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Watson Furniture internal microsoft access application migration to web application

CASE STUDY: Transforming Watson Furniture’s Production System

Client Overview

Watson Furniture is a prominent furniture manufacturer known for its high-quality, timeless office furniture. Their production processes relied on a legacy Microsoft Access application that was critical for managing workflows but presented significant limitations due to its outdated architecture.

 

Objectives

The primary goal was to modernize Watson Furniture’s Access-based application into a robust, web-based solution. This new application needed to:

 

  • Address performance bottlenecks and significantly improve speed.
  • Provide seamless integration with their Frontier ERP system, running on IBM Db2.
  • Eliminate the need for local installations and resolve conflict management issues caused by shared Access tables.
  • Reduce code bloat from years of add-ons and modifications by refining the application to include only essential features.
  • Ensure scalability and reliability for future growth.

 

Challenges

  1. Performance Limitations: The Access application was slow and required local installation on each user’s computer, which led to inefficiencies and synchronization issues.
  2. Code Bloat: Years of add-ons and modifications had resulted in a bloated codebase that needed thorough analysis and refinement to meet current requirements.
  3. Conflict Management: Shared Access tables caused frequent data conflicts, complicating collaborative workflows.
  4. Query Conversion: The project required converting hundreds of Access queries to SQL while ensuring compatibility with a linked SQL Server and the IBM Db2 database used by the Frontier ERP system.
  5. Complex Integration: Establishing a robust link between the new application and the Frontier ERP system demanded careful planning and execution.

Solution

Sandcastle developed a modern, web-based application using Blazor.NET and .NET Core, leveraging a clean architecture approach for maintainability and scalability.

This project is an example of our custom business solutions for complex workflows.

Key components of the solution included:

 

  • Database Modernization: Migrated all Access-based data and queries to SQL Server. Established a linked server to the IBM Db2 database for seamless integration with Frontier ERP.
  • Improved Performance: Optimized database queries and application workflows, reducing processing times from minutes to seconds.
  • Code Refinement: Analyzed and refined the application’s codebase, removing unnecessary features and focusing on essential functionality.
  • Conflict Resolution: Eliminated the need for shared Access tables, centralizing data in SQL Server to ensure data consistency.
  • Web Accessibility: Enabled a browser-based interface, removing the need for local installations and ensuring accessibility across devices.
  • Advanced Development Practices: Implemented the Repository Pattern, Unit of Work Pattern, and Dependency Injection (DI) for clean separation of concerns and enhanced maintainability.

 

Technology Stack

The project utilized modern technologies to deliver a scalable and efficient solution:

 

  • Blazor Server: For interactive, real-time web interfaces with a lightweight client footprint.
  • .NET Core 8: Providing a robust backend framework with long-term support.
  • Entity Framework Core: Simplified data access and management with LINQ and database migrations.
  • MudBlazor: Material Design UI components for a sleek and user-friendly interface.
  • Serilog: Advanced structured logging for effective monitoring and debugging.
  • AutoMapper: Simplified object-to-object mapping for cleaner code.
  • FluentValidation: Clean and maintainable validation logic.

 

Results

  • Significant Performance Gains: The new system reduced processing times from several minutes to mere seconds, drastically improving efficiency and improved scalability due to its modern technology stack.
  • Centralized Data Management: The SQL Server implementation eliminated data conflicts and provided a reliable data management backbone.
  • Seamless ERP Integration: The linked server setup ensured smooth communication between the new application and the Frontier ERP system, streamlining production workflows.
  • Enhanced User Experience: Employees could now access the application securely from any device, increasing productivity and reducing IT overhead.
  • Improved Maintainability: The clean architecture and refined codebase made the application easier to maintain and extend.

 

Client Feedback

Watson Furniture praised the transformation, highlighting the vast improvement in speed and reliability. The new system has become a cornerstone of their operations, enabling them to meet production demands more effectively and focus on innovation.

 

Conclusion

By modernizing Watson Furniture’s production system, Sandcastle delivered a modern solution that not only resolved existing challenges but also positioned the client for sustained growth. This project exemplifies the power of technology to enhance operational efficiency and support business success.

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