- A hat manufacturer never had their own database. In fact, the owner had pieces of paper in his
pocket to let him know what needed to be done that day or in the near future. All records were on paper. When a customer called, there was no quick way to look up when
an order was shipped and what was shipped. I worked closely with the owner to develop a custom Access® system in which
they could enter and track orders, print routing slips and packing slips to put with their shipments, as well as maintain their customer information.
Now several employees use the system daily to enter orders, respond to customer inquiries, and maintain shipments info.
- A service company had a well-known system to track their customers, customer contacts, communications by email,
fax and phone, training classes and training attendees. However, the old package also did many other things they did not need,
and did not address a couple key needs. It was not easy to customize the large software package so they asked me to develop
a new database in MS-Access® that would only have the functionality they needed. I was able to transfer all their old data to the new
database, and simplify many of their data entry issues. This new database does mail merges into Word and
creates automatic history whenever a process is run. In this way, management can view what different users have worked on,
and look at customer history to know the status of a current customer. I even added a calendar reminder system that allows
the users to set up reminders for certain tasks, and then convert those tasks into history when they are complete.
- A gift basket store owner had tried to find someone to complete her halfway started website. She specifically wanted a website that
reflects her fun and outgoing personality, while still being informative and easy to navigate. I met with the owner, and
used her existing business card and brochure color scheme to brand her website too. I took pictures of her store to
use on her site. With the help of web designer, Adam Weller, we created a truly special website. Customers can now order
online, and the owner can track her orders online using an Excel report created from her website. The owner can send mass emails to people on her email list through her website with an easy-to-use admin
tool that only she can access.
- A new business owner needed a basic website to refer prospects and to showcase her work. I created her logo and installed our web content management
tool, WebRx, to all her web pages. Now the owner can change her content, including adding and changing images and links, whenever
she wants, without having to contact me for help. That's what I call power!
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