About Us
Hi, I'm Stuart Whitman founder and owner of Collate I.T, a Newcastle upon Tyne website design and software development company. I specialize in creating websites and online stores for growing businesses.
History
I began my career in 1988 at the tender age of 16 as a Production Controller for a large continuous stationary print company - Ken Stokes. After 9 years working in various roles I left to become a Pick programmer / Software Developer for Sanderson Computers.
From 1997 onwards I implemented, managed and developed ERP software for a wide range of print companies across the U.K.
In 2001 I relocated to Newcastle upon Tyne and the great North East after being offered a job as lead developer for Dataform Print Management for whom I'd just completed a large and complex backoffice system. For the next 4 years I developed and customised Dataforms' I.T systems to keep up with business acquisitions and rapid growth.
In 2005 I took the plunge and founded Collate I.T. I'm the Managing Director of Collate I.T. and live in Gateshead.
Design Philosophy
My style is informed by the fact that I learned by creating real websites for real businesses. I am practical in my approach, preferring what is dependable and well-implemented to what is flashy and cool. I am guided by the principles of usability and accessibility: I believe websites should work as well as look pretty. I am an advocate for utility and simplicity, however, I believe that every useful thing can also be beautiful.
Business Philosophy
I believe it is my responsibility to help my clients understand their options and get the best solution for their needs—even if that sometimes means referring them to someone more suited to their project or recommending a less expensive solution than they had originally planned for.
During the past years Collate I.T has been working for a variety of companies from startups through to multi-national Plc's. The overiding reason I do this is because I know what computers and the Internet can do for you, and with my help you can utilise technology to grow and develop so that your business succeeds online.
