Sylvan Learning Systems
Sylvan Learning Systems, the largest contract educational provider in the United States, contacted ACS Group with the request to design and develop a corporate database system for managing their nationwide at-school division. This division consisted of Sylvan Learning Centers located at over 150 schools throughout the United States. The challenge was to develop a system that can be used by individual sites to manage a wide range of information related to attendance, testing, assessment, scheduling, conferences and district contracts. While at the same time, ACS Group was ask to create a system that can be used by corporate staff and regional managers to efficiently and effectively assess and monitor corporate and contractual goals and objectives.
ACS Group database and application engineers and architects designed a system that included three components: (1) a client front end used by the sites to execute their day to day operational tasks, (2) a web-based communication layer that provided the automation and logic for two-way data transfer, and (3) a SQL Server data repository that served as both a data store for corporate reporting using Crystal Reports and as a source of contractual and dynamic domain data.
ACS Group provides application hosting, development and support, as well as, database administration on this application. From a technical perspective, development of this application involved the use of a variety of software and database methodologies including, ASP, XML, Java, Stored Procedures, VB, third party web components, and n-Tier architecture, including use of Project Management and bug incident tracking software.
Stimson Lane Vineyards and Estates
Stimson Lane Vineyards and Estates the largest wine producer in Washington State has utilized ACS Group as the prime database application contractor for both its corporate and departmental business automation needs. ACS Group has employed the use of Access, VB, SQL Server, and Cognos software in the development and implementation of systems ranging from vineyard employee payroll to product allocation and depletion management.
ACS Group staff working directly with departmental managers and users have designed and developed systems that improve and maximize the efficiency of critical business functions. Stimson Lane’s Communication department has worked with ACS Group consultants to find ways to better manage and use media and acclaim information regarding their extensive list of products. Stimson Lane’s IT department has utilized the expertise of ACS Group database engineers in the design and execution of a data mart used as a repository of information for corporate reporting and data analysis. Most recently, ACS Group has worked with Stimson Lane to extend the use of their information systems to include Sales Force automation and improve their ability to monitor and enhance product placement.
City of Everett Housing Authority
ACS Group was awarded a competitive bid by the City of Everett Housing Authority to provide web design, development, support and consultation regarding the web site properties for this sixty year old government organization. Because of the need to continually update rental unit availability and bid opportunities, ACS Group provides web updates and support for a variety of documents and web pages for the EVHA web site. ACS Group is also working with EVHA staff in the re-design of a new site to replace the exisitng site which will need to incorporate many interactive features for tenants, landlords and housing managers needed to facilitate efficient and use of information related to management of public housing and subsidies in the City of Everett.
Accu-Systems and CATS (Computerized Ad Tracking Systems)
CATS and Accu-Systems (a wholly owned subsidiary of CATS) are nationwide providers of information and data services to retailers and manufacturers in the consumer packaged goods industry. ACS Group has worked with CATS to significantly increase its capacity to collect, process, manage and distribute information to its expanding customer base throughout the U.S. ACS Group began by first converting its legacy system to an easy to use and more efficient Client Server architecture. Consequently, CATS was able to quickly respond to clients’ custom report requests and offer more options for analyzing and viewing product information.
Because CATS’ product is information, the Web began to play an increasingly important role in the delivery of its traditional "brick and mortar" services. ACS Group was able to assist CATS with making a smooth transition to a Web based data services platform using ASP, Crystal Reports, XML and SQL Server. Building upon this platform CATS was able to more easily expand into new market areas as well as offer new services via the Web.
In addition to providing CATS with new and improved services for its customers, ACS Group automation engineers assisted CAT management with streamlining the time consuming process of collecting, categorizing and compiling ad information from print media sources from around the country. ACS designed and developed a system using bar code, scanning and database technologies that have reduced labor costs, increased the accuracy of information, and provided an audit trail for each ad from start to finish.
Norpac Foods
Norpac Foods one of the largest Food Processing and Packaging companies in the Northwest contracted with ACS Group to design and develop a variety of custom database applications used to manage key components of their enterprise. From Crop Tracking to Cost Accounting for its entire product line, Norpac Foods management has relied on ACS Group to provide the critical analytical and development skills needed to create information systems that reduce cost and improve productivity.
With five major plants and over 1,000 employees, Norpac Foods has a variety of information needs that start with the planting of crops to the grading and processing those crops and finally to the accounting of costs in the packaging and delivery of the final product. On the operational side of their business, Norpac uses database application software developed by ACS Group to plan and track upcoming harvests among its large base of cooperative members, as well as, collect and process weight and grade information once the crops are harvested. On the accounting side, Norpac uses a sophisticated database application developed by ACS Group that gathers information from a variety of external and internal sources related to processing and packaging which ultimately provides production costs for their entire product line.
Ben Bridge Jewelers
Ben Bridge Jewelers is a world-class retail jeweler located in Seattle, WA with 65 stores throughout 11 states. ACS Group works closely with corporate IT and departmental staff in the design and development of a variety of information systems that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day operations. From the shipping department to corporate purchasing, ACS Group has used database and internet technologies to develop custom solutions that help users share, process and manage critical business information. With an inventory of over 70,000 products, ACS Group worked with IT staff in the development of an intranet database application that allows users to search and view product information together with product images. For another department, ACS Group was asked to design and develop an application that manages and tracks information on watch repairs and factory warranties.
Nielsen Dillingham Builders
Nielsen Dillingham Builders has completed more than $6 billion in complex and high profile construction projects throughout its combined 150-year history as one of the largest construction companies on the West Coast. Faced with the challenge of construction yard information management and accounting, Nielsen Dillingham contacted ACS Group with the task of designing and developing a system that would handle a variety of functions including delivery tickets, rental equipment, shop stock, scheduling, purchasing and inventory management. ACS Group worked with ND Builders to design a backend data structure that supported their AS400 Project Accounting requirements and the need to capture and archive a variety information on equipment and supplies, including cost, reorder, schedule, and rental information. The system is now in use and tracks all construction project equipment and supply expenditures helping NDB to reduce costs and improve their bottom line.
Western Wireless
Western Wireless Corporation is a leading provider of communications in the Western United States. The company owns and operates wireless cellular phone systems marketed under the Cellular One® national brand name in 19 states west of the Mississippi River. Western Wireless contacted ACS Group with several business application requirements over the past five years. The first was to design and develop an application that can be used in the planning, acquisition, and construction of cell sites. Secondly, we were asked to create a Web based order entry system for one of their POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) Division that would allow them to enter and process orders from their sales force over the Internet. The system was developed using ASP, XML and SQL Server. The web application was built to handle custom orders for the whole gamut of phone services, including cell, Internet, ISP, and paging services.
Qwest Communications
One of the biggest telecommunications companies in the U.S., Qwest Communications (formerly US West) has worked with ACS Group in the development of several critical business systems used at both a departmental and company-wide level. In one instance ACS Group was able to assist on the development of a system used for enterprise-wide tax accounting. ACS Group provided Visual Basic, ActiveX, SQL Server and Cognos development expertise to augment and enhance the skill set of their internal development team. On another project, ACS Group converted a very complex legacy system used for specialized billing into an Access based windows environment. This system is now in daily use to manage the invoicing for a service that cannot be handled by their traditional corporate accounting, however it has been built to allow integration of the billing information into their accounting system via automatic data transfer.
PRA Destination Management
PRA Destination Management based in California contacted ACS Group with the request to update their current database application system that was being used to run its growing chain of franchise Event Management agencies throughout the U.S. In the course of developing the new system, PRA management recognized their current application did not satisfy their current or future business requirements. ACS Group responded by forming a project team that worked closely with PRA management to convert and remold their legacy system into a more functional and feature-rich application that better met their needs. This challenge included implementing the application in a hosted Citrix environment, the addition of full security to allow multiple levels of workgroup access to forms and reports, easy to use one form access to all related functions, and integrated contact and lead management system. The system is now in use to manage all aspects of the complex process of planning, scheduling, and administering corporate meetings and special events ranging from 5 to 15,000 participants.
Key Bank Corporation
Key Bank one of the leading lending and financial institutions in the U. S. contacted ACS Group via its Northwest Regional offices to assist with the design and development of an application used to help corporate staff identify and track potential cases of bank fraud. ACS Group responded by forming a development team to assist business savvy corporate staff without technical or database experience on the design of system that met their requirements and specifications. Through the use of prototypes and mockup screens and reports, ACS Group developers moved the users’ specifications from the drawing board to an interactive application that could be put to use in the actual business environment. The purpose of the system was to replace a largely manual process that involved spreadsheets and paper forms. As the system evolved, users found they could replace many of their existing manual reports, as well as, eliminate some of their business processes with the use of business rule automation designed as part of the application. Information on the forms and reports provided more accurate and time sensitive data that resulted in greater efficiencies and improved job productivity.
King County Archives and Record Management
ACS Group was awarded a competitive bid to design and develop a custom database application to manage and track public records for the most populous County in Washington State. When the Director of Archives contacted ACS Group regarding the need to develop a system for managing their archive records, the information currently being collected and stored existed in four separate databases. ACS Group engineered a single database structure that contained all of the elements and entities needed to handle both the transfer of legacy data from the disparate databases as well as incorporating changes required as part of the specifications for the new system.
One of the requirements for the new system was the creation of a data retrieval system for archival records based on the use of a thesaurus. The use of a thesaurus in archival searches is based on hierarchical relationships between key words and various data groupings and categories. Representing hierarchical relationships in a relational database is never easy, however ACS Group developers through the use of tree views constructed an interface that provided a hierarchical window into the data for searching and retrieving information. The new database system incorporating both old and new improved access to data and increased staff’s ability to respond to questions regarding the County’s public records.
Cenex Harvest States
Cenex Harvest States (CHS) markets and supplies propane and petroleum products that heat homes and businesses throughout the State of Washington. CHS contracted with ACS Group to provide a variety of cost effective information management solutions for critical business functions. From managing fuel depots to the timely delivery of fuel to rural customers, the sale of petroleum products requires accurate and reliable tracking of inventory, distribution and sales information in order to insure an efficient, profitable operation. ACS Group designed and developed a set of applications that helped CHS expand its operation to more locations and more customers. In order to accurately determine the cost of their propane, ACS Group developed a system using Microsoft Access that gives CHS the option of using either FIFO or average cost methods to assess cost of inventory.
As CHS’ customer base has grown, the task of keeping track of a large inventory of above ground tanks rented and purchased by customers became a critical business requirement. ACS Group developed an application that transformed a “one size fits all” spreadsheet to a fully functional database system used to track and report on many aspects of tank placement and inventory.
Training, certification and inspection of tanks, employees and vehicles also play a critical role in achieving a healthy bottom line. ACS Group developers designed and developed a database application that provided alerts and reports to managers when employees needed re-training, vehicles needed inspected and tanks that were due for re-certification. This system also contained a module developed by ACS Group that tracked the true cost of a vehicle mile, as well as, triggers and reports for routinely scheduled maintenance.
Medisystems
A market leader in their industry, Medisystems Corporation designs, manufactures, imports and distributes medical devices, primarily for use in dialysis and related blood treatments. Medisystems has engaged the services of ACS Group for the purpose of the development of a corporate reporting system. Since Medisystems is structured as a multinational corporation with locations in Mexico, Italy, and the Far East, providing all of the required reporting for production, sales, inventory, forecasting and bookings within the existing accounting system went beyond the software’s capabilities. ACS Group database engineers and developers were brought in to quickly evaluate and develop a system based on several sources including data extracts from a Pick based accounting software that could be used to meet their reporting requirements.
Currently underway, ACS Group personnel are working closely with Medisystem’s IT, accounting and management staff to create a system that is both flexible and powerful enough to handle the demands of both front line and corporate users in multiple locations. Medisystems selected ACS Group because of its extensive experience with developing corporate reporting systems using a “best of breed” approach. Medisystems began by using Access while planning for a potential migration to SQL Server using other software tools such as Crystal and Cognos.
City of Arlington
Arlington is a growing municipality located between two forks of the Stillaguamish River in one of the fast growing counties in the United States. This growth fueled to a large extent by an increased demand for available housing and city support services has also required the need for information systems that can manage the rising tide of information. Starting in the Building Department, ACS Group database engineers worked with management and staff to replace an aging Permit Tracking System with a redesigned client server application using SQL Server and MS Access. The Building Official for the City of Arlington wanted a system that could tie into other parts of city government such as Planning and Finance, as well as, include all key elements of the permitting process.
ACS Group assisted with the design and development of a system that included the permit application, contractor information, fees and charges, payments, as well as inspections and valuations. After the Permitting system is operational, the next phase is to extent the system to city database servers where the use and application of the data can have a wider audience beyond the Building Department.
