1. The salesperson has a prospect with interest in their product or service.
2. A technician reviews the client requirements and prepares an estimate, which is then handed off for for review and final pricing.
3. The quote is handed back to the salesperson.
4. The customer decides to buy, and the salesperson takes the order by writing it down.
5. The salesperson then hands the order off to the order entry department.
6. Order entry keys in the order and hands it off to the production department.
7. The production department keys the order into their system for scheduling product or service delivery.
8. In many cases, a purchase order needs to be placed by purchasing.
9. The item is received.
10. Accounting gets an invoice for the items ordered, and hands it off for approval.
11. The approved invoice is handed back to accounting to be keyed in.
12. The order is shipped, or services provided, and now is handed off to accounting.
13. Accounting prepares an invoice and hands it off for review.
14. The invoice is reviewed and handed back to accounting to be finalized.

Does any of this sound familiar?  So many handoffs it sounds like one of those desperation clock-running-out plays in a football game.

The best solution is a fully integrated software system, a system in which everyone is using the same data, and nothing is being re-keyed.

The problem for most businesses is that if such an integrated system even exists, it is often too expensive, or at least appears too expensive.  Or, they have invested so much time, energy and money in their current systems they are reluctant to change.

In those cases, we can often help streamline processes with middleware. Middleware is software that sits in the middle of two other software applications, to allow those applications to share data.  This eliminates duplicate data entry. Middleware software may also be used as a "front end" to streamline data entry, or sometimes at the back end of process, to replace inefficient data entry into spreadsheets.

Some examples of middleware we have created:

• A system to read multiple page Excel spreadsheets and import each line of the spreadsheet as a new order.
• Taking a text file from a CAD program and updating order entry, automatically uploading data from inventory in an accounting system to a web site.
• Automatic uploading of order shipment status to a web site, so that customers can check the status of their orders directly.
• Daily updates of orders from multiple sites directly into an accounting system.
• Creation of a job number based on login and date.
• Time entry applications that update billing and payroll.

All of these middleware applications are now saving businesses countless hours per year.

Give us a call at 630-379-0330 to find out how your business could benefit from a middleware application tailored to your needs.

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