Benefits

• Automated order receipt process eliminates duplicate data entry
• Processing time reduced, boosting employee productivity and morale
• Relationships with existing clients improve

Challenge

A manufacturer of industrial signs, including rail car decals, relied on a manual process for taking orders for, as well as producing, the signs.

The manufacturer wanted an automated, custom-developed eCommerce application, accessed via the Internet, that would: enable it to receive orders and produce rail car decals for its clients; provide management reporting; and automate invoicing.

Stratagem's Solution

Stratagem used its Web development and project management methodologies to define, develop, and implement the Web-based application.

Stratagem used an iterative design approach to give the client full partnership in the process. Throughout the phases of development, Stratagem’s prototyping method demonstrated the features of the application. The client reviewed deliverables at the end of each phase and gave immediate feedback, which could be incorporated into the next iteration of development.

Stratagem managed the development activities remotely from its office, with occasional interaction and validation at the client’s location. As part of this solution, Stratagem implemented the application in conformance with a third-party Internet Service Provider (ISP).

One unique feature of Stratagem’s solution was integration of the Web-enabled ordering process with Gerber Scientific’s Graphix Advantage software. This integration succeeded in rendering the geometries required to create the decals automatically. Stratagem also built an automated application to handle very complex client pricing issues.

Result

The implementation of a Web-based application produced significant internal and external benefits.

Now able to offer a Web-enabled solution, the client bid on and won a high-volume rail decal contract — something its competitors could not match.

Internally, the client realized higher productivity and employee morale. In the past, employees would have been required to work overtime to process such large orders manually. But the new automated solution reduced the time needed to process large orders from hours to just minutes.