Mustang CAT is the southeast Texas authorized sales, parts and service dealer for Caterpillar construction equipment and engines. Carl Fromén, International Sales, required a heavy-duty database to handle all quotes, sales orders, inventory purchase worksheets, invoices, and customer bills of sale. Even though he was looking for a new cost-efficient solution to his overly used and outdated Excel spreadsheet database, he knew the value of a good return on investment. Carl turned to MightyData to handle the database overhaul and transformation.

Technology

First order of business was to create a smart comprehensive database system that would replace the company’s current mix of Excel and Word documents. The newly designed database automatically tracks customer information, generates instant quotes, tracks product inventory, keeps detailed records of purchase sales… all in one, seamless, user-friendly format. Because the database was so well received by Carl and the rest of Mustang CAT, they wanted to take the initial transformation further by adding more technology enhancements than originally planned.

I was so pleased with the ease and efficient nature of the new database created by MightyData that we wanted even more bells and whistles, Carl explains.

One of the first bells was to merge multiple PDFs into a single quotation PDF. Then, to match required sales order formatting, display only 4-line items per page with the necessary header and footer totals on each page. Our mighty team utilized various methods and techniques to meet line item specifics.

Transformation

The speed of data entry has dramatically improved not to mention the increased flexibility to enter an infinite amount of data.

Most of all, we’ve reduced the number of errors based on duplicate entry among different forms, like sales orders and invoices, says Carl.

“In the end, MightyData was able to take our extensive knowledge of advanced methods and techniques and utilize them to provide a cost-effective solution that brought value to the sales process of Mustang CAT.”

That’s heavy-duty lifting, indeed.

If you have a product you want to display, you turn to this gem of a designer. From corrugated to permanent, Diamond Display creates them all, big and small. Because of its high volume of business and fast-paced working environment, Diamond Display needed to streamline data entry, project management, and scheduling. It had been using several limited applications including Basecamp, Excel and Word to capture data. Tina Sweat, owner of Diamond Display, had enough and wanted more efficiency fast, so she looked to MightyData to provide an effective FileMaker solution.

Technology

MightyData went a step further and delivered a two-part solution to help make Tina’s and her team’s job a whole lot easier, not-to-mention faster. MightyData utilized the brilliance of FileMaker to create a fully customized project management and scheduling system. In less than 6 months, the two-part system was up and running. From customer information and project details to timelines and tasks, the newly built database could handle it all. “This advanced technology keeps our projects centralized, secure, and easily accessible by authorized team members,” says Tina Sweat.

No more time-consuming manual work…that’s refreshing when we have to create schedules on the fly.

Transformation

With a more streamlined, all-encompassing data capturing system, Diamond Display can focus on its customers without being bogged down by all the minutia and logistics that can get in the way of the brilliant work it does.

MightyData understood our business needs and most definitely exceeded my expectations.

“In our line of work, it was quite a display of brilliance, indeed,” remarks Tina Sweat.

No doubt our diamond in the rough.

There’s one unifying word to describe the dedicated, detail-focused meeting planners from Achieva International. Buttoned-up. The only problem was that they were getting all tied up in the logistics of their currently flawed FileMaker system, which was causing unnecessary overhead. They needed a more efficient, fully-integrated system to manage all of the complex details that comes with meeting and event planning.

“FileMaker told us there were better ways to manage our data,” says Shannon Hopkins, Vice President and Managing Partner. “That’s why we turned to MightyData, so we could focus on our business without wasting time making structural and logistical changes.”

Technology

Without hesitation, it was time to remove much of the manual work being done by the Achieva team members and build a system that could virtually multi-task on its own, handling multiple differing scenarios. What’s more, MightyData was able to connect their Web registration with FileMaker so that less data entry was required. The newly implemented web-based solution allows instant access from any location here and abroad. Achieva now reaps the flexibility implemented on all levels of data entry, reporting, Web connectivity, and accessibility.

Transformation

“The interface is clean, the functionality is all there, and the reporting is more robust than ever before, plus it requires little overhead,” notes Shannon. In the end, we transformed Achieva’s focus from the time-consuming logistics of running a business to spending time growing the business and providing excellent customer service, knowing that MightyData is always there to support them.

That’s going beyond meeting expectations.

Sunbelt Power Controls is a leading manufacturer of custom electrical motor controls for industrial-sized sump pumps that you would find in metropolitan high rises, office buildings, and parking garages. It’s no small wonder that their product SKU catalog features hundreds of different options and sizes. So when a customer calls for a specific price quote, there’s no time to spare, or you jeopardize the sale.

Giving price quotes is the single most important process I perform in my company, said Rich Kreekon, Sunbelt’s owner.

“It’s the beginning of our business. If it’s not done properly, it can cost us an order, loss of money on an order, or even the greater loss of a good customer.” Sunbelt was ready to pump up the power of its pricing system through intuitive technology that would bring significant returns.

Technology

A transformation was not only in order for Sunbelt and its sustainable business, but also its outdated data management and pricing process. You see, in the old days, Rich used an Excel spreadsheet to help him build price quotes. Plus, he was the only person in the company able to generate an accurate quote. The process was long, tedious, and very inflexible. Just the macros alone became cumbersome and time consuming and the burden was being felt company wide. “My customers either fax or call us with their specific requests, and generally expect a complete response within 24 hours or less. Many customers want a price while I’m still talking to them on the phone. Since these controls cost thousands of dollars, a small mistake can be very expensive,” Rich explains.

All that has changed since MightyData designed a FileMaker database to handle Sunbelt’s quotation process. FileMaker Pro is a relational database application designed to help manage and share information in the real world. It’s a fast and easy software system for creating databases that are completely cross-platform on Macintosh and Windows.

Transformation

The new pricing system is fast, simple, and easy to use. But here’s the kicker: anyone at Sunbelt can quickly generate quotes from this powerful database—all you need is 15 minutes of training. “With my new FileMaker Pro quotation program, I’m able to construct quotations almost as fast as the customer can talk,” Rich attests.

With a few exceptions, I can email the quote to the customer as we’re exchanging goodbyes.

“It has greatly relieved my stress factor in the workplace,” Rich further explains. “It has cut down on errors, and created an environment where we’re able to and want to produce quotations as quickly as possible.” Since Sunbelt began using the FileMaker quotation system, Rich reports that Sunbelt’s response time to a customer’s quote request has increased by 100 percent, and accuracy has improved from 80 percent to more than 95 percent.

Now that’s how you pump up the power, not the paperwork.

As America’s shopping destination for discovering great styles at compelling prices, JCPenney expects nothing short of being the top retailer and standout employer in the U.S. To uphold quality standards, the senior management team mandated that every JCPenney employee have a personal profile going into the company’s annual management review meeting. This two-page comprehensive profile documents an employee’s performance, areas for improvement and growth, job training needs, salary history, and advancement assessment. With more than 500 employees, this was no small feat.

The Marketing and Communications departments had recently merged, and each department was handling its personnel profiles with a different system. In addition, there was an environment clash between Mac and PC users. It was clearly time for us to step in and establish a new personnel record that everyone could be proud of and rally behind.

The Technology

How do you produce a flawless 1000-page personnel directory and have it ready in time for the annual management meeting? Simple. You create an incredibly intuitive database that can automate tasks system-wide. MightyData designed a FileMaker database that enabled Human Resources to easily input, update, send or print employee data whenever necessary.

Mac and PC users were both able to utilize this new database. Plus we embedded coding to ensure safe and secure access for authorized users only. What’s more, we developed a few additional FileMaker applications including employee absence and appraisal programs that allowed swift online data entry and modifications.

The Transformation

In the end, the transformation was simply remarkable. All employee records were ready on time, and a complete book of personal profiles was sent to senior management for their approval.

We’re actually looking forward to doing the book next year…the process was so smooth, says Rosemary.

“We were recently told that we needed to ship our Personnel Profile records to our Salt Lake City office by the end of the quarter. Now that we have all the employee information in our database, we’re no longer nervous about sending these files.” A tremendous amount of time was saved. It’s no wonder that Rosemary and the fine folks at JCPenney were impressed.

Compared to our labor-intensive struggles in the past, it’s like night and day!

For us, it’s not only an example of how we can turn your heavy lifting information requirements into light work, but also the ability to create new personnel records for your business.

How do you monitor and keep track of over 1,800 Special Education students as they move from one grade to another? Well, for many years, manual log sheets were the answer to help Clovis teachers keep tabs on each student that moves through a school system of more than 8,000 students – grades K through 12. Now add a staff of over 90 Special Education teachers who offer programs ranging from preschool services to enriched learning, and you have the potential for a major educator logjam. A macro software program was needed for the Special Education department—specifically designed to allow teachers quick and easy access to every student’s educational record, with the ability to share information in one, simple click.

Technology

Armed with many special education opportunities, MightyData was asked to harness the power of the Web to help take the Special Education department to the next level – centralized documentation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each student that is easily accessible to all teachers wherever they may be on or off campus. Utilizing our ideology of technology to transform, we developed a web-based IEP system that allows instant access to each individual report, and all its associated documentation, consolidated within one software program, and customizable to user preference. To top it off, the system is password-secured and SSL encrypted to ensure confidentiality.

Transformation

Since it is on the Web, our Special Education staff can access IEPs from anywhere and can even work at home if they must, , notes Assistive Technologist Susan Riden,

Moving and sharing detailed information securely throughout the system has never been easier. Clovis teachers no longer have to deal with big bulky folders for each student and then have to ensure that those documents are transferred correctly from point A to point B as the student moves through the system. “Our solution allows us to move a student’s records from one teacher to another or from one ancillary person to another with just a click,” Susan explains.

“The information is stored on a central server – not on an individual computer – and it not only allows the Special Education Director to look at the information without having to pull files, it also allows individual staff members to share information.” A MySQL database, containing approximately 90,000 individual records, combines to make the system work.

As Clovis Special Education students move forward, so will their education thanks to MightyData.

Good teachers are our most valuable commodities. Unfortunately, for the Roswell Independent School District, Special Education teachers have been getting lost in the paper trail—taking up much of their precious time that could be spent teaching. Nearly a third of over 9,000 students participate in Special Education or Gifted programs. From elementary through high school, this education system was primed and ready for a big-time online capabilities upgrade.

Each student has a state-mandated Individual Education Plan (IEP) on file specifying the appropriate Special Ed courses to take in the program. Keeping these files current can be a very time-consuming obligation—not to mention the possibility of these file folders accidently getting lost in the shuffle.

Technology

“We were looking for a more efficient way of handling this information, and considered developing a system of our own—but we didn’t want to reinvent the wheel,” explains Barbara Norfor, Roswell’s School District Coordinator for Special Services. Word was spreading like wildfire that another area school district had developed a Web-based IEP system. And all trails led to MightyData. Kirk Bowman, Visionary of Value, introduced Roswell to a single online database with cross-platform capabilities that could house thousands of student IEP records, be easily accessible, and mobile for teachers and school administrators throughout the school district.

Transformation

More than 110 Special Education teachers were quickly singing the praises of the new IEP documentation system. “Teachers at home can pull up their class lists and review and update IEPs without having to handle paper documents,” adds Barbara, “and they can do this work anywhere at any time that’s convenient for them.” Both PC and Mac users were united under the simple cross-platform capabilities that allowed unrestrictive use of program features, without any doubt or user frustration that potentially follows complicated technology.

The system really cuts down on paperwork, and I can see where by next year we’ll have eliminated a lot of the paper simply because we can do all this on the computer, exclaims Barbara.

There’s an old saying that goes—”the job’s not over ’til the paperwork’s done”—well it couldn’t be truer for the teachers of the Roswell School District. Until now. As they begin to see the end of the paper trial.

As the leading AppleScript training firm, TECSoft knows a thing or two about the power of FileMaker: One, this technology transformer would support an e-commerce application, allowing online registration and payment for AppleScript training. And two, when it comes to designing and implementing FileMaker applications, MightyData is the perfect choice to get the job done.

John Thorson, President and Founder of TECSoft in Amagansett, New York, first met MightyData’s Kirk Bowman when the latter took TECSoft’s AppleScript training classes. At the time, Kirk was seeking complementary technologies to improve his skill set and round out MightyData’s service offerings. “Kirk’s seriousness and professionalism at the time sparked a desire to work with him,” says John. “Since then, we have collaborated on numerous FileMaker Pro development projects.” It was the beginning of a perfectly scripted collaboration.

The Technology

AppleScript is a Macintosh software automation technology that allows users to write a single script that can automatically control multiple applications on a Mac. The software works especially well with FileMaker Pro to automate publishing information, as well as HTML for the Internet.

First, MightyData developed the back-end FileMaker Pro databases. Then it designed and created the CGI scripts, a go-between that communicates with the browser interface (front-end) and the FileMaker Pro database (back-end). Now TECSoft’s website, which replaced telephone registration for the AppleScript classes, allows round-the-clock registration with instant email notification.

The Transformation

Since TECSoft sells training coast to coast and in England, the site provides a 24/7, time zone independent opportunity to register—making the company virtual. What’s more, the interface enables TECSoft to administer its databases remotely over the Internet. To date, the new website reconfiguration has increased registration dramatically, and John couldn’t be more satisfied.

I was amazed that this fairly complex procedure was flawlessly executed on the very first pass, notes John.

“Kirk certainly was in command of the situation, putting in long hours to get everything working perfectly. His proficiency in three different skill sets—database development, CGI scripting and interface design—brought an advantage to the table that resulted in an exemplary job.”

At MightyData, we couldn’t script it any better than that, thanks to this powerhouse collaboration.

The technology boom made a mighty impact on the way we communicate, share, and disseminate information. This impact can be summed up in two words—the Internet. For Independence Public Schools, it was time to replace the district’s outdated and restrictive FoxPro system with a more efficient and flexible Web-based application that could bring more freedom and flexibility to the process of coordinating children’s resource services between the city, state, and local agencies.

“There was an obvious duplication of services and paperwork across the 14 school campuses, city, and state agencies,” explains Debbie Marlowe, Associate Superintendent of Special Services for Independence Public Schools. “We also saw poor dissemination of information about the services, not to mention shrinking dollars and high turnover of personnel, who had little continuity of knowledge.”

Information was collected into a specified format rather than a database, necessitating hours of manual changes whenever the State of Missouri revised its administrative requirements. While each campus and agency had different eligibility documentation and criteria, it turned out they were all asking for basically the same information. The district then decided to create a single document that met the needs of all agencies and could quickly communicate information back and forth.

Technology

MightyData developed a Web-based system that offered tremendous flexibility when combined with a database. This new system was developed in two parts: a back-end that consisted of a database housing all the data and managing all procedures; and HTML pages that utilized a Web server. The low-cost solution allowed existing hardware to be used and because it was web-based, training was easy. The site posted two critical documents on each student, which were kept on a uniform platform. In addition to offering easy modification, the site allows several levels of secure access by all agencies involved.

The first document, the Diagnostic Summary, pulls together all the evaluative information on how a student diagnosis was made or not made by a committee overseeing Special Education enrollment. The second document, called the Collaborative Support Plan (CSP), serves as an Individual Education Plan (IEP), detailing the specific services that will be provided for the student once admitted. It also tracks his progress across teachers, case coordinators, and other school administrators. The unique factor here is how many different people contribute data to a primary document.

Transformation

What MightyData created is a system that is exceptionally flexible for us and certainly up-to-the-minute because all campuses can access our site with a Web browser, says Debbie.

“It is quite simple to change data, and to do administrative tasks in no time.” Not only did Debbie enthusiastically endorse the system’s versatility and easy Internet access to her peers nationwide, but she also presented the new system to education experts in Washington, DC, and Denver, as well as the State of Missouri.

Since then, MightyData has been called upon to help the Independence School District train its staff and other area districts that implement the system in the future. This will undoubtedly help other school districts better serve their special education students and families. “What was once a horror for me,” recounts Debbie, “is now a simple matter with the FileMaker-based system that MightyData shaped for us.”

It has dramatically improved the quality of service and communication we can provide students, and at a reduced cost to our taxpayers.

For Independence, that’s the freedom of flexibility that comes with technology to transform.