CCL (Computer Consultants) Limited

CIL's activities are wide ranging.  The company developed as a fisherman's co-operative but with the decline of the fishing industry it has entered new markets.  Each branch has its own specialisation as a result of the local market conditions, but in general Cosalt aims to act as a single source of supply for all its customer requirements.  Each branch will hold a stock of items but will also buy to customer order from supplier catalogues.

One of CIL's more unusual activities is Life Raft Servicing.  A commercial life raft has to be serviced, by law, every twelve months in a DoT approved service station that also has to be approved by the manufacturer.  CIL will also provide Life Raft Hire.

CIL has a legacy system based upon a modified ERP package and had over a number of years developed sub systems, both manual and PC based to address additional business requirements as they arose.  CIL had been to the computer supply market looking for a replacement system on two previous occasions, and in this instance had isolated a shortlist of two.

CCL was commissioned to validate this shortlist against the business objectives.  The new system was seen as a means for the company to become a more dominant force within the chosen markets.

Although Customer Relationship Management was seen as driving the project, the diverse and at times complex requirements were difficult to address with a single standard system.

CCL prepared an invitation to Tender, incorporating a detailed Statement of Requirements itemising each of the areas of operation, and emphasising that they should be able to operate simultaneously.  CCL also produced a list of alternative suppliers.  On analysing the ITT responses, each of the suppliers excelled in a particular area but showed weaknesses in others.  Two suppliers were shortlisted and asked to arrange detailed demonstrations against a data pack and a script.

"As a company that had not invested in a computer system for 10 years, we felt that involving outside consultants would ensure we made the best choice.  CCL were selected as they came with an open mind and took on board what we had already accomplished.  Following that, their level of expertise in selecting software systems ensured that we had the whole picture when it came to selecting our preferred software supplier" said Jason Belcher.

CCL assisted CIL to negotiate advantageous contracts and, these contracts having been signed, the implementation is on target for live running of Phase One in mid 2002.  CCL will continue to play an active part offering both help and guidance during the implementation phase and rollout.