Case Study: All American Driving School (Cont.)
Phase 2: Eliminate the paper-based administration system
Erlach's staff has the ability to see how technology can improve a business. "We listen to our customers and create an online system with minimal time from the customer," said Natasha Timmerman, project lead. "We take a process and translate it into a custom application."
That is exactly what ECC did for All American. The goal of the second phase was to improve operational processes by automating all of the School's manual operations. The School provided ECC with its existing manuals, forms, fees, classes, business logic, and potential problems with the current system. From there, ECC scoped the project, moved all of the existing data into the new system, developed the applications and set up a newly implemented internal computer network.
Online Scheduling
Online Scheduling eliminated cumbersome clipboard system.
This new web-based system allows the company to manage the following:
- Student/Customer info: Keep student profiles, track the lessons they took, and upcoming appointments
- Student Payment: Process to obtain payment from the students which shows who owes and who paid
- Instructor Payment: Track the instructor's timesheet and record lessons
- Scheduling: View instructors' calendars online, see any special requirements for students, student comments, where to pick the students up, and displays information on who is available and who is on vacation
- Financial accounting interface: Payment data is downloaded for import into Quickbooks to simplfy accounting data entry
As with all custom application development, ECC trained the School's employees to understand and operate its new business systems.
Result:
Happy employees. Better customer service. Reduction in days in accounts receivable. There are no more scheduling conflicts, payroll mishaps, or lost paper work. The web-based system made the entire operation considerably simpler and reduced errors. Now All American Driving School is their own e-business expert.
Once again, this phase was completed on time and on budget. On an on-going basis, All American is only on a one hour per month maintenance contract with ECC, which is recommended for dynamic systems to allow for minor modifications. To date, there have been no major modifications.
So what is next for All American? Kruger is currently formulating a national drivers education network to help members manage and develop their own courses.
Are you interested in any of these driving courses? If so, check out www.internetdrivered.com or call (775) 825-1957 in the Reno area or (702) 384-7110 in the Las Vegas area.
For more information about Erlach Computer Consulting services call (775) 332-3282.