Brand // E-FoodStorage.com
The food storage market has suffered due to inefficient and wasteful practices. Boring and irksome data entry and tedious counting of inventory have kept the practice of food storage from becoming wide spread. ODSI was able to fulfill the need for an efficient simple, database program for food storage management that presented an easy scan-in and scan-out method of inventory management based on barcode scanning technology. E-FoodStorage is the only program that uses barcode technology to alleviate the pains and frustration of manually entering SKU numbers or product names by hand. ODSI has captured over 240,000 SKU numbers for the client's convenience. E-FoodStorage helps track and monitor food storage inventory. It also assists in setting food storage goals and creating consumption analysis, and inventory reports. One of the keys to the convenience of E-FoodStorage is being able to run the daily functions of the program from a smart phone application. It is fast, quick and portable, making the process of daily food storage management more feasible and consistent.
Client // US Bankcorp
US Bank Community Development Corporation, with assets exceeding $6 billion, actively invests in 940 properties and loans throughout the country that consist of affordable housing development, new market projects, and historical renovations. Known as the experts in the Tax Credit arena and as one of the largest New Markets Tax Credit investors in the nation, USB CDC helps fortify cities’ urban core and revitalize their local economies. US Bank Community Development Corporation is a subsidiary of US Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States and of US Bancorp, which holds assets of over $281 billion. US Bank hired On Demand Software to stabilize their system and improve its performance to allow for division expansion and seamless scaling beyond 15 to 20 users without affecting performance.
On Demand Software met all of US Bank’s needs by creating a web-based application founded upon MS SQL server and component architecture. On Demand Software also spent the time to understand US Bank’s financial and accounting needs. By doing so, the system was modified to ensure the required security and accuracy to perform necessary financial functions to allow CDC to report to the general ledger system of US Bank, which is the system that all subsidiaries of US Bank must report their income and expenses to so that all financial statements can be incorporated into a cohesive whole.
At the beginning of the project, US Bank Community Development Corporation (CDC) only managed an approximate $900 million portfolio. The Microsoft Access application they had in place managed their day-to-day business activities, and helped to manage their investment process from seeing future investments, to closing the deal, and beyond to managing the property. At the time, USB CDC had only 10 users on their system, but the application was already failing them to the point where users had to wait 30 to 60 minutes to perform certain tasks. Also, US Bank IT was struggling to support the application because of the excessive resource requirements. The system was consistently crashing two to four times daily due to various issues.
On Demand Software converted the large Microsoft Access Application over to a SQL server web application, thereby removing the speed restrictions, FAT application slowdowns, network congestions, and resource limitations. By converting the application over to a COM+ web based application, On Demand Software allowed US Bank to scale from 10 users to the approximate 175 users they have today, and also gave them the opportunity to scale their capacity with ease.
Before On Demand Software resolved the problems, US Bank also had to perform the grueling tasks of balancing their General Ledger accounts with spreadsheets and paper statements because the accuracy of the database was uncertain. As a secondary objective, On Demand Software was asked to add integrity to the system to empower CDC to perform financial calculations such as Effective Yield schedules among others, thereby allowing accurate reports to be distributed directly to the General Ledger accounting system without user intervention.
On Demand Software met all of these objectives by developing an exclusively web-based application founded upon MS SQL server and component architecture. By taking the time to understand US Bank’s financial and accounting needs On Demand Software was able to increase the stability, accuracy, and financial functions of their system allowing for increased speed, efficiency, and usage, as well as adding additional components that enabled US Bank CDC to integrate with the main servers and financial management programs of US Bank.
Client // Cascade Centers Inc.
A privately owned external EAP provider, Cascade Centers provides services for local, regional, and national companies and organizations; maintaining a nationwide network of over 6000 service providers. A member of the exclusive EAP Collaborative, and the only member in the Northwest, Cascade Centers works to be on the cutting edge of EAP technology. They strive to provide excellent, personalized service to their clientele—both companies and individual employees alike. They asked On Demand Software to update their core operations application that manages their day to day operations.
Solutions Provided:
- Application Conversion (Microsoft Access -> Web Application)
- Provider Advantage Solution
By replacing their Microsoft Access Database application with a customized web-based application, Cascade Centers turned their outdated office technology into a cutting-edge, customizable, EAP technological solution. On Demand Software’s enhanced database applications allow for flexibility and customization for client tracking and reporting by providing built-in quality assurance protocol, thereby enabling administration, providers, and clients to input and download important information directly to or from case files or reports within seconds. Because it is easily accessible, each EAP participant has 24hour access to a custom report engine that is available anytime it is needed without having to wade through unwanted bureaucracy or red tape, showing their program effectiveness. Now equipped with tools from ODSI that will do the laborious, time-consuming tasks for them, Cascade Centers is better able to focus on what they do best—meeting the needs of their diverse, ever-growing clientele in a partnership to assist employees.
Before contracting with On Demand Software (ODSI), Cascade Centers main office had been using a Microsoft Access Database application that was designed internally. It allowed for 1-2 concurrent users at a time, because of slowness of the application. With an internal main office staff of 10-15 people, Cascade Centers needed a database application that would allow for multiple-user access, without loss of speed. Additionally, Cascade Centers needed additional database flexibility to allow for individual client reporting and customized report generation. In response, ODSI created a web-based application able to scale easily to meet the demand of 1000’s of users and provided further needed customization.
With ODSI’s web-based application in place, all Cascade Centers employees in the main and satellite offices—more than 50 people--are able to concurrently use the system. Additionally, Cascade providers and clients can access the system at any time as well. Due to the versatility of the new system, administrators, providers, and clientele alike are able to use it with increased ease and productivity.
Enhancements to the database also simplify client file recording for providers. Instead of keeping client notes in separate or multiple locations, counselors have the ability to add progress notes directly to the client file online without having to have them transcribed. Intake information can be recorded directly in the database, and file attachments of any kind can be linked with a client or case file.
For clients, Cascade Centers has always provided Premium Reporting services. With ODSI’s web-based application, those services now incorporate the flexibility for clients to run their own customizable reports, including reports with pre- and post-GAF numbers, single company reports, and batch reports--something that was previously done by Cascade’s staff, consuming server hours of employees time.
The Provider Advantage portal allows the referral and data collection processes to be performed electronically. On Demand Software also incorporated a built-in Provider Rules outline, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the submitted information. Additionally, the system allows Cascade center employees to manage provider users, the referral extension process, and allows them to follow-up with providers who have referrals that do not have a 1st appointment. The system also allows cascade to batch submitted cases together into a pay batch that can forecast out total payments that will be due to providers and assist Cascade in managing cash flow. The solution provided by On Demand Software has freed up approximately 60+ hours a month of Cascade employees time which was previously dedicated to the tasks now accomplished independently by the Provider Advantage portal.
In addition to the application conversion solution, On Demand Software also helped Cascade Centers solve problems they were having with collecting data from their providers. Cascade Centers asked On Demand Software to help them manage and streamline the data collection process for their network of over 6000 providers.
Before the Provider Advantage portal was implemented, providers would receive a referral sheet through the mail that they would in turn fill out and return to Cascade in order to receive payment. When Cascade received the referral form from the provider, they would have to key the visit sessions into their system by hand. This hardcopy process sustained a pattern of frequent human errors, informational discrepancies, and therefore required that each form pass a quality assurance inspection performed by a Cascade employee.
Cascade wanted to streamline the data collection process in order to pay their providers with ease. The Provider Advantage portal was created to electronically integrate and manage Cascade’s interface in conjunction with the Providers’ and the clients’.
The Provider Advantage portal allows for Cascade employees to send the referral electronically to their providers, saving time in getting the necessary forms and information sent to the provider. Also, the system validates that the provider is submitting the session information correctly, which frees up an additional 40 hours a week for Cascade employees. Additionally, the system allows Cascade center employees to manage provider users, the referral extension process, and allows them to follow-up with providers who have referrals that do not have a 1st appointment. The system also allows cascade to batch submitted cases together into a pay batch that can forecast out total payments that will be due to providers and assist Cascade in managing cash flow. The portal also allows the providers to enter their session visit directly, and with the built-in Provider Rules system, the provider will avoid common human errors that used to frequently occur. The system has automated helps for the providers that will send them an automated email giving them a 7-day advance notice for all expiring cases, ensuring that the provider will be compensated and that client do not fall through the cracks.
Client // Chev's of The 40's
A Premier supplier of 1937 – 1954 Chevrolet car and truck parts, Chev’s of the 40’s assists hundreds of customers purchase the specialized auto parts they need for their classic car rebuilds every day. To better meet their clients’ customized parts needs efficiently and rapidly, they asked On Demand Software, Inc. to integrate their new Altigen phone system with their Current customer database system.
On Demand Software integrated the Altigen phone system with Chev’s of the 40’s client database and created an instant customer profile screen that ties a customer’s order history to their telephone number. By streamlining all customer service order information with incoming customer calls, Chev’s of the 40’s is able to more quickly identify and service customer needs, resulting in shorter call times and more personalized service for each customer. This translated into greater cost efficiency and increased income potential with each customer helped.
With a clear understanding of the technical issues involved in meeting the needs of the customer service department and the demands of their repeat customer base, ODSI created a customized plan to enhance Chev’s of the 40’s current operating systems. ODSI integrated the Altigen phone system with Chev’s of the 40’s client database and created an instant customer profile screen that ties a customer’s order history to their telephone number. Now customer service representatives can view previous order and account information as soon as they answer the phone.
To better maximize call queue efficiency, ODSI designed a call routing routine that directs waiting customer calls to a specific call queue pertaining to their most recent order, making it easier for customer service representatives to anticipate client needs and up-sell additional products. ODSI’s integration allows the service representative to automatically pull up a new order form based off of the customer’s phone number, along with past order information so that the customers are serviced even quicker and more efficiently than before.
Product // EstateManager System
Created in 1995 as a Microsoft Access Application to help insurance agents track their clients, Estate Manager helps financial planners stay abreast of where their clients are in their financial planning process. Over the years it has turned into a web-based enterprise system, hosted on our own cloud computing system, that now helps agents determine who their best clients are, thereby supplying the agent with the technological capabilities and control to recognize the best opportunities.
The Estate Manager system will help augment the agent’s potential by:
- Furnishing a data import wizard to simplify, standardize, and speed up the process of building their book of business into Estate Manager.
- Economizing the agent’s ability to track Surrender/Maturity dates and other alerts.
- Uploading any type of file, scanned document, or fax image to minimize data collection and management.
- Tracking all financial data, such as insurance, annuities, property, and income.
- Keeping a permanent record of all contact history with clients, including all conversations.
- Offering mail merge reporting capability for use with birthday and review letters.
EstateManager helps agents find their individual, so-called sweet spot where they as the agent can maximize their time and focus on the business that matters most.
The EstateManager system provides a way for the Sales Agent to manage their entire customer base no matter the carrier or insurer. To increase utility and speed, Estate Manager integrates with Microsoft Outlook, eFileCabinet, and LaserApp software so that you only have to key your data into one place. Estate Manager will patch the information to these systems thereby preserving the flexibility and assets inherent in those programs without having to do repetitious redundant data entry. Estate Manager also provides demographic analysis of customers and prospects to help agents understand where their greatest sales opportunities lie. Business Analysis reporting allows the agent to recognize who their best customers are based on demographics and actual sales data. Estate Manager will aggregate pertinent information and create a production analysis showing what has been sold as well as a demographic breakdown of sales and the types of products issued. It can also report what zip code sales have been made in, who has been calling about what products, and what’s hot in what areas so that the agent can focus on what is most important to them.