Background:

Our client specializes in pipe unloading, handling and installation for the oil and gas industry.  Since they are the stewards of joints from mill to right-of-way, they received constant calls asking for status updates and information.  As the company grew, this process was becoming unmanageable.

The Challenge:

Our client hired an outside vendor to create a pipe logistics system that would track inventory at the individual level and assist with field and internal administrative processes, also exposing a web portal for their customers.

Over time, they became frustrated with their vendor’s lack of project management oversight, unforeseen delays in schedule and additional costs.  $500,000 in, they lacked an operational product, and there was concern it would never be completed.

The Solution:

The client decided to bring in a new vendor to look at the issues with a fresh set of eyes.  Entrance reviewed the existing source code for the project and determined where there were gaps in functionality.  Over a period of months, our consultants incorporated state-of-the-art RFID and barcode/scanner tracking technology into a custom application that is user friendly for both our client and their customers.

Additional enhancements made included: offline field data capture, employee clock-in/out, bulk inventory import and integration with a third-party document management solution.  Best of all, it will provide out client’s decision makers with to-the-minute information about the status of their inventory.  This visibility helps decrease the need for extra inventory, in addition to reducing the amount of lost or damaged pipe.  Customers also love that there is a complete digital history for all of their inventory, which provides traceability for inventory damage as well as aides in regulatory compliance in case of accidents.

In terms of ROI, the features and benefits of this application were the reason that a new customer signed on with our client.  The revenue from this account alone has already covered the complete software investment.

To find out more about software modernization, read our article on the Top 5 Signs of Bad Software.