Upgrading Your Existing System

Do you have an existing Management system written  which is showing its age?

 Bluebird can upgrade the system with no loss of data and provide you with additional reports, security measures and user friendliness but keeping the essentials of the existing system.

Here is a list of tests you can use to find out if you need to upgrade your database:

Construction and Design
1. Is your database system tuned to the way your staff work?
For example, a Client may ring a staff member. Can he or she rapidly get all the information they need to respond to the Client on the phone. Can they answer questions about availability, quote prices and dates or is their response “I’m sorry, I don’t have this information at the moment. Can I ring you back?

2. Does your database do a good job of presenting and analysing the data?
Do you have to give someone a special task to come up with the Sales Figures for the last quarter? Do your staff resort to taking snapshots of tables and copying them into Excel so that they can analyse the data? Do you have to prepare documents such as statements and form letters manually?

3. Is it easy to use?
Can a new member of staff start using the database straight away or do they need a long induction period ? Do they have to remember items like Customer Codes and Product numbers? Is it easy to search for data even if the information they have is incomplete? Is it overcomplicated with features you don’t need or want or slow you down?

4. Are the forms attractive and well laid out?
 Is the writing too small? Does the programmer think that a bright purple or fluorescent pink background is really cool. ?
Alternatively, are all forms a uniform Access grey?
Is it easy to enter data without having to use the mouse?
Do the formsuse the space available to the full or occupy only a small portion of the screen?



Database Implementation

5. Does the database get corrupted often?
Do you have to go out of the database and then go back in? Do you frequently have to ‘Compact and repair’ it?

6. Is the database slow? Does it take a long time to open? Does it crash or lock-up frequently?

7. Is it too big? Large databases are slow to open and slow to save data. They are more likely to get corrupted.

Access and Security

8. Can several people access and update information on the database at the same time? All Modern database systems are meant to be shared. An unshared database will prevent people working together effectively, leading to duplication and errors. It also means that if two clients ring up at the same time, only one can be dealt with at a time, even if two staff are available.

9. Are you able to back up the database regularly – and restore it from backup files in an emergency?

10. Do staff need to access the database from their laptop or smartphone no matter where they are? Would your business run better if it did?

Contact us now

If you are having problems with any of these let us know. Bluebird are happy to offer a free consultation to discover your requirements and design the best solution.
Ring us now on 020 8349 4714.