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A Windows Desktop Hosting Solution
The Background
ADCOM WORLDWIDE offers specialized cargo transportation
and distribution services 24 hours a day, 365
days a year to customers around the world.
Their business model involves a broad range
of independent, licensed agents who are committed
to on-time delivery. Working with this agent
network, ADCOM finds the best carrier for the
best price to meet their customers’ freight
needs.
Founded in 1978 and based in Minneapolis, MN,
ADCOM has grown to 30 regional offices located
across the continental United States.
The Challenge
Throughout the company’s history, ADCOM
has found it difficult to keep up with ever-changing
information technology. First, they invested
heavily in a prepackaged hardware/software
solution. Soon, they learned that they needed
an in-house programmer to manage their software.
Then the Internet came along and created
new security risks and problems like viruses
and spam. They had to hire an additional programmer
to cope with their growing needs. Owning
and operating an in-house system that required
custom programming was very expensive and
frustrating. They began looking for a better
way to manage their use of information technology.
The Solution
ADCOM’s management team decided to investigate
the alternative of outsourcing to an Application
Service Provider (ASP). They believed that
an ASP could not just eliminate capital
equipment purchases and increase security and
uptime; but, an ASP could also greatly reduce
their dependence on their in-house IT staff—all
without increasing costs. It was this combination
of increasing network dependability and
gaining access to a team of competent and advanced
IT professionals that convinced them to
use an ASP.
After temporarily using an out-of-state
ASP, Bill Hafdal, Vice President of Business
Development for Solbrekk Business Technology
Solutions and a trusted advisor to ADCOM,
recommended switching to Netgain Technology
because he had firsthand experience with
Netgain. Bill knew that Netgain was committed
to providing the finest customer service,
and unlike most other ASPs, they had their
own state-of-the-art hosting center. ADCOM
made the switch in November 2005.
Now, all of
ADCOM’s data and software
are hosted at Netgain’s hosting center
in St. Cloud, MN, an extraordinarily secure
building made of poured reinforced concrete,
steel, brick and granite. Bob Friedman,
CEO, says “All of our expectations
have been met and exceeded with Netgain.” He
noted that from day one, Netgain’s
staff has quickly solved problems and any
kinks have been worked out smoothly and
easily. “Our
business is 24/7; every shipment is crucial.
There’s now more data protection
and network reliability and Netgain is
more up to speed than we could ever possibly
be.”
Today, Bob is comforted knowing that
he’s
found a trusted source for his technology needs,
a key element in the success of his nationwide
business. And he appreciates the ease and speed
in which things are handled. “In our
old world, it could take up to five days
to bring a regional office online. Now it
happens with the push of a few buttons.”
The Benefits
Bob feels that there are many benefits
of using Netgain’s services including:
- New technology means Bob and his staff no
longer have the headaches of trying to
stay current on technology trends. They can concentrate
on watching the trends in their own transportation
industry.
- Reliable computing assures information
is much more available across all of the regional
offices. ADCOM employees can serve their customers
more quickly and easily. Bob believes this
increases customer loyalty.
- Access to Netgain’s
knowledgeable, courteous and helpful staff
means ADCOM employees don’t
fumble through their own technical problems.
They can simply call Netgain to get their questions answered quickly.
As Bob looks to the future, he believes there
will be additional monetary savings. ADCOM
is converting to CargoWise, a freight forwarding
software for air and ocean operations. There
are plans to add a customer relationship management
(CRM) program as well. “With Netgain, these types of conversions will be much easier
than they’ve been in the past.” Bob adds, “I expect hard
cost savings and the reduction in hassle and staff time will be priceless.”
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