Case Study

Developer/Location:

Matthew Hubbell

D.C. Hubbell & Associates, Inc.

Lakewood, OH

Overview:

Business systems developer Matthew Hubbell used Pendragon Forms to create handheld applications as part an inventory automation solution for an automotive parts supply business. 

The parts supplier needed to replace an inefficient paper based system used to process purchase orders that had as many as 900 line items.  Receiving the shipments into inventory manually was a long, tedious process with potential for mistakes. 

Using Pendragon Forms, an application was created that populated lookup tables with purchase order line items and quantities.  By using Symbol SPT-1800 scanners, they were able to streamline data collection, significantly reducing manual entry and keying errors. 

Receiving inventory with the scanner handhelds takes 75% less time compared to the paper system.  The forms are synchronized to an Access database that is integrated with the legacy inventory control system.

"I found Pendragon Forms to be easy to learn, feature rich and reliable" says Matthew Hubbell.  "The application has been running for nearly two years, and has only been reinstalled on one handheld device while in service."

Development Time:

Hubbell spent about three hours learning the product and its capabilities.  He created the Pendragon Forms applications in about four hours and the complete solution in ten hours.

"I liked the fact the Pendragon Forms uses MS Access.  It made it so easy to get up to speed and put together a professional looking application for Palm Powered handhelds."

Benefits:

Without electronic inventory receiving, the parts supplier would have needed to hire at least three additional clerks.  Additionally, the warehouse staff no longer needs to manually record actual receiving; this has further reduced the amount of time required to unpack and place items in the proper bin location.

"The return on investment has been enormous for my client.  By reducing processing time and data entry errors, their business has been able to expand and keep up inventory control without increasing personnel costs."