When 10 group, a graphic design and print management business, came to us they wanted to implement schedule printing in Filemaker.

The challenge

Although this was achievable, we looked at the bigger picture and realised there would have been little possibility of the system growing with the business. Since 10 design was keen to take a ‘whole business approach’ we proposed a solution which could benefit all parts of their operation. Our system has grown with the business over the last few years, easily adapting to new business requirements.

The solution

We proposed a comprehensive job tracking, quoting and time management system. The new system was called Eggplant (for reasons best known to the customer!). Eggplant also replaced an awkward accounting package which had high maintenance costs. MYOB was chosen as the back-end accounting module due to its wide support. Eggplant exports data directly into MYOB.

Eggplant was deployed in stages. Firstly contact and marketing tracking, then project management and quoting, and finally invoicing, purchasing and integration to MYOB. As each stage was deployed the client was able to start using it, providing ish with feedback that allowed us to improve subsequent stages.

After completion, 10 design asked us for some time management features, which were easily and inexpensively added. We are able to upgrade their system without any disruption to their existing data, simply by emailing them an update file.

The result

Our use of 4D allowed us to prototype and implement Eggplant quickly. 4D has low deployment costs and will support a planned web interface to the system.

Security access control is provided down to each page of each form and the system is in daily use by graphic designers, print production managers and administrative staff.