Database Development for Hinders
"We wanted the familiarity of our old system coupled with the capabilities of the latest technology to improve our business. Check-Tek provided us with a solution that was easy to use, time and money saving and with all the support we need to move forward" Hinders
Hinders, Europe’s largest supplier of fish bait, equipment and particles needed to update their database system to cope efficiently with the increasing sales from their mail order catalogue. Check-Tek was called in and helped reel in even more customers for Hinders through a tailor made IT solution providing a database system linked to Parcelforce.
Hinders supply fishermen throughout the country via their catalogue which brings in a large amount of mail order business for their products. They had a database that provided some information on sales and customers but they had found it was not coping with the increased sales generated by their annual catalogue.
Less disruption
Check-Tek was asked to update and improve the database but at the same time keep it as similar to the old one as possible – Hinders had used their database for many years and knew their way around the system so the less disruption, the better.
Check-Tek visited Hinders to establish their requirements and to advise them on new features and functions available from various database systems that could improve their business. Hinders also wanted to connect their data to a parcel delivery system that produced labels and sent data to Parcelforce. The database had to act as an incoming telesales system as well as an ordering and invoicing system.
Final version
Check-Tek produced a detailed specification and discussed this with Hinders before beginning to write the software – the simplicity of the system would be maintained whilst being flexible enough to handle any future developments.
Using Microsoft Access, Check-Tek wrote the database and produced a first ‘draft’ for Hinders to test. Hinders were able to give input on the look and feel of the software before a final version was implemented. The new system provided Hinders with greater access to their data and more information on customers, which they could use for marketing activities such as targeted mailshots.
Expanding the business
Check-Tek put the system in place quickly and provided all the necessary training. Check-Tek also spoke directly to Parcelforce to establish the link between Hinders system and theirs and tested files with them to ensure everything worked smoothly. The link to Parcelforce saved Hinders time and money, as customer data only had to be input once and then bar-coding was used to store information and for tracking purposes.
Hinders were delighted with their new upgraded system which gave them opportunities to incorporate future developments, much greater efficiency and better access to data for marketing and expanding the business.
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We wanted the familiarity of our old system coupled with the capabilities of the latest technology to improve our business. Check-Tek provided us with a solution that was easy to use, time and money saving and with all the support we need to move forward.
Hinders
