain bugs), rich object-orientated suite of programming languages and full access to Microsoft's powerful .NET Framework.
Some of the benefits of ASP.NET include:
• Compiled web pages which load and run faster.
• Straightforward deployment which means updates are quicker.
• Automatic cross-browser support.
• Re-useable code which saves overall development time.
At Xibis, we've been working with ASP.NET since 2002 - and working with it almost exclusively since 2003.
AJAX
AJAX web development technique for creating interactive web applications. The intent is to make web pages feel more responsive by exchanging small amounts of data with the server behind the scenes, so that the entire web page does not have to be reloaded each time the user requests a change. This is intended to increase the web page's interactivity, speed, and usability. In short, AJAX applications work faster and make the web work more like a desktop application.
Some of the benefits of AJAX include:
• Speed of applications, making AJAX particularly useful for frequently-used systems such as extranets, intranets or administration areas.
• Improvements to the user experience since with AJAX; the page often can be updated dynamically, allowing a faster response to the user's interaction.
• More efficient bandwidth usage with “load on demand,” which makes AJAX web pages appear to load relatively quickly since the payload coming down is much smaller in size.
At Xibis, we use AJAX heavily within our systems, especially in the admin area where it can drastically reduce the amount of time the administrator needs to spend maintaining the site.
ASP
Classic ASP provided a framework for building dynamic features and content which enabled Internet and intranet applications to be interactive. We no longer use ASP except to support very old sites. We switched to using ASP.NET in 2002.
C#
A modern, object-oriented language which aims to combine the computing strength of C++ with the programming ease of Visual Basic, in order to quickly build a wide range of applications for the ASP.NET platform.
The exquisite design of C# means it is excellent for building up a wide range of components from high level business objects to system level applications, which can then be converted into web services.
Another benefit of using the C# language is that its simple and concise architecture means a virtual elimination of programming errors, enhancing the productivity of all involved.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a concise, object-based scripting language for developing client and server Internet applications. The code can be embedded into standard HTML pages to create interactive documents.
Use of JavaScript can enhance the dynamics and interactive features of a web page. It can direct responses from of variety of events, objects and actions (such as user's mouse clicks, start-ups and exits of pages and browsers).
XML
The main aim of XML was to create a way of storing structured data in a non-proprietary format that can be easily understood by different computer systems. This separates the display of information from its structure as data. XML is good for the transmission of data from server to browser and passing data from application to application, and machine to machine.
XML is often used in content management as the display can be changed easily as the content is not locked to the design. Another way that XML is starting to branch out into it the use of web services. These allow systems to communicate over the Internet and to cooperate with each other. An example of this is when a consumer orders an item from a vendor's website; the vendor's site could communicate with their suppliers to re-order stock, automatically.
MS SQL Server
MS SQL Server is an integral database and data analysis package, which is highly scalable and reliable. Your data management and analysis is equipped with dexterity in the hands of SQL Server, empowering your organisation and customers to adapt quickly and easily.
SQL Server is fully web-enabled, allowing easy access to data through the Internet, and providing powerful, flexible web-based investigation.
It also boasts quick development, debugging and data transformation; tools to speed development from concept to final delivery; integrated and extensible analysis services; and simplified management and tuning.
SMS
Integration with SMS allows tailored information to be sent to a large number of employees or clients at the touch of a button. You can profile your user list and target individuals or broadcast the same message to thousands of people.
There are many potential uses including:
• Run SMS opinion polls that update graphs on your website.
• Integrate with your calendar and remind your customers of their appointments at your offices – ideal for dentists, doctors or even hair salons.
• Automatically send birthday greetings to your client list.
• Inform your sales team of calls they receive while on the road.
Digital Print Integration
We can integrate your web-based application with digital print technology. The process can involve taking data from users online, which can include basic text, XML feeds, and even image files. Our software will collect and process the chosen data and export it automatically into your chosen supplier's digital print system. Example uses include:
• Personalised brochures
• Automated mass mailshot
• Greetings cards
• Calendars
• Business stationery
PDF
HTML is not always the best option. When data needs to be printed or you want to make it more difficult for users to copy and paste the text, PDF is a better option. Xibis can generate PDF documents on the fly from your database content in the same way that we can generate the HTML pages on your web site. Example uses include:
• Send out invoices via PDF.
• Provide your database-driven price list in a printable format.
• Automatically generate a PDF product catalogue.