Bespoke Software Development

Case Study
A few years ago we completed a 12 month bespoke software development project for one of our customers. GLM Unifit of Wolverhampton. The system is central to the day-to-day running of their business and handles Sales, Purchase, Invoicing and Stock Control. GLM specialise in supplying new domestic appliances and parts to the trade. Their stock ranges from washing machines, vacuum cleaners, right down to single washers and bags. At last, I have found a great source of spares for my vacuum at home! In total, GLM handle thousands of products from major manufacturers.

We first started working with GLM over 8 years ago. At that time the company was using a DOS based system to keep track of the business. We maintained the system for a number of years. More recently it became clear that a new system was required to keep pace not only with changes in technology (introduction of Windows) but to handle changes occurring within their industry. Supplies were interested in sending out stock updates via the internet.

Although a number of 'off the shelf' products exist, to deal with sale, purchase and stock control, nothing was really suitable for GLM. The main problem was that the major supplies all have different systems and methods of handling their product range. Our bespoke system collects all these various formats and then presents it in a single unified manner to the staff.

The bespoke system is fully networked. From any terminal the staff can quickly find any parts or its equivalent and while on the phone to the customer can make recommendations as to delivery and availability. The program is totally intuitive and the staff have picked it up very quickly. Very often, you hear reports of new database systems almost bringing a company to its knees. This has not been the case with GLM. While developing the product, we liaised regularly with the Managing Director and Works Manager to ensure they were getting e4xdactly what they required. To switch over from the old system to the new system was done over a weekend without any significant problems.

GLM was very used to the old system, which they had used for many years, and were naturally concerned at the start of the project that they would lose no functionality or ease of use with the new system. Their fears were unfounded. We had assured them that there would be some differences due to the fact that the old system was based on DOS whereas the new system would be based on Windows. In essence, it would be like moving from driving on the left of the road to the right. After only a few months of using the new system, all the staff were fully comfortable with the new product. If you asked them today how it compares, they cannot even remember what the old was like!