Squid Consultancy Group is a UK-based IT and business consultancy offering practical, reliable solutions. We help companies improve their operations through custom software, mobile apps, websites, and cloud systems. Our services also include IT advice, graphic design, business planning, UK tax support, cyber security, and artificial intelligence tools. Everything we do is built to be secure, easy to use, and designed to save you time and money in the long run. We work with businesses of all sizes, from startups to large organisations.

We have worked with clients across many sectors. In education, we have built HR and student management systems. In healthcare, we have created secure patient record systems and hospital management tools. Retail businesses use our online shops and stock control software. We have also supported finance companies with secure payment systems, logistics firms with delivery tracking, and charities with donor management platforms. No matter your industry, we take time to understand how your business works and build solutions that fit.

Starting is straightforward. First, go to our Contact page and fill in the form or email us. We will arrange a free initial call (usually 30–60 minutes) to discuss your business, your goals, and any problems you want to solve. After that, we send you a clear proposal with costs, timelines, and what will be delivered at each stage. You approve the plan before any work begins. We keep you updated weekly and welcome your feedback throughout. Once the project is finished, we provide training and support to make sure everything works as expected.

Yes, we build mobile apps for both iPhone and Android. We use modern tools like Flutter, which means one version of the app works on both platforms — saving you time and cost. The process starts with understanding what the app needs to do. We then design the screens, write the code, test it on real devices, and submit it to the App Store and Google Play. After launch, we can update the app when needed and fix any issues quickly. All apps are secure and designed to work even without internet access when required.

We use trusted, up-to-date tools to build reliable systems. For websites and web apps, we use React, Vue, and Node.js. For backend systems, we use Python with Django or Flask. Databases include PostgreSQL and MongoDB. Mobile apps are built with Flutter or native code when needed. Cloud hosting is done on AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. Design work uses Figma and Adobe tools. All code follows security best practices, and we only use technologies that are well supported and widely used in industry.

We offer a full range of software to help your business run better:

• Custom software — built just for your needs (e.g. booking systems, invoicing tools)
• Websites — fast, secure, and mobile-friendly
• Online shops — with payment and delivery integration
• Mobile apps — for customers or staff
• Cloud systems — to store and access data safely
• AI tools — to predict sales, automate tasks, or analyse data

We also provide IT advice, design services, and business plans. All solutions are tested thoroughly and come with training.

Custom software is built from scratch to do exactly what you need. The process includes:

1. Discovery — We meet to understand your business and goals.
2. Planning — We write a detailed specification and timeline.
3. Design — We create wireframes and show you how it will look.
4. Development — Our team writes clean, secure code.
5. Testing — We check everything works on different devices and browsers.
6. Launch — We install the software and train your team.
7. Support — We fix issues and make updates as needed.

You own the software completely, and we provide all source code.

Quality is built into every step:

• We follow official web standards (W3C) so sites work in all browsers.
• Code is reviewed by a second developer before use.
• We test on phones, tablets, and computers.
• Security checks prevent hacking and data leaks.
• Speed tests ensure pages load in under 3 seconds.
• Accessibility checks help users with disabilities.
• We get your approval at each stage before moving forward.

Final testing includes real users to confirm everything is clear and easy to use.

Timelines depend on features, but here are typical examples:

App Type	Time
Simple (e.g. brochure app)	2–3 months
Medium (e.g. booking system)	4–6 months
Complex (e.g. full e-commerce)	6–9 months

We provide a full schedule at the start and update you weekly.

Yes — integration is one of our strengths. We connect new software to tools you already use, such as:

• Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks (accounting)
• Shopify, WooCommerce (e-commerce)
• Microsoft Office 365 or Google Workspace
• CRM systems like HubSpot or Salesforce
• Payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal)

We use secure APIs and test every connection. Data moves automatically and accurately between systems.

Our IT consulting helps you make the best use of technology. We:

• Review your current systems and find weaknesses
• Recommend upgrades or replacements
• Plan how IT can support your business goals
• Help choose and install new software
• Train your team to use tools properly
• Provide ongoing advice and support

We give clear reports with costs, benefits, and risks so you can make informed decisions.

Digital transformation means using modern tools to improve how your business works. We help by:

1. Looking at your current processes
2. Finding tasks that can be automated
3. Moving paper-based work online
4. Setting up cloud storage and remote access
5. Training staff on new systems
6. Measuring results (e.g. time saved, costs reduced)

We manage the change carefully to avoid disruption.

Yes. After a project finishes, we offer:

• Helpdesk — phone/email support during UK business hours
• Maintenance — regular updates and bug fixes
• Monitoring — we watch systems and fix problems early
• Training — refreshers for new staff
• Upgrades — adding new features as your business grows

Support contracts are flexible — monthly or annual.

We create professional visuals for print and digital use:

• Company logos and full branding
• Business cards, letterheads, brochures
• Social media images and banners
• Website graphics and icons
• App interface design (UI/UX)
• Marketing posters and flyers

All designs are original and delivered in print-ready and web formats.

Project	Time
Logo	1–2 weeks
Full branding	4–6 weeks
Social media pack	2–4 weeks

You get drafts to review and can request changes.

We use industry-standard software:

• Adobe Photoshop — photo editing
• Adobe Illustrator — logos and vectors
• Adobe InDesign — brochures and reports
• Figma — app and web design

All files are provided in editable formats so you can make changes later.

A complete business plan includes:

• Executive summary
• Market research and competitor analysis
• Financial forecasts (3–5 years)
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Operations and staffing plan
• Risk assessment

The plan is written in clear English and formatted for banks, investors, or visa applications.

We help new businesses create plans that win funding. We research your market, define your customers, and build realistic financial models. The plan explains your idea clearly and shows how you will make money. We also help with pitch decks for investor meetings. Many of our plans have been used successfully for UK visa applications.

Plan Type	Price
Basic (market + finances)	From £999
Full investor plan	£2,000 – £5,000

We quote after your initial consultation.

We help with all common UK tax needs:

• VAT registration and quarterly returns
• Corporation tax filings
• Self-assessment for directors
• Payroll and PAYE
• R&D tax credit claims
• HMRC enquiries and audits

We make sure you pay the correct amount — no more, no less.

We handle everything:

1. Register your business for VAT if needed
2. Calculate VAT on sales and purchases
3. Submit returns to HMRC on time
4. Check for errors before submission
5. Advise on flat rate or standard scheme
6. Connect to your accounting software

You avoid penalties and reclaim VAT correctly.

Common errors include:

• Missing filing deadlines
• Using wrong VAT rates
• Forgetting allowable expenses
• Poor record keeping
• Not claiming R&D relief

We review your accounts regularly to prevent these issues.

We protect your business with:

• Security audits and vulnerability scans
• Firewalls and antivirus setup
• Staff training on phishing and passwords
• Encrypted backups
• 24/7 monitoring and alerts
• GDPR compliance checks

We stop problems before they cause damage.

If a breach occurs, we:

1. Isolate affected systems immediately
2. Assess what data was accessed
3. Notify you and regulators if required
4. Fix the security gap
5. Restore from secure backups
6. Review and improve defences

We aim to restore normal operation within hours.

A single breach can cost thousands in fines, lost business, and damaged reputation. Good security:

• Protects customer data
• Avoids GDPR penalties (up to £17.5m)
• Prevents ransomware demands
• Maintains trust with clients
• Ensures business continues during attacks

It is now a legal and ethical requirement.

We help you use cloud technology safely:

• Cloud storage (files, backups)
• Cloud software (email, accounting)
• Cloud servers (instead of physical ones)
• Remote access for staff
• Security and compliance

We use AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud — whichever fits best.

We move your data and systems to the cloud in stages:

1. Review current setup
2. Plan what moves and when
3. Transfer data securely
4. Test everything works
5. Train your team
6. Switch over with minimal downtime

Most migrations finish over a weekend.

Cloud saves money and improves flexibility:

• No need to buy expensive servers
• Pay only for what you use
• Access files from anywhere
• Automatic backups
• Easy to scale up or down
• Updates happen automatically

It is now standard for modern businesses.

We build practical AI tools:

• Predicting sales or stock needs
• Automating repetitive tasks
• Chatbots for customer support
• Analysing data to find patterns
• Improving search on your website

All tools are secure and follow UK data laws.

We follow a clear process:

1. Understand your business problem
2. Collect and clean your data
3. Build and test the AI model
4. Connect it to your systems
5. Train your team to use it
6. Monitor and improve over time

You see results within weeks.

AI helps many sectors:

• Retail — predict best-selling items
• Healthcare — spot patterns in patient data
• Finance — detect fraud
• Manufacturing — predict machine failures
• Logistics — optimise delivery routes

We adapt AI to your specific needs.