Intranet Software Client Case Study: Ad Holdings

The Client

AD Holdings plc is a holding company for a number of businesses including AD Aerospace Ltd, specialising in airline, aircraft and vehicle security; and Remguard Ltd, providing services for the active remote monitoring of premises and property; plus AD Aviation, who offer private aircraft charter. AD Holdings operates from rural Cheshire and together with its subsidiary companies, it employs over 50 staff at various locations across the North West.

Since 1999, AD Holdings had been using an intranet as a communication tool for staff at their head office and other locations. Although a basic source of information, listing contact people and phone numbers, the intranet software had become static over time.

PJ Web – The Obvious Choice

AD Holdings decided to call in the experts. In PJ Web Solutions, AD Holdings found a company that offered a wide range of specialist services – from bespoke web design and specialist programming to database development, maintenance and upgrades. It also provided web hosting and web analysis, as well as marketing and continuous support.

Working closely with John Ellison, IT Manager at AD Holdings, PJ Web first gained a thorough understanding of the company. Then it devised and implemented a series of solutions to get AD Holdings' intranet software up to speed…

The Solution - Call Manager

PJ Web Solutions devised a Call Manager tool for the intranet to log all customer calls and give each query or 'ticket' a number. Technical staff can now trace every customer's call record, and detect recurring problems. And because the Intranet system records the exact time spent resolving a query, the company can use this information for efficiency monitoring and analysis, as well as more accurate billing.

The Solution - Diary Addition To Intranet System

PJ Web Solutions designed a Diary System Intranet solution where staff can choose a daily, weekly or monthly view and quickly update information and keep track of their colleagues. PJ Web Solutions also included a new feature which adds in a meeting room that can be scheduled just like a member of staff. The Diary System for their Intranet is very flexible and user friendly, and staff can access it from remote locations anywhere in the world using any web browser.

The Solution - Software Release System

PJ Web Solutions realised that AD Holdings needed help keeping track of the various versions of software they write for a number of different products. Backed by a strong relationship with the client, it approached John Ellison with the idea of a Software Release System. He agreed and internal engineers and salespeople now have a central point to find the latest versions of software. They can also look up its history, from the oldest to the newest version. Anyone can easily upload and update software to the intranet pages, and a main advantage is that staff can download versions as well.

The Benefits

John sums up the benefits of using PJ Web Solutions: "They have made a major contribution to the running of our business. We needed a bespoke solution to our problems not an over-priced off-the-shelf package. Each of PJ Web's solutions has saved us time and a great deal of effort. They have smoothed the flow of information into and around the business. Everything is much quicker and easier to use.

"We also work well together. As a small company, PJ Web Solutions can react much quicker than others to our needs. They understand how to work with us and what our capabilities are. I can go to them and say 'this is what we want to do' or 'I need something that helps with this' and they design a solution for me. They give a good personal service and deliver on time. We have already lined up other projects which we want PJ Web Solutions to get involved with."