1: e-business case study: A to Z Executive

A to Z Executive, Chauffeur Services (http://www.atozexec.com)

A to Z Executive is a top-end chauffeur service for corporate and private clients based in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The company has ambitious plans for growth but its ability to expand was being limited by an ineffective IT system that had been put in place a year previously. In particular, its existing on-line booking system was inflexible and inadequate for the tasks required by the business. Clients were not using it, and those that tried, complained. As a consequence too much time was being spent on the phones managing the bookings, both with clients and with drivers, and the company was concerned about losing clients. As A to Z Executive had built its reputation on being both discreet and reliable, the company needed a fast remedy, but could not afford to make another mistake with its IT system.

Creotec has built its reputation on delivering fast, robust and effective IT solutions. We were brought in by the management of A to Z Executive to deliver an integrated system that 'works for the business as a whole' - for clients, drivers and management alike. Our rigorous consultative approach identified how each user group could best utilise the system to improve its effectiveness and user experience.

We created and delivered a bespoke web-based business management application which included the following; a client facing website with on-line booking/payment management features, a trip planner for drivers, and a booking administration back-office (with management reports, invoicing, driver management, driver alerts via SMS, off-line booking, etc.) for the office.

The 'look and feel' of the public website was overhauled to reflect a fresher, more professional and high-end personality. The system we delivered made it easier and more secure for clients (often secretaries) to book on-line and inform their clients of bookings; we made it easier for A to Z Executive to schedule drivers and inform them of bookings made; and we provided management with easy access to all the necessary reports required to manage the business more effectively.

The system was designed, built and delivered within 4 weeks. Whereas previously only 20% of new clients came from the web, that figure has now risen to 60% with the advent of the new system. 80% of bookings are now taken on-line and efficiency of the operation has risen dramatically. Plans are already in place to develop the system further to deliver additional efficiencies for the business.

2: e-business case study: FJF Financial Solutions

FJF Financial Solutions (http://www.fjffinancialsolutions.com/)

FJF Financial Solutions is a highly successful UK-wide organisation that offers financial solutions to individuals and companies who are experiencing financial difficulties or cash flow problems. It is a company in a hurry with ambitious plans to expand overseas into markets as diverse as Holland and Pakistan. The company recognised that the ability to do this was dependent on putting in place a more effective way of managing their clients and prospective clients; they needed a CRM system. Time was tight, so an off-the-shelf package seemed to be the simplest solution. It quickly proved to be inflexible, unsuitable for their fast-growing business and not sufficiently robust - they realised that they required a system designed for their specific business needs and they needed it quickly.

Creotec has built its reputation on delivering fast, robust and business-enhancing IT solutions. We quickly and rigorously defined FJF Project's requirements. We recognised that security was paramount, that the system needed to support multiple users, each group with their own specific requirements; it needed to have a multi-currency capability and the flexibility to be re-branded under different trading names for the different geographic markets.

We designed the system as a web application using Web2.0 technology to make life as easy as possible for the users. Each account manager has their own bespoke home page ensuring the new system becomes an integral part of their way of working. The system was successfully launched in January 2008, with trainers trained to ensure fast adoption of the new system, only 2.5 months after Creotec had been called in.

Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive and the management of clients and prospective clients has improved dramatically. The system allows account managers to manage multiple cases under one name, calculate expenditure for each case and flags outstanding payments. It has a query-builder that enables different prospect groups to be targeted, for example prospects in specific geographic areas. In addition, the system is proving to be a vital tool for senior managers running the company as it allows the monitoring of account manager and consultant performance against target. Adoption has been universal.

We built the system to accommodate future plans, and phase 2 is already underway.

3: e-business case study: The Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers

The Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers (http://www.alae.org/)

The Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers was founded in 1990 to establish the professional status of its members and to regulate relations between members of the Association and their employers. The Association's website plays an increasingly important role in achieving both these objectives. The old site however was not up to the task. It was difficult to update and not able to cope with the evolving demands and requirements of the Association. As a result, members were simply not using it, and the management of the Association was costly and inefficient. The Association turned to Creotec.

We were quickly able to understand the issues facing the Association and establish their requirements for the new website. We recommended using a content managed system, enabling easy and regular updating of information and handing back management control to the Association. The site had to be completely re-designed to better reflect the professional status of the Association. A key feature of the new website is the on-line store that enables members to easily purchase their log books and individual work pages. The log is an authenticated record of the member's work record and vital to their career progression. There are a number of additional features that help to encourage improved use of the site by members such as forums for members, including secure areas for employers and members to discuss issues confidentially. Individual profiles, news bulletins, questionnaires, photo-galleries all help to encourage regular visits to the site by members. The site was completed in 3 weeks, including the migration (and validation) of members from the old to the new system.

The new website has been an unqualified success. The Association now has over 7000 members and is still growing geographically, its log book is now the de-facto logo book worldwide and 80% of new members register on-line. The new site allows for a far more efficient management of the Association in terms of subscriptions and orders, and Creotec continues to host and support the site.

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