When approached by our client Oran Industries Ltd., a leader in vinyl window manufacturing, to redevelop a quoting system for their dealer network, we were presented with an unexpected challenge.
With their old Windows-based quoting application, Oran’s network of independent dealers experienced ongoing difficulties related to the installation of the software and the timely distribution of product and pricing updates.
Initially, a hosted Internet-based application seemed like the logical answer to eliminate the implementation and update issues with the Windows-based application. However, it soon became apparent that a significant number of dealers do not have high speed Internet access due to their remote location. An Internet-based application would require a high speed connection, so the application would not meet our client’s objective of building a solution that could be used by all dealers.
So, in order to meet the needs of the client and at the same time address the technical limitations of the dealer network, we proposed a hybrid ’online/offline’ solution.
With the proposed solution, the quoting software would be a Windows-based application installed directly on each dealer’s PC. It could be used anywhere, anytime, even if a dealer is not connected to the Internet at all. Dealers would only be required to be connected to the Internet in order to initially download and install the application from the Oran web site, eliminating the need to send installation CD’s to the dealers. The quick, effortless installation of the software could be performed over any Internet connection, including dial-up.
So, with a Windows-based application, how would the dealers receive the product and pricing updates? Whenever a dealer is connected to the Internet, the application automatically checks the Oran web site for updates to the products and pricing database (as well as the application itself) and automatically applies any updates. This process is completely transparent to the dealer and happens in a matter of seconds.
When the product and pricing database is updated by Oran (via a private administrative area of Oran’s own web site), an email is automatically sent to all the dealers instructing them to run the application while connected to the Internet in order to automatically download and apply the updates.
The new software has achieved Oran’s goal of creating a solution that can be easily installed and used by all dealers. The automatic distribution of product and pricing updates ensures that all dealers are creating customer quotations that always reflect accurate and up-to-date pricing.
The new and improved solution has cemented Oran’s relationship with its dealer network and, in doing so, helped maximize the bottom line of both Oran and its dealers.
To learn more about how we may be able to help your company, please call us now at 416-977-1991 or email us at info@dataproforbusiness.com.
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