Publishing and Exhibition businesses

Requirement

Client required 40-user system to manage its mailing/subscription/advertising/exhibitions business.

Project Manager

David Simpson

Objective

David designed and built a rdbms based suite of applications written in Basic Plus to handle accounting, subscription and circulation management, advertising sales order processing, event management and direct mail marketing in the early 80's. In the early 90's it was decided to upgrade both hardware and software and David was asked to oversee the transition to the new system.

Approach

• Prepare System Requirements document
• Prepare Request for Proposals
• Select potential suppliers
• Review hardware and packaged software
• Shortlist suppliers
• Manage pilot project
• Design and develop fully integrated contact management, direct mail, journal subscriptions, advertising order processing and conference/exhibition management system

Solution & Technology

• 4th Dimension (Macintosh and PC)
• Mac System 7
• FileMaker
• Quark Xpress

Commitment

The project took a total of 200 man days

Key phases were:

Planning

2 months involving client staff for a total of 20 man days

Development

6 months

Implementation

20 Days