Empson (Canada) Inc.

Challenge

The challenge faced by Empson is the same for all wine distributors in Canada: sales and inventory data come from multiple sources in each province, pricing varies for each province and depends on shipping rates, currency exchange, warehousing fees, etc. How does Empson discover what the sales are by customer, by brand, by wine, by region, by rep? What exactly is in inventory and what is it worth?

Solution

There is no simple solution, but Claero Systems was able to design a web based application that provided relatively easy import of data from all the various sources in Alberta and BC. It also allowed Empson to import their pricing spreadsheet so that the sales values reflected the correct pricing. There is also a tool that allows Empson to quickly assign sales reps to regions. Online secure access for all reps across the country was made available and there is web based reporting by time range, product, region, rep, customer, etc. There is also an export feature to allow further manipulation of the data in Excel.

Results

Empson sales staff now have access to the latest sales information to help assist them. Sales data files are well organized and Empson staff can quickly see what data is missing and the system helps prevent storing duplicate data. Empson management has access to the sales information they need.

Technology Used

IIS, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript

Associated Web Sites

Challenge

Empson Canada needed someone to build their website. They designed it themselves, but needed help creating the css and pages. They also wanted a way to update their portfolio and web pages themselves.

Solution

Claero Systems created a new site for Empson Canada that uses the Joomla Content Management System and also integrated the private online portfolio management system that was already created for Empson & Co (Italy) so that the portfolio could be managed online.

Results

The site is currently in use.

Technology Used

HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL

Challenge

The new CEO of Empson Canada was planning for agressive growth throughout Canada. He required that the IT infrastructure be in place to accomodate this change including a stable network, email, file server, backup, and security system.

Solution

An IBM server, workstations, and a laptop were leased for the Calgary office. A Windows 2000 server with an Exchange 2000 server for email and contacts collaboration was installed. McAfee antivirus software was installed to protect the server, email server, and desktop and laptop computers. An automated tape backup system, a router, a switch and all appropriate wiring was installed to support the network. Home offices in other provinces have also been set up wherein the employees rely on the systems, such as email and virus protection in the Calgary office. Finally, training was performed on all of the systems and software as necessary.

Results

Empson Canada has steadily expanded while relying on the IT infrastructure that was set up. The only interuption in service was the result of hardware failure which was quickly addressed by Claero. Claero is in the process of setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for Empson to allow wider use of the Calgary network resources by remote staff, such as file sharing and faxing services.

Technology Used

Windows 2000 Server, Exchange 2000 Server, Symantec Corporate Enterprise Edition, Cisco PIX Firewall

Challenge

Empson Canada was using a Windows 2000 Server / Windows Exchange 2000 Server and required server based faxing and a more secure and reliable solution.

Solution

Claero Systems recommended and completed the project to upgrade their network to Small Business Server 2003.

Results

After some intial problems with the setup, the network is now running smoothly and Empson is already taking advantage of the new features in SBS.

Technology Used

Microsoft Small Business Server 2003