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Following is a list of software development, technology planning, information technology evaluation, and quality assurance efforts with which our consultants have worked during the last several years.
Additionally, Schumaker & Company has worked with other companies who have requested that their projects remain confidential.
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Holcim, one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement, as well as aggregates (gravel and sand), concrete and construction-related services, contacted Schumaker & Company to provide database design and requirements definition. The project started as a small prototype in an Access database to be used by the United States operations. As Schumaker & Company guided Holcim through the design process and offered functionality options to Holcim, the project grew to incorporate an Oracle database designed to support Holcim’s worldwide operations, and Holcim asked Schumaker & Company to provide underlying programming to support a web-based user interface that would be implemented by Holcim’s own web group. Later, Holcim’s satisfaction with Schumaker & Company’s work prompted the company to engage Schumaker & Company to program the web-based user interface as well. |
Provided strategic consultation related to upgrade of Exchange 5.5. to Exchange 2000 including Active Directory Design and Implementation. Installation of first AD Domain Controller and Exchange 2000 server. Process planning and performance benchmarking for data migration process. Scripting solutions related to security and user account migration. Configuration of Internet firewall for OWA/HTTPS and SMTP traffic. Evaluation of anti-virus and content filtering vendors for Internet mail. Troubleshooting of performance and security issues in new server farm. |
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Collaborated on a multi-million dollar asset management solution delivery to Enbridge, a large energy utility in Canada. Partnered with Vantage and Accenture as a subcontractor to deliver two major enhancements to Pipe Maintenance Tracking System (PMTS), a gas asset management system. Designed, developed, and implemented enhancements on time and under budget using Microsoft C#.Net, Crystal Reports, and Oracle.
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O’Neal Construction Ann Arbor, Michigan Designed and developed a construction cost projection model in Microsoft Access. This model used ODBC connector to access historical construction costs for O’Neal’s FOREFRONT accounting system (a Btrieve database, later transition to a SQL database) on a real time basis to develop cost projections on individual projects. The application used OLE to populate the information an Access database for further analysis and presentation.
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Designed, developed, implemented, and supported a billing and accounts receivable application. This application summarizes and tracks charges incurred by Auto Wash customers who have standing contracts (such as Detroit Edison, the City of Detroit and other major companies) for their services. The application supports the monthly billing and accounts receivable process. This application was developed using Access 2000/VBA. |
Designed, developed, implemented, and supported a participating provider database application for M-CARE, the health management organization designed by the University of Michigan. This application allows M-CARE staff and providers to maintain up-to-the-minute information about participating providers, including location and specialization, for M-CARE participants. The application provides management information that is printed and distributed to M-CARE providers as quarterly provider directories. This application was developed using Access/VBA. |
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Schumaker & Company has developed three Access/Visual Basic/SQL Server applications tailored to consulting business needs, including: · TEIRS, a time and expense tracking system that can organize information by client, project, deliverable and staff person for project management and invoicing purposes. This system is currently being beta tested, and is slated for sale to the public in 2000. · I2MS, a project documentation and interview tracking system · QMS, an application that facilitates quality management by tracking issues, actions, change orders, defects, etc. for large projects |
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Technology Planning & Implementation
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O'Neal Construction Ann Arbor, Michigan Currently providing ongoing network support. Reconfiguring a Windows NT Small Business Server to provide adequate security, secure Internet access, quicker network response and numerous other objectives. Reconfiguring the Exchange Server capabilities to better support O’Neal business processes. |
Aided organization in local area network migration from Novell NetWare to Windows NT environment. Configured NT Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, and workstations using Windows 98, Exchange Client, and Outlook for electronic mail messages. Trained staff in use of client/server environment and applicable software packages. |
Information Technology Evaluation
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City of Dearborn Dearborn, Michigan Assisted the City of Dearborn's Technology Committee streamline and consolidate its operations, eliminate non-essential services, and optimize overall level of resources involved in achieving its goals. This included definition of the role of the Technology Committee in relation to its five subcommittees, to MIS, and to City administration so that problems are efficiently resolved and progress is steady, definition of the role of the five subcommittees, and establishment of a one-year development plan to carry forward the recommendations of a previously-defined Technology Committee report. |
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division Lansing, Michigan Schumaker & Company delivered a comprehensive business process re-engineering strategy and a high-level project plan for systems redesign efforts to the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division (AQD). By working closely with AQD staff and understanding their needs, Schumaker & Company was able to outline process improvements, scope system improvements, and deliver a strategy that exceeded expectations. |
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State of Michigan Insurance Bureau Lansing, Michigan Studied and documented the computer systems, work flows, office space design, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, manual systems, telephone systems and processes used by the Consumer Assistance Section (CAS) and also interactions with other Bureau organizations. Based on the results of this extensive study and benchmark research into other similar customer service and help desk operations, recommended ways in which CAS could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations. |
Performed a study of ALLTEL Pennsylvania, its associated companies, and its parent company. One of the key focus areas was the use of information technology throughout its operations. The data processing organization providing services to ALLTEL PA was also investigated. This project was performed on behalf of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, a state oversight agency. |
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State of Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee At the request of a state oversight agency, performed a comprehensive review of Kingsport Power Company, an American Electric Power(AEP) operating company, including information technology functions, being provided to KgPCo by AEP Service Corporation. |
At the request of a state oversight agency, performed an in-depth review of information technology throughout the organization and an in-depth review of the company’s IT function, among other issues. |
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Pennsylvania At the request of a state oversight agency, performed in-depth investigation of corporate-wide information technology, among other issues.We found that PP&L, although attempting to improve its information technology and systems, had been unable in past years to accomplish their objectives.In this area alone, 18 major recommendations were made, including detailed steps necessary for bringing its IT function up-to-date.
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Information Technology Quality Assurance
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State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Imaging Project Lansing, Michigan Providing an oversight and quality assurance (QA) role for the Department of Environmental Quality’s records management program. Xerox is the imaging hardware and software provider for this project, which involves digital imaging, cataloging, and retention of environmental related documents (engineering drawings, photographs, and written documents). The project involved a diagnostic review of the existing situation, identifying issues currently impeding complete implementation, and suggesting a program for moving the project forward. Subsequently, we are providing implementation support for the Environmental Response and Storage Tank divisions, as well as other divisions and offices, as necessary. |
Provided quality assurance (QA) assistance to the Department of Community Health (DCH) as it began administration of over 29 medical assistance programs. Initially, provided quality assurance plan for the fast-track implementation of an Oracle-based application to a multiple department task force. Continued to provide QA services for functional requirements of the Oracle-based application and an off-the-shelf pre-screening software package. Developed master QA plan and provided QA support during implementation of that plan. Performed all typical QA functions, including: · Review, assessment, and monitoring of implementation schedules, work products and deliverables, and processes · Risk management and analysis · Issue tracking and resolution · Change control process and associated procedures · Independent QA testing and defects tracking · Budget performance monitoring and reporting · Status reports and project meetings |
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State of Michigan Department of Community Health Lansing, Michigan Assisted DCH management in developing a request for proposal (RFP) for an Executive Information System (EIS) and Decision Support System (DSS) to access the department’s managed care data on the State’s data warehouse. |
Acted as interim Quality Assurance monitor for developing, operating, and supporting the Child Support Enforcement System (CSES) centrally in Lansing and remotely at county offices throughout Michigan. Developed plans for implementation to migrate towards newer technology from an old character-based application running on mainframe computers. Developed analysis documents discussing strengths, weaknesses, and responsiveness of CSES activities, work products, and deliverables. Provided assistance in identifying testing requirements and developing test plans. Performed analysis of existing hardware, software and personnel contracts, including compliance with contract terms. Helped prepare and evaluate RFP documents for solicitation of vendors. |