Practical Computer Applications (PCApps)

ASI, an agronomic services company, aimed to enhance customer data management by transitioning from MS Access to a more efficient platform. Our objective was to design and develop a custom Smart Client solution for ASI, preserving their investment in MS Access while improving collaboration, management visibility, customer interaction, and workflow efficiency.Project Details:Prototype Design and Development:Identified ASI’s need to preserve unique MS Access functions.Conducted detailed conversations to understand business needs.Designed and developed a custom Smart Client solution.Technology Stack:Utilized SQL Server and .NET Smart Client technology.Integrated SSRS for robust reporting capabilities.Key Benefits:Offline Anywhere access to vital information.Enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing across seven office locations.Increased customer satisfaction through improved interaction. Results:Improved Collaboration: Real-time accessibility of customer recommendations and crop production strategies empowered agronomists to share best practices and knowledge. Scouting records facilitated coverage and reference for team members.Enhanced Workflow Efficiency: The Smart Client solution streamlined work order creation from the field, reducing transition time from scout identification. The process now takes minutes instead of days, improving workflow efficiency.Performance Monitoring: Work order reports enabled daily productivity monitoring and comparison to previous years, providing insights and benchmarks for evaluating team performance.The ASI solution improved collaboration, workflow efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Transitioning to the Smart Client solution drove business growth and competitiveness.

Overview:Freeman is the premier provider of integrated corporate marketing events, handling over 15,000 annually. We were tasked by Freeman’s Finance Department to design and develop a custom database warehouse solution. Our objective was to support financial analysis and planning for corporate event managers by improving data accessibility and streamlining the planning process.Project Details:Tailored a database warehouse for Freeman’s Finance Department.Developed a scalable solution to handle the large volume of data from 15,000 corporate events.Implemented appropriate data models for ad hoc financial analysis and planning.Integrated the warehouse with Freeman’s existing financial systems.Ensured seamless data flow and synchronization.Enabled real-time updates and retrieval of financial data.Developed user-friendly interfaces and tools in the warehouse.Empowered event managers to access and analyze relevant financial data.Provided capabilities for generating reports, visualizing data, and conducting scenario planning.Results:The custom database warehouse significantly enhanced financial analysis and planning capabilities for event managers at Freeman:Managers can easily access accurate and up-to-date financial data, eliminating manual gathering and consolidation.User-friendly interfaces enable ad hoc financial analysis.Managers can generate reports, visualize data, and make data-driven decisions.Supports scenario planning, allowing evaluation of financial scenarios.Enables better resource allocation, cost optimization, and improved financial planning.With this solution, Freeman’s Finance Department empowers event managers with the necessary tools for successful financial analysis and event planning. The solution improves data accessibility, enhances ad hoc analysis capabilities, and streamlines the planning process, resulting in effective financial management and decision-making.

Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Founded 16 years after the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, the University has grown to more than 18,000 degree candidates, including undergraduates and students in 10 principal academic units.We designed and developed a custom Alumni management application to track alumni event registration.

Harvard University Press hired PCApps to design and develop a custom cost-accounting solution. The objective was to improve accounting efficiency and accuracy by tracking costs, calculating unit costs, and integrating with Central AP’s application. PCApps successfully developed a job costing database, recommended a suitable development platform, and enabled integration with Central AP’s application.The job costing database tracks costs at the title level, calculates unit costs, and allows for future reprints using average costing. PCApps also considered data migration from the existing unsupported database solution.Based on Harvard University Press’ requirements, PCApps provided recommendations for the development platform. They took into account the unique needs of finance and production stakeholders to ensure a suitable choice.Integration with Central AP’s application was implemented, allowing invoice information from the job costing database to be seamlessly transferred for accounts payable purposes.The results of the project are significant. Harvard University Press now has an efficient solution to track book production costs, calculate unit costs accurately, and use average costing for future reprints. The recommended development platform ensures optimal performance, and the integration with Central AP’s application streamlines invoicing and enhances accounting accuracy. This cost-accounting solution has greatly improved efficiency and accuracy in Harvard University Press’ accounting operations while maintaining confidentiality.