Rocket D3 Infrastructure upgrade - Major UK Electronics Distributor

Introduction

Niglon is a family-run multi-million-pound wholesale distributor of electronic and electrical components, which differentiated itself through personal service and flexibility. However, its outdated core software presented a significant threat to its business, and a complete re-write via a fresh software house was impractical.

Initial Challenge

Niglon's core software, embodied intricate Niglon-specific business logic, rules, and processes, making it difficult to find a commercially acceptable alternative. The system was reliant on unsupported database and software systems, and changing it became an imperative.

Process

H3O was approached, and using its deep knowledge and ability in the mv arena, proposed a step-wise approach to regain lost ground. The team used their proprietary AI methods to convert the existing 'System Builder' application to a later, supported incarnation called 'SB+,' bringing the system back within the sphere of supported technology. The approach inherently brought major functional advances via a more feature-rich and consistent user interface.

Impact and Result

The conversion to SB+ enabled Niglon to regain lost ground in one step, break the lock old technology had on the company, and open the door to move forward and embrace modern technology without losing any of the custom business processes and rules embodied in the core software. In addition, a web interface was built, and Niglon's future is now brighter than ever with plans to take the system to the next level, integrating external, self-serve systems and reporting back to customers. Niglon leveraged a modest overall investment made over 40 years and took all those benefits forward. The company can now use modern technologies such as Web Services, APIs, and integration without any loss of data or application functionality. In short, H3O's solution enabled Niglon to preserve its market differentiator, personal service, and flexibility, while modernising its technology and regaining its competitive edge.