Mobile database software gains rapidly growing firm thousands of pounds' worth of productivity a year

Mobile database software gains rapidly growing firm thousands of pounds' worth of productivity a year

Former IT programmer turned managing director of Colchester’s Mercury Blinds, Stefan Smith, has saved the family-run window blinds business around £10,000 year in hours through programming the company’s new database system using FileMaker Go.

Established in 1973, the Essex firm manufactures and installs window blinds for a wide range of domestic, trade and commercial customers. It began by offering four ranges. It now features 16 different ranges, which means its database must take into account nearly 7,000 items and 160 price lists. Smith realised the last database created in 2003 could no longer cope with, nor meet, expanding product integration demands.

Falling back on old IT skills

Smith said he last programmed 25 years ago, yet found FileMaker simple enough to build from. Within two to three days it was capable of managing the production process around the firm’s four biggest products.

He built the entire new custom database system in just a few weeks, so it can now hold and cope with the company’s expanding product range and real-time business and customer demands.

Having chosen FileMaker Go iPad and iPhone compatible version, Smith deployed ten iPads with FileMaker Go installed on them around the Mercury Blinds factory.

The database’s scripting qualities and iPad high-definition screens has enabled his team can get a real-time snapshot of the production process, product information, and can quickly iron out any issues, something that was not possible with the previous set-up. Smith calls it a “hugely intelligent system".

Extending into supplier relations

The system also helps maintains customer relations. It performs hundreds more checks on every order and delivers an automatic apology to customers should there be trouble filling an order. Smith added he can now impress large suppliers.

He said: “It’s the best piece of software I have ever used. It’s saving me in the region of £10,0000 a year on hours alone and I think that will be closer to £20,000 a year when we really get it going. It has made us a faster, slicker and more productive.”

Smith added: “It’s so important to have information on the go. Data entry into the system is now ten times quicker thanks to FileMaker Go, and in real-time too. It’s like having another member of staff. FileMaker Go runs checks throughout the day so everyone knows the latest news on each order. With its wealth of options and functions it means Mercury Blinds can build well into the future.”