Lindal Valve design and manufacture valves, actuators and spraycaps for different kinds of aerosol-products.

On logging into the system a "dashboard" helps guide the operator to the most urgent tasks
 

The Technical Request notes field enables centralised storage of details of modifications and changes in specification
 

Page demonstrating the logical valve/sample specification workflow sequence
 

Software development brief

Analysis of the business process:

Before any coding could begin, it was necessary to work with the team to analyse and understand the many products supplied, the variance in the products, and the workflow through the business.

Having drawn schematics for the intricate product range, and for the whole business process, it was possible to design a Microsoft SQL Server database schema that would fit the data exactly. As with most database systems, accommodating real-world scenarios required some novel thinking, but has brought with it a more structured approach to the group's workflow.

Document and workflow management:

A key part of the group's function is to perform tests on valve combinations to ensure correct operation with the product. Tests often last several days, or even weeks, so a scheduling system was devised to ensure that "test actions" are performed at the correct intervals. On logging into the system a "dashboard" helps guide the operator to the most urgent tasks.

For each type of test a "master document" is maintained, with a clone document being created for each set of samples under test. This approach allows a wide range of activities to be managed in a flexible, yet controlled manner.

Documents may also be attached to customer records and sample sets, providing a structured repository for a wide range of client data.

A Client-Server database:

The primary use for the system is by a small number of in-house users. This allowed us to build the system using a simple client-server model. The system is built on the powerful MS SQL Server database, with a client application build using .Net 2.0 – the rapid development environment allowing us to offer extensive functionality within the allocated budget.

If you are interested in how a similar client-server database can help to run your business processes, please contact us.

To find out more about Lindal Valve, please visit the Lindal Group web site.

 

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