Ashwood Computer, a MultiValue VAR organization specializing in MultiValue database conversions, migrations, upgrades, and .NET development projects, has announced that it has successfully converted Envirochem, Inc. to Reality 14.1.
Envirochem produces a complete line of ware washing, laundry, housekeeping and industrial products for cleaning and sanitation needs.
The company had considered a conversion from its previous aging, yet reliable, platform to a more modern system for several years. Its existing hardware was showing its 20-plus years. It was also becoming increasingly more difficult and expensive to locate and acquire parts as well as qualified service personnel to make repairs on the system. In addition, employees were frustrated by the overall performance of the legacy system, the inability to network office resources and the lack of an attractive interface.
According to Sid Fleisher, vice president and systems manager at Envirochem, "The old system had become the focus of our disaster plan because recovery was something we had big worries about. Envirochem president Debbie Gildersleeve established the plan to migrate off of the legacy system and it was her continued drive and persistence that finally made that plan a ‘Reality.' "
When looking for a new system, Envirochem placed a high priority on state-of-the-art hardware with plenty of storage; the ability to network-attach copiers and printers to the system; the ability to blend the Reality database, Microsoft applications, and offer a GUI; and minimal end-user retraining.
Ashwood worked closely with the Envirochem team and its consultant, Mark Johnson, as multiple database and conversion options were considered. After thorough consideration of Envirochem legacy applications and the conversion effort required, the upgrade to the latest release of Reality, version 14.1, was found to provide the most efficient and cost-effective path, and Envirochem ultimately chose Ashwood Computer as its conversion partner.
Ashwood proposed their legacy system be replaced with an IBM xSeries 3500 with a 3 GHz, Quad-Core processor, 9GB of memory, mirrored disks and Microsoft Small Business Server 2008.
"We really went on reputation and trust. Once we decided that we wanted to do business with Ashwood, we let them tell us what we needed," notes Envirochem's Fleisher, reflecting on the experience with Ashwood. "Our Ashwood rep was a unique combination of competence and patience. He was thrown many curve balls in setting up the system, but he used his professionalism and surmounted them. Our window to install wasn't fixed and although the curves took time, it didn't add to our expense and when we did our conversion, we didn't have a single ‘burp.' I have done many conversions and this was by far my best one."
For more details about Envirochem, go here.
For more about Mark Johnson, an independent consultant specializing in supporting and enhancing legacy Multi-Value systems, email majprogramming@gmail.com.
For more information about Ashwood Computer, and more details on the Envirochem conversion, go here.