ERP customization and enhancement for an education solutions provider
About The Client
Founded in 1926, the client provides high-quality, innovative curriculum solutions to K-12 schools across the United States and internationally. For over 90 years, the client has been a leader in literature and language arts programs for grades 6-12. It is also one of the leading providers of trade books to classrooms across the United States and delivers an unsurpassed selection of novels, nonfiction books, classroom collections, and literature-based teaching support.
- Industry: Education
- Headquartered: US
- Platforms: IBM iSeries (AS/400), VAI S2K ERP System, SQL Server, SAP Concur, ONIX Database
- Team Size: 6 Developers including RPGLE, SQL, and QA experts
The Challenge
The client is a large provider of educational material, solutions, and online programs for customers across the US. Because of their large customer demand, the client had a need for an extended workforce and system advancements. The challenges faced by the client were:
The existing ERP system was old and did not have the latest functionality that were needed to serve the growing business
The ever-changing demands of customers could no longer be catered to through manual processes
The accounts payable system also needed modifications
Programmers.io. partnered with the client to overcome all their IT challenges. Our team of jumped in and extended the client’s current It capabilities while working closely with its in-house team.
Our Solution
With the help of the client’s in-house team, we identified the problem areas suggested modernization techniques.
Functional Enhancement
The client sells its educational solutions and items online, the ‘customer order creation’ module required changes. Earlier, whenever the customer ordered a certain item kit and some of the items were out of stock from that kit, the order was not allocated to the customer. Our team changed the kit allocation process by adding the functionality to auto allocate/reserve the item kit and dispatch it later once the kit was completed with the out-of-stock items.
Pick Ticket Optimization
Our team eased the shopping process for the customers by removing the digital print items such as softcopies in the form of PDFs etc. from the pick ticket. The customers now do not have to print long pick tickets, they can just get it for physical items such as books, novels etc. This change prevents confusion.
Accounts Payable Automation
The client’s account payable system is partly on VAI’s system 2000 and SAP Concur. Our team automated the accounts payable system to transfer the information from the SAP Concur system to VAI’s system 2000 and vice versa.
Security and User Onboarding Enhancement
The client wanted to enhance the security functionalities in the system. Our team added functionality that allowed the client to onboard new members easily, quickly, and securely.
Data Integration Automation
Our team created a new process to upload all customer and inventory data on the ONIX database from the SQL Server to the ERP system. Earlier this process was done manually by the client’s team.
Automated Order Cancellation
The client’s in-house team had to manually cancel the order if the customer asked for a cancellation. Our team automated this process by developing an interface to automatically cancel customer orders based on business rules.
Technologies Used
Our software architects and engineers are experts in using the latest technologies.
- IBM iSeries
- RPGLE
- CLP
- SQL RPGLE
- DDS
Business Impact
Our solution added value with surprising results because we were able to deliver a high-quality product on time.
Here’s how we did it
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Increased Operational Efficiency
Automation of order processing, kit allocation, and data transfers reduced manual effort and processing time.
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Improved Accuracy
Automated data integration and order handling minimized errors in customer orders, inventory updates, and accounts payable.
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Enhanced Customer Experience
Customers receive streamlined pick tickets and faster order fulfillment, improving satisfaction.
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Scalable ERP System
Upgrades and enhancements to the IBM i-based ERP allow the client to handle a growing customer base and expanding product catalog.
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Stronger Security
Enhanced onboarding and security features protect sensitive data while enabling rapid addition of new users.
Increased Operational Efficiency
Automation of order processing, kit allocation, and data transfers reduced manual effort and processing time.
Improved Accuracy
Automated data integration and order handling minimized errors in customer orders, inventory updates, and accounts payable.
Enhanced Customer Experience
Customers receive streamlined pick tickets and faster order fulfillment, improving satisfaction.
Scalable ERP System
Upgrades and enhancements to the IBM i-based ERP allow the client to handle a growing customer base and expanding product catalog.
Stronger Security
Enhanced onboarding and security features protect sensitive data while enabling rapid addition of new users.
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I wanted to take a moment to highlight and commemorate the efforts from our dedicated PIO team. To preface, the projects we work on here are complex, with rigid objectives, budgets, and timelines. Expectations are always high and are ever-changing. From the start of our relationship, the IO team was able to exceed expectations and make our business wishes a reality.
Over the past year I have worked with them, they have worked very hard to understand our highly customized system and troubleshoot things with little or no documentation while managing to keep the business up and running normally. Without the hard work and dedication they have shown, I know we would have had some issues causing downtime or lost production. I am looking forward to continuing working them in the next year as well.
I have been working with Programmers IO for more than 5 years now and I have been pleased with all projects and developers that I have worked with. We have had a few issues here and there but they have always fixed and made it right. They have been an excellent addition to our business.
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