Client Story - Blue Book Services, Inc.

Blue Book Services, Inc.

Client Since: August, 2003

Solution Type: Sage CRM, Customized with Classic ASP and ASP.NET / C#, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, Integrated with Quark, Integrated with Concord Fax, Integrated with Sage MAS Accounting, Integrated with Dow Jones, Integrated with Equifax, Integrated with Exchange 365

Sage CRM

Blue Book Services, Inc (BBSi), formerly known as Produce Reporter Co., is the preeminent source of performance, credit and marketing information for all facets of the produce industry since 1901. BBSi manages an immense amount of data and is constantly seeking better ways of gathering and using intelligence to serve the industry. BBSi implemented Sage CRM and has used it to improve almost all of their internal and customer-facing processes. Sage CRM has given BBSi the means to leverage their extensive database of companies and people in their industry to seek out new customers and improve retention of current customers. Travant configured and tailored BBSi's Sage CRM solution to create an enterprise system that BBSi uses for studying and rating companies and generating content for their publications, as well as for managing leads, opportunities, marketing campaigns, and customer support.

“Travant understood our business thoroughly. They showed us how to take full advantage of Sage CRM's capabilities and tailored an enterprise system that has evolved our organization's premier database. We now have the tools in place to rapidly analyze and publish high integrity information for our customers, create new and flexible information products, and mine our database for new customer, cross-selling, and up-selling opportunities.”

- Mark Erickson, Vice President of Technology and Publications

Solution Type:Microsoft ASP.NET web application written in C#, Microsoft ASP.NET web service written in C#, HTML5 / JQuery / AJAX, AJAX Control Toolkit, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, Windows Service written in C#, Integrated with Google Maps, Integrated with Verisign Payflow Pro, Utililies to allow data imports from over 12 external data feeds.

Blue Book Online Services

BBSi is the preeminent source of performance, credit and marketing information for all facets of the produce industry since 1901. Travant recently completed the successful implementation of a custom SageCRM software package. BBSi was ready for the next step of leveraging their new enterprise platform by replacing their decade old Electronic Blue Book (EBB) windows based software that was distributed on a quarterly basis to their customers via CD with a web-based application that their customers could easily access to view real-time data. BBSi also took this opportunity to keep the popular EBB functions, enhance other existing functions, and provide a variety of time-saving new functions. The BBOS system also allows BBSi to easily publish industry related new items in the BBOS application and via RSS feeds.

“Blue Book Online Services (BBOS) has been a complete success with our customers' particularly in terms of its functionality, appearance, and ease of use. This market success showcases Travant's technical acumen. Yet, the project's on-time and on-budget completion demonstrates the Travant team's project management expertise. Beyond delighting customers, BBOS also earned a 2008 "Model of Excellence" award from InfoCommerce Group. Travant has played a critical role in all of these achievements and we are very appreciative for their contributions during each phase of our current technology plan.”

- Jim Bartelson, Executive Vice President

Solution Type: Xamarin mobile application written in C#, Microsoft ASP.NET web API written in C#, Android and iOS, Microsoft SQL Server

Blue Book Online Mobile Application

The Blue Book Online Services Mobile (BBOS Mobile) is a streamlined version of BBSi's Blue Book Online Sevices. A subset of functionality was selected that would be most beneficial to users on mobile devices. Using object-oriented techniques, the BBOS Mobile native application leverages the same business object framework as the BBOS. Screen size and sreen component navigation mechanisms (stylus pointers, track ball, key pad) were taken into account in the screen design for this mobile device software application.

Blue Book Online Services Mobile

The Blue Book Online Services Mobile (BBOS Mobile) is a streamlined version of BBSi's Blue Book Online Sevices. A subset of functionality was selected that would be most beneficial to users on mobile devices. Using object-oriented techniques, the BBOS Mobile web application leverages the same business object framework as the BBOS, but utilized a new web interface targeted specially for mobile devices. Screen size and sreen component navigation mechanisms (stylus pointers, track ball, key pad) were taken into account in the screen design for this mobile device software application. iPhone, Andriod and Windows Mobile web browsers are all supported.

MAS ERP Integration

BBSi wanted to integrate the management of their memberships and related services with their accounting back office software. Travant assisted BBSi with the implementation of the MAS ERP (MAS 200) software and integrated it with their customized Sage CRM software. This integration allowed for sales orders taken in MAS to automatically enable fulfillment (which had previously required duplicated data entry) and to remove dependency on antiquated legacy applications. Travant customized Sage CRM and managed the customization of the MAS software to facilitate the integrated solution.

“Travant has been a trusted partner for many years. Their technical expertise and project management ensured a smooth integration of these platforms. Our order management and fulfillment processes are now greatly simplified.”