BCD Professional Services Client Success Story

EGS Electrical Group is a global manufacturer of industrial electrical products for explosion proof, hazardous and ordinary location environments, with some of the most well known brands in the industry.

Recently, EGS completed a project which consolidated the data centers for two major business groups onto one iSeries computer. To deliver information to their distributors, sales reps and managers, EGS contracted BCD Consulting to assist them with the development of their browser-based applications. WebSmart programs were already in place and servicing requests for the Appleton and McGill product lines. With the recent consolidation of their database, WebSmart applications now service the entire EGS product line currently available at their internal, password-protected site. Several new facilities were also added including an including an on-line order entry application. In the words of EGS Development Manager Don Erickson, "The combination of WebSmart and Catapult has enabled EGS to develop a site which not only offers the information our users need but also sends order confirmation and volume information not suited to the Web via E-mail."

Previously, the site used a combination of Lotus Notes and WebSmart applications. Lotus Notes development proved too cumbersome and expensive, which is why EGS moved to WebSmart in May of 2002. Since that time, EGS staff members have learned WebSmart and have been contributing to new site development and enhancements together with ESDI programmers. This expertise will allow EGS to manage and maintain the site internally with minimal assistance from ESDI. This combination of consulting, training and mentoring has proven successful with several other sites also.

Don Erikson: "Enlisting help from various consulting groups has given me many levels of satisfaction and confidence (or lack of) . When I contacted BCD Consulting Group to assist in web based projects, of which I had some but limited knowledge, I did not know what to expect or how my lack of expertise in this area would play out.

I was very impressed with the outcome. In BCD Consulting, I had found, not only a group which did the work I requested, but a team that also brought out the pitfalls and better ways of accomplishing the end result. My lack of expertise soon gave way to a comfortable learning relationship while our web site grew and matured.

Now with 80% of our web programming being done in-house, we still relay on BCD Consulting when a 'best practice' question arises or we get in to a new area. Any project overload is quickly and easily transferred to BCD Consulting for an on time completion.

BCD Consulting Group has made what could have been a difficult transition to web based programming a smooth one by being more than just another consulting house."