# Beacon Support Services Ltd > A Small Family UK Business ## Posts - [Sourcing Quality Gifts Amid Rising Costs and Poor Customer Service](https://bsslimited.com/sourcing-quality-gifts-amid-rising-costs-and-poor-customer-service/): As a small business in the gift industry, finding high-quality products at reasonable prices has become increasingly challenging. The cost of living crisis has led customers to expect lower price points for gifts, particularly for peripheral celebrations like wedding anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. This, in turn, has put additional pressure on […] - [Careful when Playing with AI](https://bsslimited.com/careful-when-playing-with-ai/): None of the following is true, it’s convincing, but untrue. Filed under ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer! The Great Storm of 1673 in the UK Introduction The Great Storm of 1673 is one of the most devastating natural disasters ever to hit London. The storm struck on November 23rd, causing severe damage […] - [Updating MySQL Windows Server to new release version.](https://bsslimited.com/updating-mysql-windows-server-new-release-version/): I spent a lot of time researching how to upgrade our MySQL windows server from version 5.5 to 5.7 there are indeed many resources spouting the best way to achieve it. The biggest problem with this type of upgrade is the fact that the underlying system tables can (and do ) vary between the different […] - [Top 7 hidden costs of using Franking Machines](https://bsslimited.com/top-7-hidden-costs-using-franking-machines/): We’ve used a franking machine for the past 8 years and whilst it has suited us some of the time there are some wild claims out there especially from some suppliers who claim it is cheaper than using stamps. Once you add in all the hidden charges it is, in our experience, often more expensive […] - [The Scout Report -- Volume 19, Number 17](https://bsslimited.com/the-scout-report-volume-19-number-17/): The Scout Report April 26, 2013 — Volume 19, Number 17 A Publication of Internet Scout Computer Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison   Research and Education Documenting the American South: Colonial and State Records of North Carolina Impact: Earth! PSU Case Studies National Science Foundation: Publications Cornell University Cooperative Extension Urban Institute: CHA Families and […] - [Moving to a responsive web design](https://bsslimited.com/moving-responsive-web-design/): We’ve been looking for a while now at a content management system (CMS) that would suit our needs, alas to no avail. Some have come close however there always seems to something that would stop us. As we couldn’t find one we’ve decided to hand code our site in the same manner that our original […] - [Incorrect Franked Mail refunds from Royal Mail - their latest wheeze!](https://bsslimited.com/incorrect-franked-mail-refunds-from-royal-mail-their-latest-wheeze/): Using a franking machine you occassionally make a mistake on the franking label, either in value or it smudges or prints poorly. To make life easy for the Royal Mail they have a scheme where-by you can send these in and they will refund you the value less an amount for their admin of the […] - [Cookie Law aka The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2011](https://bsslimited.com/cookie-law-aka-the-privacy-and-electronic-communications-regulations-2011/): As a small business involved in ecommerce and online marketing I’ve spent a lot of time looking into the cookie law to understand what we need to do to successfully comply with the law and, unfortunately,  there is no clear answer, only case law will make it more manageable to understand, what is or is […] - [Classic ASP and SQL Server 2008](https://bsslimited.com/classic-asp-and-sql-server-2008/): I’ve spent a fair bit of time trying to get an ecommerce package written in classic ASP to run well using a network connection to a SQL Server 2008 Express edition. These are my findings which may help someone. Don’t settle for the standard connection string you used to use. The ADO connection string provided […] - [SEO and VPASP Ecommerce Software Ask a Question Page](https://bsslimited.com/seo-vpasp-ecommerce-software-ask-a-question-page/): We continue to tinker with the VPASP Ecommerce engine, the latest issue we looked at related to the SEO capabilites and was highlighted by, in my humble opinion, the very good SEO Module you can get as a free add on for IIS. As an aside I discovered the module will SEO analyise any web […] - [BT Connect Hosting - poor help files but good email service](https://bsslimited.com/bt-connect-hosting-poor-help-files-but-good-email-service/): I’ve been meaning to update our free domain we use to talk about anniversary gifts that we get from BT for a while now and I just managed to do it with a bit of hassle. We’ve upgraded our broadband a couple of times since we put the original site live and could not access […] - [Adding VPASP ecommerce store to Facebook](https://bsslimited.com/adding-vpasp-ecommerce-store-to-facebook/): We’ve been using VPASP ecommerce software for a number of years, it is open source and uses active server pages (asp) as its software language, this language is very mature and hence knowledge is widely available. With the emergence of social media and Facebook becoming the dominant social media channel we were looking at how […] - [Database Driven Web Solutions](https://bsslimited.com/database-driven-web-solutions/): There are many ways of delivering content for your web pages, with a database back end solution it is possible to ensure your web pages are dynamic, interactive and deliver up to date information at a lower cost than having to update static pages. Using a database can significantly reduce costs for your web presence […] - [Web Services](https://bsslimited.com/web-services/): There is much hype surrounding web services at its basic level it is merely opening up the internet as a sales channel using your existing business infrastructure. If delivered properly then the resulting increase in sales will more than cover the initial costs for setting up the services If you would like to discuss your […] - [What is Contextual Content Delivery?](https://bsslimited.com/what-is-contextual-content-delivery/): It is the process of delivering relevant content to potential customers to encourage them to visit your web site and convert to a client. Why? People visiting search engines are generally looking for something, if you can delivery their needs efficiently then they are more likely to convert into a customer which delivers a higher […] - [OK who knew this!](https://bsslimited.com/ok-who-knew-this/): Apparently DoubleEscaping means ”+” go figure! %windir%system32inetsrvappcmd set config “Web Site” -section:system.webServer/security/requestfiltering -allowDoubleEscaping:true On an IIS7 server your URL cannot have a plus sign in it otherwise you”ll get a 404 error. Unless you get the detailed custom error you”ll spend pleanty of time wondering why although the page is there the web site dosen”t […] ## Pages - [BSS Limited Blogs](https://bsslimited.com/bss-limited-blogs/) - [Disclaimer](https://bsslimited.com/disclaimer/) - [Privacy Statement (UK)](https://bsslimited.com/privacy-statement-uk/) - [Cookie Policy (UK)](https://bsslimited.com/cookie-policy-uk/) - [Beacon Support Services](https://bsslimited.com/): Welcome to Beacon Support Services Ltd web site. We specialise in e-Commerce web site implementation. We were established in 1999 and registered our first domains around the same time, since then we have gone from strength to strength. Why, because we love what we do, simple really. We’re a Beacon in that we guide our […] - [Privacy Policy](https://bsslimited.com/privacy-policy-2/): Who we are Our website address is: http://www.bsslimited.com. What personal data we collect and why we collect it Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymised string created from […] - [Contact Us](https://bsslimited.com/contact-us/) - [Independent Implementation and Support of Call Logging Solutions](https://bsslimited.com/dealerboard-front-office-support-services/independent-implementation-support-call-logging-solutions/): Call Logging and Auditing Call Logging and Call management can provide a crucial tool in helping your business reduce costs and optimise your infrastructure to leverage maximum benefit. Our experience however shows that few businesses utilise Call Loggers in a beneficial manner. So what can our optimisation services deliver; Check the Call Logger reporting is […] - [Beacon Support Services Ltd](https://bsslimited.com/beacon-support-services-ltd/): Beacon Support Services Ltd (BSS) offers a complete management consultancy service from strategic planning and solution definition through to project management and implementation. The Company has an established track record assisting companies in the areas of banking, financial services and the utilities. BSS offers a range of services especially tailored to cover all aspects of […] - [Voice Recording Solutions; Voice Recording for the Financial Sector](https://bsslimited.com/dealerboard-front-office-support-services/voice-recording-solutions-voice-recording-financial-sector/): Voice Recording Solutions Voice recording for the trading environment has become the standard form of resolving disputes and clarifying trades made in the market place for a number of years now. Rules regarding Voice Recording are constantly changing with the Data Protection Act, Regulatory Investigatory Powers Act and various Financial Services Authority acts and best […] - [Project Management](https://bsslimited.com/project-management-services-high-technology-industries/): Project Services Our consultants are all PRINCE 2 certified and work to high standards. We can deliver results quickly and efficiently either by following your own best practice methodology employed or using our own defined process. As IT is a product intensive sector our consultants are skilled in get the best from the numerous 3rd […] - [Front Office Implementations](https://bsslimited.com/dealerboard-front-office-support-services/front-office-implementations/): Our expertise lies in integrating, installing and commissioning information & communication technology (ICT) for real-time or mission critical systems. With a background of providing services to the wholesale finance community we are aware of the implications that a failure during installation or delay in use of the product can deliver. Useful links to suppliers, manufacturers […] - [Front Office Consultancy](https://bsslimited.com/dealerboard-front-office-support-services/front-office-consultancy/): Our Consultants are experienced in Front Office systems and solutions and have provided assistance to a wide range of Trading Floor issues covering Market Data, Voice and Video. Front Office systems and infrastructure are converging from the traditional voice trading system and separate data solutions to a single infrastructure supporting both voice and data. This […] - [Dealerboard Consultancy](https://bsslimited.com/dealerboard-front-office-support-services/dealerboard-consultancy/): We have helped many Financial Institutions both large and small or Treasury departments of large businesses review and select an appropriate solution to their Voice Trading needs. If you are looking at a technology refresh or need to get more out of your existing system then our experienced consultants can assist you in selecting an […] - [About us](https://bsslimited.com/about-2/): Welcome to the Beacon Support Services Ltd Beacon Support Services are a consulting firm specialising in new media systems and solutions. We can help your company to achieve effective and consistent results via the internet. From an initial free consultation we can help develop your brand look and feel on your internet site and help […] - [Dealerboard & Front Office](https://bsslimited.com/dealerboard-front-office-support-services/): Dealerboard and Front Office Support Services offered Provision or management of : · Dedicated on-site support of Trading System. · Dedicated on-site support of Nortel/Avaya PABXs. · Dedicated system management personnel to manage trading system requests. (i.e. speed dials, console configuration, line access etc.) · Dedicated Voice Recording expert to deal with playback requests and maintain […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)