Intrac was retained to work with a small electronics manufacturer / distributor in the western Pennsylvania area. This was a takeover situation that left the company with inventory levels that were high (and possibly unreliable), an old MAPICS (an old version ERP system), employees who were frustrated by the lack of information, also frustration that reporting was not targeted for their industry, little to no customization capability and very little time to react to the takeover needs. Intrac arrived on January 1, 2002.

We evaluated the current system and we designed a minimum of custom reports and report changes to facilitate immediate needs for accounting, sales and manufacturing. We then interviewed employees for a "wants" and "needs" list. We then assembled a system requirements sheet and started to evaluate hardware and software solutions. We organized a Mission Critical Team of the management staff. We then narrowed the list of potential solution providers down to 3. We then arranged for our client to visit several of the selected providers existing clients. Then presented the findings to our clients and they made their final selections of the software solutions. This process was conducted from January 1, 2002 through May 1, 2002. Once this stage was completed we then proceeded with stage 2 - the implementation!

We wrote the specifications for the hardware, negotiated the price, delivery and terms. Intrac then supervised the hardware vendors during the installation of the hardware.

At that time we scheduled the training of the employees and preplanned the conversion of the active data from the AS400 to the new SQL Server environment. The data (over 85% of all active data files) were selected, cleaned and converted. We carefully worked with client staff to create an environment of cooperation. We tested our conversion and practiced our Go-Live (cutoff date procedures) The final Go-Live date was scheduled for Monday morning July 29, 2002.

On the Friday prior to Go-Live we cutoff final shipments for the AS400 system at 4:00pm. We then proceeded to convert for the final time. During that weekend we converted, balanced and verified the system readiness. We completed all tasks by Saturday at 4:00pm. On Monday morning we started the day on a new system!

Since that date we have been continuing to implement new procedures and additional services. Intrac has set up the server so that authorized individuals (employees and support principals) can connect to the server through the web from remote sites. There has been some customization and we are planning to complete the last phase of this project by July 2003. This will encompass the addition of Web Portals for distributors and reps, as well as a hosted web site linked into the SQL Server.

This installation was completed in record time and on-time. Intrac guided the company through the mine fields saving time and money.

TOP OF PAGE