Web Development

Enterprise Applications - Our applications development services combine world-class expertise with controlled cost to help businesses reach their strategic objectives. Our development teams are led by experts with a proven track record implementing large scale enterprise projects. If you have a major assignment, we have the right team to do the job.

CRM - We specialize in delivering robust and feature rich CRM solutions customized on a variety of platforms. We also develop specific custom solutions for clients with specialized environments. CRM solutions can be integrated with your current ERP system or become the center of it. CRM is an extremely adaptable and powerful tool.

HRIS - iCatchIT’s Human Resource Information System (HRIS) was launched at SODEC in Tokyo, Japan, May 2007 to a very receptive audience. The HRIS product is a perfect HR tool for the manager who wants an application that provides key personnel with access to human resource information.

Web Solutions - We provide Web Development solutions to our enterprise customers as well as product development and realization services to our Internet infrastructure customers. iCatchIT employs a very strong software engineering processes. We have global operations across the world and a treasure chest of satisfied customers.

Mobile Solutions - At iCatchIT we believe in the powerful advantages of mobility. Leveraging mobile devices to enhance and expand the capabilities of today’s “on the go” workforce is a natural progression of the information age.

Customized Web Design

Creating a website is a lot more than making some pretty pages from a template. It is also a lot more than creating an SEO document that search engines can index. What, for example, does your visitor do when he or she gets to your site? What good is a one or two second visit? We prefer to entice visitors to read the content. That presupposes there is some content worth reading. Good graphics, slick-interactive navigation, appealing headlines, yes, they are all part of it. But nothing works like content that arouses your visitor’s need to know, piques his or her interest, or connects with his or her passion. It is about making a site that someone will read and then click on the appropriate links. That’s what web design is all about.

SEO without content is a fudge sundae that is not sweet-a big let-down. We help you create the content. Content, sir or madam, accept no substitutes! You hear people talk about new visitor hits. But what about return visits; time on site; number of pages your visitor clicked on; and, number of conversions to seek more information? These are progressive measures of visitor engagement that market-leading sites value far more than traditional metrics and engagement means conversions.

So, how do you get this content and the resulting conversions?

You contract with a team of people who know your industry and know your clients. You tell them what you want to say, what you feel passionate about. If you are smart, you will choose a knowledgeable and experienced partner who shares your passion, and together create a site that communicates with visitors.

Your project is our obsession. Good, content-rich writing, marketing savvy, creativity, and a flare for web design create sticky, interactive websites for eCommerce, Information Portals, and businesses that want to build a relationship with their visitors.

Our creative directors directors have 12 years experience leading teams of designers, marketing experts, and software developers who produce interactive websites for the enterprise. Teamwork, imagination, and technology come together to deploy solutions that are secure and cost-effective, yet easy to maintain.

Web Design Highlights

Content-Rich Writing
It’s not automatic. After we interview you to learn about what makes you feel strongly about your business, we open the head of our writing team and drop it in, shake it up, and put them in a secluded place. Out comes creative writing. Well, it’s not that simple, of course, because they will need to talk to you some more. And some research, and of course talk to you some more. Are you beginning to get the picture? This iterative process produces content that stands above formulaic, templated websites. Shoot us an email if you want to know more. We may even let you peek inside one of those opened minds.

Form and Function in Web Design

Form follows function.
Understanding your business and industry makes the aesthetics of web design come alive and the words compelling and satisfying. The goal of web design is to create interest in the reader, and ultimately to convert him or her to a friend. We have all read websites that do that, as well, of course, as those who keep the reader at arms length with over-use of jargon and poor English.

The professional writers and designers at iCatchIT believe that showing rather than telling brings the reader into the page and generates a feeling of closeness that serves your website very well. The purpose of superior web copy and design is to begin building a relationship with your visitor from his or her first visit to your site. That is a large part of what web design is all about at iCatchIT.

The other part is function. If you want to know about how we do it, please see our Software Development page to learn about what’s under the hood.

Manageable and Compatible

We beta test your inchoate site backwards and forwards; it’s not finished until it passes muster, by us, then you. It usually takes multiple passes, but the results are worth it. This is, after all, the public face of your organization that we are birthing.

It is always better to create a site where content presentation and function can be separately and easily maintained without a complete rewrite. Site maintenance should be incorporated into the design process so technologies and changes to the business environment can be seamlessly updated.

We utilize content management capabilities, XML, XHTML, CSS and other standards-driven technologies that are inculcated into the design process. Standards-driven technology means your finished site will be compatible and manageable with standard tools and web design principles.

Search Engine Optimization

Great copy is useless without visitors. You need both content and SEO. Having your site indexed by the search engines is not witchcraft. It requires properly structured web pages backed by an ongoing SEO process.

Bandwidth Optimized

We carefully optimize your site so that high and low bandwidth visitors are able to use the site efficiently.

More Information

We have a lot more to say, but at this point you should understand what we are all about. Please contact us for answers to questions or elucidation of anything you have read here. We look forward to hearing from you and talking with you.

Website Feature Clusters

It is non-productive to tabulate a taxonomy of websites because it keeps changing. Just about every site wants to be all things; and readers want content along with promotion. We list here some of the “clusters” and their domain-design issues.

Information Management

Primarily serves information about a topic, product, or service. These require careful design to keep information accessible and visible to your audience. When done correctly, it appeals to the visitor who wants to know and can be an important adjunct to eCommerce, Service, and Promotional sites. Many sites include some form of educational material, such as white papers, as part of their promotion and this is emerging as a powerful incentive to induce visitors to read your site.

Promotional

Tells about a service and sells the service provider’s strengths. These sites need charisma and careful attention to detail to relate your value proposition to prospective customers.

Transactional/eCommerce

Support and ecommerce are by far the most demanding. These sites need everything in abundance, but slick navigation and accurate, timely information is critical. Of course security and an attitude showing your visitor’s importance are absolute necessities. This is where manageability is so important because this site must be constantly updated and must reflect current Internet standards, like Web 2.0, because it adds to your credibility.

Social

Includes blogs, forums, and other computer assisted communication and related features. News-blogs, entertainment-blogs, etc are growing rapidly. Will the growth taper, as some predict? The Internet is a tough thing to predict. If you want to get into the fray, give us an email and we’ll show you how. Please see our Forum/Blog for more information, or send us an email.

Information Systems

Nature of the Work
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Employment

Job Outlook
Projections Data
Earnings
OES Data
Related Occupations
Sources of Additional Information
Significant Points
Employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.
Many managers possess advanced technical knowledge gained from working in a computer occupation.
Job opportunities will be best for applicants with a strong understanding of business and good communication skills.

In the modern workplace, it is imperative that technology works both effectively and reliably. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the implementation of technology within their organizations. They do everything from helping to construct a business plan to overseeing network security to directing Internet operations.

Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct research and facilitate the computer-related activities of firms. They help determine both technical and business goals in consultation with top management and make detailed plans for the accomplishment of these goals. This requires a strong understanding of both technology and business practices.
Computer and information systems managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, support specialists, and other computer-related workers. They plan and coordinate activities such as installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, development of computer networks, and implementation of Internet and intranet sites. They are increasingly involved with the upkeep, maintenance, and security of networks. They analyze the computer and information needs of their organizations from an operational and strategic perspective and determine immediate and long-range personnel and equipment requirements. They assign and review the work of their subordinates and stay abreast of the latest technology to ensure the organization does not lag behind competitors.
The duties of computer and information systems managers vary greatly. Chief technology officers (CTOs), for example, evaluate the newest and most innovative technologies and determine how these can help their organizations. The chief technology officer often reports to the organization’s chief information officer, manages and plans technical standards, and tends to the daily information technology issues of the firm. (Chief information officers are covered in a separate Handbook statement on top executives.) Because of the rapid pace of technological change, chief technology officers must constantly be on the lookout for developments that could benefit their organizations. Once a useful tool has been identified, the CTO must determine an implementation strategy and sell that strategy to management.
Management information systems (MIS) directors or information technology (IT) directors manage computing resources for their organizations. They often work under the chief information officer and plan and direct the work of subordinate information technology employees. These managers ensure the availability, continuity, and security of data and information technology services in their organizations. In this capacity, they oversee a variety of user services such as an organization’s help desk, which employees can call with questions or problems. MIS directors also may make hardware and software upgrade recommendations based on their experience with an organization’s technology.
Project managers develop requirements, budgets, and schedules for their firms’ information technology projects. They coordinate such projects from development through implementation, working with internal and external clients, vendors, consultants, and computer specialists. These managers are increasingly involved in projects that upgrade the information security of an organization.
Work environment. Computer and information systems managers spend most of their time in offices. Most work at least 40 hours a week and some may have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines or solve unexpected problems. Some computer and information systems managers may experience considerable pressure in meeting technical goals with short deadlines or tight budgets. As networks continue to expand and more work is done remotely, computer and information systems managers have to communicate with and oversee offsite employees using modems, laptops, e-mail, and the Internet.
Like other workers who spend most of their time using computers, computer and information systems managers are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Computer and information systems managers are generally experienced workers who have both technical expertise and an understanding of business and management principles. A strong educational background and experience in a variety of technical fields is needed.
Education and training. A bachelors degree usually is required for management positions, although employers often prefer a graduate degree, especially an MBA with technology as a core component. This degree differs from a traditional MBA in that there is a heavy emphasis on information technology in addition to the standard business curriculum. This preparation is becoming important because more computer and information systems managers are making important technology decisions as well as business decisions for their organizations.
Some universities offer degrees in management information systems. These degrees blend technical subjects with business, accounting, and communications courses. A few computer and information systems managers attain their positions with only an associate or trade school degree, but they must have sufficient experience and must have acquired additional skills on the job. To aid their professional advancement, many managers with an associate degree eventually earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree while working.
Certification and other qualifications. Computer and information systems managers need a broad range of skills. Employers look for managers who have experience with the specific software or technology used on the job, as well as a background in either consulting or business management. The expansion of electronic commerce has elevated the importance of business insight and, consequently, many computer and information systems managers are called on to make important business decisions. Managers need a keen understanding of people, management processes, and customers’ needs.
Advanced technical knowledge is essential for computer and information systems managers, who must understand and guide the work of their subordinates yet also explain the work in nontechnical terms to senior managers and potential customers. Therefore, many computer and information systems managers have worked as a systems analyst, for example, or as a computer support specialist, programmer, or other information technology professional.
Although certification is not necessarily required for most computer and information systems manager positions, there is a wide variety of certifications available that may be helpful in getting a job. These certifications are often product-specific, and are generally administered by software or hardware companies rather than independent organizations.
As computer systems become more closely connected with day-to-day operations of businesses, computer and information systems managers are also expected to be aware of business practices. They must possess strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills because they are required to interact not only with staff members, but also with other people inside and outside their organizations. They must possess team skills to work on group projects and other collaborative efforts. They also must have an understanding of how a business functions, how it earns revenue, and how technology relates to the core competencies of the business. As a result, many firms now prefer to give these positions to people who have spent time outside purely technical fields.
Advancement. Computer and information systems managers may advance to progressively higher leadership positions in the information technology department. A project manager might, for instance, move up to the chief technology officer position and then to chief information officer. On occasion, some may become managers in non-technical areas such as marketing, human resources, or sales because in high technology firms an understanding of technical issues is helpful in those areas.
Computer and information systems managers held about 264,000 jobs in 2006. About 1 in 4 computer managers worked in service-providing industries, mainly in computer systems design and related services. This industry provides services related to the commercial use of computers on a contract basis, including custom computer programming services; computer systems integration design services; computer facilities management services, including computer systems or data-processing facilities support services; and other computer-related services, such as disaster recovery services and software installation. Other large employers include insurance and financial firms, government agencies, and manufacturers.
The increasing use of technology in the workplace is projected to lead to faster than average growth in this occupation. Due to employment increases and because of the high demand for technical workers, prospects should be excellent for qualified job candidates.
Employment change. Employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to grow 16 percent over the 2006-16 decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. New applications of technology in the workplace will continue to drive demand for workers, fueling the need for more managers.
Despite the downturn in the technology sector in the early part of the decade, the outlook for computer and information systems managers remains strong. To remain competitive, firms will continue to install sophisticated computer networks and set up more complex intranets and websites. Keeping a computer network running smoothly is essential to almost every organization.
Because so much business is carried out over computer networks, security will continue to be an important issue for businesses and other organizations. Although software developers continue to improve their products to remove vulnerabilities, attackers are becoming ever more complex in their methods. Organizations need to understand how their systems are vulnerable and how to protect their infrastructure and Internet sites from hackers, viruses, and other attacks. The emergence of security as a key concern for businesses should lead to strong growth for computer managers. Firms will increasingly hire security experts to fill key leadership roles in their information technology departments because the integrity of their computing environments is of utmost importance. As a result, there will be a high demand for managers proficient in computer security issues.
With the explosive growth of electronic commerce and the capacity of the Internet to create new relationships with customers, the role of computer and information systems managers will continue to evolve. Workers who have experience in web applications and Internet technologies will become increasingly vital to their companies.
Opportunities for those who wish to become computer and information systems managers should be closely related to the growth of the occupations they supervise and the industries in which they are found. (See the statements on computer programmers, computer software engineers, computer support specialists and systems administrators, computer systems analysts, and computer scientists and database administrators elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Job prospects. Prospects for qualified computer and information systems managers should be excellent. Fast-paced occupational growth and the limited supply of technical workers will lead to a wealth of opportunities for qualified individuals. While technical workers remain relatively scarce in the United States, the demand for them continues to rise. This situation was exacerbated by the economic downturn in the early 2000s, when many technical professionals lost their jobs. Since then, many workers have chosen to avoid this work since it is perceived to have poor prospects.
Workers with specialized technical knowledge and strong communications skills will have the best prospects. People with management skills and an understanding of business practices and principles will have excellent opportunities, as companies are increasingly looking to technology to drive their revenue.
Projections data from the National Employment Matrix Occupational title
Computer and information systems managers
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.
Earnings for computer and information systems managers vary by specialty and level of responsibility. Median annual earnings of these managers in May 2006 were $101,580. The middle 50 percent earned between $79,240 and $129,250. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer and information systems managers in May 2006 were as follows:
Computer systems design and related services $109,130
Management of companies and enterprises 105,980
Data processing, hosting, and related services 105,200
Insurance carriers 102,180
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 83,280
The Robert Half Technology 2007 Salary Guide lists the following annual salary ranges for various computer and information systems manager positions: Chief Technology Officer (CTO), $101,000-$157,750; Chief Security Officer, $97,500-$141,000; Vice President of Information Technology, $107,500-$157,750; Information Technology Manager, Technical Services Manager, $62,500-$88,250.
In addition, computer and information systems managers, especially those at higher levels, often receive employment-related benefits, such as expense accounts, stock option plans, and bonuses.
For the latest wage information:
The above wage data are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey program, unless otherwise noted. For the latest National, State, and local earnings data, visit the following pages:
Computer and information systems managers
The work of computer and information systems managers is closely related to that of computer programmers, computer software engineers, computer systems analysts, computer scientists and database administrators, and computer support specialists and systems administrators. Computer and information systems managers also have some high-level responsibilities similar to those of top executives.

Virtual Asset Development

KPO Consulting Services

Every established organization has an evolutionary history. Sometimes this history is a good thing, and sometimes it is an impediment to smooth growth. However, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and correcting them are different sides of the coin. Our consultants have served clients in the U.S. , Australia , Japan , and the Middle East to help them see their history in a new perspective and ease the transition from the old process to the new, seamlessly.

We focus on unlocking the value of knowledge, and help you to evolve your enterprise from an age of information scarcity to knowledge management. We can show you that 70-80% of system problems result from the failing paradigm of Information Technology, and that to make the transition, you will need to analyze the values, decisions, and performance that underlie your organization.

Business processes are complex and often the effects of decisions are uncertain (A butterfly flapping in New York causes a typhoon in Sydney.) Knowledge Management requires a paradigm shift towards smart technology that leverages technological innovation with intelligence.

We have found that an outsider can be a candle in the dark. Using tools like the Balanced Scorecardand Theory of Constraints we can transform many dysfunctional and fragmented processes into streamlined integrated business accelerators. We bring some order to the chaos that often has its roots in historical evolution. That’s what we do as consultants.

The focus is not just on getting a right answer, but more importantly, on asking the right questions.

Our consultants will guide you in the realization that people are part of the process. We pride ourselves in fast, smooth integration with your existing personnel and their skill sets.
Software Development Consulting

We can send you a consultant to your site to help you improve your software development productivity and costs. You will have an onsite expert for the following:

1. Software engineering consultation in technologies such as Rational Unified Process (RUP) and Extreme Programming (XP).

2. Software development team productivity optimization.

3. Improving software architecture and accelerating development cycles.
Accounting Consulting

We specialize in the following:

1. Accounting Systems Analysis

2. Accounting Standards Compliance such as IAS, IFRS, and GAAP

3. Policy and Procedures Optimization

4. Knowledge Management and Systems Implementation

5. Streamlining accounting processes, including improved report preparation time

6. Enhanced transparency

For a case study, please see Accounting Firm in our Case Studies page.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation and Customization

ERP software often confronts an organization with the decision to change organizational practices to match the software or customizing the software to meet ingrained processes of the company.

We have experience doing complex international ERP implementations and enhancements of existing systems.

We specialize in the following ERP packages:

* JDE OneWorld
* Sage Accpac ER

By far the most important skills that we bring to your table are expertise, integrity, and respect for the people of your organization. Though perhaps clichéd, it is more true now more than ever before that your people are your major asset.
Meet Our Consultants
Jonathan Corners
Jonathan Corners, MSCE

Jonathan has been in the international knowledge management industry for more than a decade. He is a featured speaker and published expert on offshore knowledge process outsourcing. To read his profile, click here.
Rosemary Whiteley
Rosemary Whiteley, CPA

Rosemary managed her own accounting firm for more than 20 years before joining iCatchIT, where she is our senior accounting advisor. She is best known for application of Knowledge Resources and Information Assets to accounting processes. To read her complete profile, please click here.