Case Study: Transportation Supplier Portal Development

Client

Cardinal Transportation

Challenges

• To develop a B2B intranet application between the suppliers agents and customers of Cardinal Transportation that has the ability to enhance communications.
• To improve operational procedures and reduce operating costs.
• To increase marketing efforts and provide global control access to information that adds a significant value to Cardinal's existing business infrastructure.

Technology

Technology architects at Azavar realized the importance of Cardinal's legacy system integration with this new application that not only can handle all the complex web-based processes but also ensure minimal disruption of the existing technical infrastructure. To accomplish this goal, it was decided to use Microsoft technology on an open three-tier client server platform. Cardinal's legacy system that resided on AS400 platform was integrated using IBM DB2's database driver that provided replicated data for MS SQL server database. The proposed solution was implemented on Microsoft Windows platform and IIS to host the website. To provide the functionality for the website, the multi-tier solution comprised of ASP powered user interface for the front-end and a three-tier engine that was developed using Visual Basic to interact with MS SQL server and implement specific criteria. The tiers of this engine were Manager Object, Business Object and the Data Access Layer. Manager object receives the request from the client and passes over to the business object that triggers the business rules that are associated with the request. Data access layer is connected to the SQL server using Microsoft ODBC drivers. COM+ accesses the components from dynamic ASP pages that use VBScript for server side programming and JavaScript for client site validation. Active X data object (ADO) is the standard for internal and external data communication.

The new interface has not only given the company a new look, but it has given the customers a new way to look at Cardinal Transportation. Agents do not contact the call centers anymore as they can now track the entire activity on the Internet. Planning, forecasting, resource allocation and schedules for moving and vehicle location can be tracked online that has significantly increased the processing efficiency. Agent registration forms and personnel document are now submitted via the web. E-commerce has created an opportunity for Cardinal to stay in touch with business partners in real time and boost their profits.

Solution

Azavar Technologies Corporation's recommendation to Cardinal was to adopt a customer focused B2B model that aimed to capture all the key issues. The philosophy behind this recommendation was to use the Internet not just for marketing functions, but to make it a core business function that can provide opportunities to communicate, coordinate and transact with anyone, anywhere and anytime. This improves the existing supply chain by staying in touch with the business partners in real-time and creates opportunities to attract new customers and additional revenue. The different channels that are involved in Cardinal's business model are its customers, agents and suppliers. These channels were identified based on their functional role and Azavar's strategy was to integrate these functions without disrupting the existing infrastructure.

The solution has reduced the operating costs of all of Cardinal's call centers, and is generating better opportunities for attracting new clients. Cardinal has now created a true business partnership with its customers by gathering better knowledge of their needs. Improved customer responsiveness, along with instant and controlled access to its central database has eliminated operational inefficiencies. Cardinal is now a customer-focused company that is completely aligned with customer groups and has specific functions for each group.

E-Commerce is changing the business landscape at a phenomenal pace and this change is happening in every aspect of business. Traditional brick and mortar companies are now re-organizing their business depending on customer needs and relationships. In the case of Cardinal, the user-friendly and secure interface that integrated their legacy system has bridged the gap between its agents, suppliers and customers. Azavar's solution to Cardinal was not just to build an application to facilitate current business operations, but to also meet demands for future expansion.

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