BrainScan Software Services

Tools We Use

BrainScan Software provides consulting and contract programming services for your Internet, Macintosh and Multimedia needs. Brian Fries, owner and operator, has been a professional software developer since 1984, and has been running BrainScan Software since 1996.

We build web sites, software applications, multimedia productions and more. We use a three step process in our project development:

Needs and Wishes Analysis
In this step, we evaluate the goals and desires of the client, with a keen focus on how the client's customer base will react and interact with the project. Careful consideration is given to both the front end (customer interface) and back end (administrative interface), ensuring that customers can quickly and efficiently get what they desire, and that clients can seamlessly incorporate their projects into their daily routines. Items that are essential to the success of the project are distinguished from items that may be considered for future project enhancements, to allow for focus on the most essential aspects of the project and control over the project budget.

Structural Design
BrainScan Software comes is rooted in a technical background, and therefore approaches project design first and foremost from a data structure and integrity standpoint. Database design and the interrelationships between information components are core to building a project that will stand the test of time and be flexible to the inevitable changes in the environment surrounding a project. As time goes by, people and organizations shift focus and a quality information structure can adapt swiftly to those shifts.

Interface Design
During the preceding project development stages, a preliminary concept of the user interface is utilized, with the understanding that the interface needs will change as the project progresses. As the structural design nears completion, the look and feel of the project is fully evaluated and final layouts, graphics, animations, audio and other desired elements are identified and designed. BrainScan Software always strives for separation between the structural and interface components of a project, allowing revisions in one to be made independently of the other.

How can we serve you?

We can work with you to help you to achieve your goals. Whether it is end-to-end project design and development, enhancements or fixes to existing projects, or sub-contracting for portions of a larger project, BrainScan Software excels and working with you and with other creative professionals to ensure that your project is presented in its best possible light.

Geography is not an issue... while we are located in Northern California and work with a number of local clents, we have also worked with clients and partners ranging from Australia to New Hampshire to Austria.

Production areas where we have direct experience include...

Web Site Design, Development and Hosting
Specializing in owner-manageable dynamic content web sites, web development projects BrainScan Software has worked on have ranged from artist pages to large ecommerce sites to complex inventory management systems. We run our own web server for some sites we develop, and also work on sites hosted by others. See our Gallery page for some examples.

Software Development
With extensive experience and education in computer science, we perform MacOS X software development services. Projects we have worked on include applications, system extensions and plug-in modules for QuickTime, RealAudio and Quark XPress, and we are experienced in C, Objective-C and C++ programming, including Cocoa and Carbon application development for MacOS X, as well as numerous other development environments since 1979.

Flash Production and ActionScript Development
BrainScan Software has used Flash to animate logos, web site introductions and user interface elements, including integration between Flash and server-based database content.

Director Production and Lingo Development
Director projects have included product demonstrations, business training games, and sales presentation tools, both CD-based and distributed via Shockwave.

DVD Production
Video editing, slide shows, audio tracks, menu interfaces all come together in DVD projects, utilizing Apple's state of the art production tools.

Database Design and Development
Utilizing FileMaker Pro and WebDNA, database design and development are key components of many BrainScan Software projects..

AppleScript Development and Integration
AppleScript is a powerful tool for integrating multiple applications into an automated or semi-automated work flow. Through integration of custom AppleScript programs, greater efficiency and accuracy can be achieved for many repetitive tasks.

Graphic Design
BrainScan Software has extensive experience in graphic design and the creative arts, and applies these skills to all of its projects to create visual designs that attract, entice and, most importantly, function with efficiency for the user.