Case Studies
Inventory Management System Upgrade with SQL Server
This home manufacturing customer was rapidly growing causing unprecedented growth in the number of database environments it was required to manage and maintain. Accurate inventory management is critical and streamlining the process while reducing costs enables them to continue growing for years to come.
Technologies Supported
- SQL Server
- SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
- C#
The Challenge
A Need for a Single Standardized Database Environment
After acquiring multiple companies throughout their years of operation, this customer was dealing with issues associated with managing 6 disparate inventory systems on DB2. Multiple inventory systems lead to inconsistent processing and increased maintenance costs.
Additionally, they wanted to replace their DB2 database website backend with SQL Server. Using SQL Server would mean streamlined development, reduced maintenance efforts and standardizing their technologies on the Microsoft stack.
The customer had a clear set of goals:
- Reduce costs associated with managing multiple inventory systems
- Streamline their inventory management process
- Move to SQL Server and eliminate DB2 and AS400 completely
The Solution
Build a SQL Server System Designed For Future Growth
IncWorx architected and designed a SQL Server database system to house the normalized, combined data from all the DB2 systems. Using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Data Tools and C# we developed a state of the are inventory management system.
Some highlights of the solution include:
- Using SSIS packages, to
- Retrieve data from the DB2 systems by using C# in script tasks to call cursors in DB2.
- Loaded that data into staging tables
- De-duped and normalized data
- Loaded that data into the permanent tables
- Created design documentation for database and ETL processes.
The Outcome
Optimized Inventory Processing and Reduced Maintenance Tasks
Completion of the SQL Server inventory management upgrade project made an immediate positive impact on the customer’s day-to-day inventory processing. It also reduced the IT team’s daily, weekly and monthly maintenance tasks.
The Conclusion
Realizing the Benefits of a Modern Solution Built on the Microsoft Technology Stack
As your organization grows, the technology that supports it can quickly grow out of control. The SQL Server platform and its SSIS reporting capabilities were a clear choice for this project as the customer was already using Microsoft technology. Working with IncWorx, our customer was able to eliminate 6 outdated inventory systems quickly and accurately. The move to a single streamlined system was quick and efficient with limited downtime based on testing.