Modernization in Four Weeks
MECO is a full line Petroleum Equipment supplier serving the Southeastern US from their headquarters in
Atlanta. Their customers include federal, state and local governments; marinas, service stations and
convenience stores; fleet operators; and emergency power systems at hospitals, hotels and data centers.
Situation
After more than 50 years of business expansion, MECO needed to update systems.
Deliveries were documented on paper and entered into a 16-year-old System 21. There
were six data centers that used different system functionality. In this complex
technology environment, the company had only one staff IT professional.
The second generation of family management knew that there were costly errors and
inefficiencies and feared customer satisfaction was suffering.
The company launched a modernization project, but even after about a year of work,
the solutions they needed were not in sight.
The company needed an application and data- integration tool that would transcend
their newly installed Visual LANSA and looksoftware.
Enhanced Project Requirements
MECO needed a fully-integrated Windows desktop application connecting dozens of
different 5250 screens from the System 21 / Power IBM i System. A key requirement
was infinite flexibility in maneuvering through customer data in multiple 5250
screens, with full Web functionality.
Solution
MECO requested a test-drive – a Proof of Concept – and Surround Technologies
delivered it in only three days. The demo – using MECO data – made it clear that
Surround, and the power of The Accelerator™ architecture, was the solution.
The Surround Technology Consulting Services team delivered the final solution in
only four weeks. The solution fulfilled all the specs. The result is a user-friendly
Windows interface with full data integration and connectivity with the Web, Excel,
Google Maps, and Lotus Notes … and the unlimited capacity for future expansion.
Customer Feedback
"I estimate that we have improved the servicing and billing cycle productivity by
no less than 35%, more in some divisions that were even more manually intensive."
"We've reduced re-keying of information by probably 98% over the old system and may have
reduced hard copy paper use by 90%."
"The fact that we accomplished in four weeks what in a year another leading company’s tools
and services could not, well, doesn't that about say it all?"
"When I say it's great, I mean just that. Anyone can call me and hear the same."
Albert Johnson, IT Manager
MECO of Atlanta
"The internal productivity gains are significant. The users are so much happier now,
and our customers are getting serviced better and faster."
"But what others may miss that is so important to me, is the way the new system has brought
our branches together more and into a consistent operation. That business integration will be vital in our operations going forward."
Pam Scudder, Controller
MECO of Atlanta