Values
Our Values – Your Values
Our Values
As committed Quakers, we hold certain values as very important; as conscientious human beings, our experiences have taught us others. We believe that honesty and openness are integral in life, and similarly in business. As such we make example prices available, and make sure that you understand why your quote varies from these—all our quotes include a breakdown of charges, and the reasons for each charge are stated up-front.
We believe in the fundamental equality of all people, so we won't increase our charge for a given service, or reduce our commitment to quality, for any customers. We also believe, however, that there are endeavours that deserve support, especially those for public benefit. As such, we offer a discounted rate to registered charities and other good causes, as discussed in our terms and conditions.
To keep our conscience, we are afraid we must decline to work with groups promoting the military or supporting military action, or those who's primary purpose involves promoting gambling. We may also opt not to work with organisations otherwise connected to the military, the arms trade, other issues of conscience, but we will consider these on a case-by-basis; please get in touch and we will happily discuss any particular case.
We have learned others as guiding principles in our design, analysis and programming work. Firstly, we always make sure we have an agreed specification from our client before development begins; this might seem to make more work for you, but it ensures that everyone is clear as to what is required, and in our experience saves work and stress on all sides. If you do not have a suitable specification prepared, we will consult you and produce a specification to your requirements; this will be free in most cases, but a consultancy charge will be made to produce specifications for large, complex systems. All specifications will be written in language you can understand, and no charge will ever be made for clarifications. Once we take on a job, we commit to producing a final product that meets the specification.
When quoting for a job, we will include a realistic timing for when the product will be delivered, including any relevant interim points, such as design prototypes for approval. If we fail to meet these timings, discounts (as specified in the quote) will apply. If we have failed to meet the specification, we will remedy the situation and won't consider the job finished until we have done so, or come to an agreement with you about a discount. All of our hosted products include future support, although significant alterations will incur charges.
We're also aware of the importance of ensuring accessibility of websites and other products, and any website we produce will always include basic accessibility features, including validation of HTML, the use of principally semantic markup and appropriate 'alt' text for images. We're also happy to work to higher accessibility standards in particular cases, including enhanced support for particular groups of users, such as low-resolution displays or blind users.
Your Values
With all of the matters important to us, we also understand that everyone has different concerns and things that are important to them. When you become our client, whatever is important to you is also important to us in our dealings with you. From our first contact with you, through the process of specifying your requirements, and throughout the process of producing your product, we will listen to your wishes and do our best to accommodate them. If we can't support something you would like, or if your wishes will lead to additional costs, we'll let you know right away.
From the use of recycled products in communications and open-source software deployments to supporting local businesses in purchasing and subcontracting or making sure a website is accessible to users with disabilities, we can take a wide range of concerns into consideration, and most cases will make little or no difference to the price we charge you.