Case Studies

Fox’s Biscuits

Problem: Fox’s biscuits used a bespoke system for recording information from from their production areas. They recorded information on production volumes, downtime and quality control but their bespoke system had minimal reporting capabilities which resulted in management information being very difficult to obtain and analyse.

Solution: BIS working with Fox’s own IT staff produced a BI solution that converted the existing database to Microsoft SQL server, they then worked with with key decision makers in the business to design a multidimensional database using Cognos Powerplay. This BI software enabled the detailed analysis of their production information that they needed.

Results: BIS built on on existing business relationship with Fox’s to provide a BI solution which provided an insight into a vital area of management control. Also, because BIS worked together with Fox’s IT staff it has enabled Fox’s to use this initial project as the springboard for further production area reporting innovation in the rest of the company.

Quote: "With the help of Business Intelligence Solutions we achieved our goal of successfully delivering multidimensional reporting to the business.”

Jacqui Whitworth,  IT Manager, Fox’s Biscuits

Fletcher’s Bakeries

Dilemma: Fletchers Bakeries were becoming increasingly frustrated by their inability to gather management information their staff and general HR issues.

Despite having a significant amount of employee information contained within their existing HR package, the system was not designed to interpret the information, so reporting and analysis was time-consuming and expensive.

Fletchers required a system that would enable their own HR staff to be able to design and run their own reports – minimising cost and increasing operational efficiency and flexibility.

Solution: Business Intelligence Solutions designed a system which now enables Fletchers HR staff to pull off sophisticated reports with a simple ‘drag and drop’ interface. The solution involved extracting information from the existing HR system in a small reporting data mart and then interrogating and analysing the data mart using Impromptu reporting software from Canadian software specialists Cognos.

Project Management: Business Intelligence Solutions worked closely with Fletchers staff to understand their issues in order to design a system that would directly address their business dilemma and produce demonstrable results. They provided training and support to ensure that Fletchers were entirely comfortable with the process.

Results: The results are clear.  The system has produced considerable time savings in the HR department and eased pressure on the internal IT department for future bespoke development. Fletchers now have access to extensive and meaningful management information that enables them to plan strategically and operate more effectively.

Quote: "BIS did a fantastic job for Fletcher Bakeries. We were having serious problems in trying to obtain management information from our HR system because of its age. The solution delivered by BIS enabled us to access this information with ease, but more importantly returned control of reporting and analysis to the decision makers in our HR department"

Stephen Bradley IT Manager,  Fletcher Bakeries

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