Corporate database gives leisure specialist the chance to disperse its network knowledge
CALdes BOE has recently designed and implemented a corporate database for leisure specialist Robert Barry.
The Cirencester-based firm has a comprehensive database of leisure properties, but, as with many organisations, the information was held in several formats, including Unix, Microsoft DOS and Windows.
Robert Barry needed to put this into a single source, accessible and controllable over local and wide area networks. Simple and complex search facilities were also required, as well as mail merging and reporting functions to support marketing, management and other consultancy needs.
The core of the solution developed by CALdes BOE ( www.caldes-boe.co.uk) is a Microsoft SQL server-based intranet, providing contact management and property matching functions. It also incorporates a diary and a message centre, plus a full list of UK towns and postcodes.
Two levels deal with queries: Quick Search looks for the most common fields in both single and multiple modes; and Search Wizard allows for more complex searches, for administrative and research functions.
An intranet uses the same protocols as the internet – for example, TCP/IP – but is strictly an internal facility for information management within a company.
During the past two years CALdes BOE has focused on a number of off-the-shelf browser-based knowledge management solutions. The company believes that putting tried-and-tested products with tailormade links on the market is the best approach, so long as the needs of users are addressed.
Software implementation also needs to be part of a training programme that looks beyond the technology and services to include behaviour skills and attitudes.
Details from CALdes Ltd on 020 7439 4995; e-mail: info@caldes.co.uk
