About Us
Carruthers Back Office Solutions is a limited company that started trading in early 2008. It is owned by Les and Fiona Carruthers and was set up to supply specific administration skills to small companies in the East Midlands region. Prior to setting up the company, we worked for many years in the telecoms industry until we were made redundant. After a short break we decided to put our knowledge and expertise to practical use. A résumé of our skills and experience is given below.
Les Carruthers
I am a professional software developer with over 25 years experience in all aspects of software design, using a wide range of methodologies and programming languages.
I have spent the past 10 years designing and implementing GUI applications: initially Microsoft Windows-based using VB6; more recently web-based using HTML/JavaScript/CSS and I have designed a wide range of desktop spreadsheet applications using Microsoft Excel/VBA.
My experience and capabilities cover:
- in-depth experience of all aspects of the traditional software design lifecycle - requirements gathering, definition, specification, implementation and testing;
- website design and implementation;
- Microsoft Windows GUI design and implementation;
- design for usability;
- Excel/VBA spreadsheet-based applications - design and construction.
I am a member of The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET - formerly the IEE).
Fiona Carruthers
I am a skilled Technical Author, experienced in all aspects of the role from initial requirements capture and definition through to release of paper manuals, online application support files and web-based publications. I have worked as the manager of a small technical publications department, as a sole author and also as a contract Technical Author.
Along the way I developed a variety of skills:
- defining documentation requirements (synopsis, delivery media, plans, cost, timescales);
- writing user documentation based on technical specifications;
- generating paper-based and online documentation;
- creating context-sensitive Help for software applications;
- designing and creating HTML web pages using CSS;
- implementing and maintaining editorial and quality standards.
I am experienced in using a variety of PC-based tools including: Microsoft Office; Adobe FrameMaker; CorelDraw; Jasc Paint Shop Pro; Adobe Dreamweaver CS3; RoboHELP; Adobe Acrobat Professional; and Microsoft Publisher.
I am a Member of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC).
Toolsets
The main tools we work with are:
- Microsoft Office 2003
- Microsoft Office 2007
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Adobe Dreamweaver CS3
- Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional
- CorelDraw 11