About the Client
Dyson Insulations Limited is a well-established company, which, at the time of the first contact, specialised in cavity wall, and roof, insulation, and had three main activities:
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installation of insulation for individual householders, often under various grant schemes;
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installation of insulation for commercial organisations, such as housebuilders, office developers etc.;
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sale of insulation materials to the building trade.
Subsequently, the company has also moved into home heating systems.
The company’s head office is in Brighouse, with satellite offices in Manchester, Gateshead, Oldbury and Northampton.
The Situation
The company had two main areas of computer systems. The first was a purpose-written system, using the MS-Access database, which handled the Order Processing, Job Progressing, Invoicing and, to some extent, Stock Control functions for the domestic customers. The second is a packaged suite of software supporting Sales, Purchase, and Nominal Ledgers, Payroll, Stock Control, Sales Order Processing (for the merchanting operation), and Purchase Order Processing. Support for the latter system was being withdrawn over the following two years, starting with Payroll.
The volume of data processed by the purpose-written system had increased dramatically since it had first been designed. Initially, 3 PCs had required access to the system. When we looked at the system, 9 PCs were using it full-time and there was a desire to provide access to more people. Unfortunately, the system was suffering in terms both of response time and reliability.
The time had obviously arrived to look at replacing both systems. Whilst the client was happy to select new accounting software, they felt the need for assistance in obtaining new Order Processing / Job Control software.
The Work Undertaken
We undertook an assignment, to select a developer for a new SQL-based system, comprising:
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production of a statement of requirements / invitation to tender;
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identification of potential suppliers;
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invitation and evaluation of tenders, including detailed discussions with the final three;
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advice on contract terms and final choice.
