July 2003 Newsletter
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The Database Wore a Pink Slip
DSI distributes a monthly CD that summarizes medical insurance information for doctors all across Texas. Sounds simple, but health plans are really quite complex, and always changing.

After a couple of false starts to convert their ten-year-old DOS database to a modern Windows-based system, we were asked to take on the project.

We took it seriously. The sole purpose of this database system is to generate the sole product of the company. If the system goes down, their 25 employees have nothing to do, subscribers don’t get their updates and the business dries up.

The architecture of the old system proved to be sound, although the process of deciphering it was a major challenge. There were 25 tables and hundreds of fields to identify, map and relate.

We made major improvements to graphics and usability. Green-on-black all-text screens evolved into a color-coded interface with buttons and scripts to automate repetitive processes.

A flexible Report Generator replaced the sketchy pre-formatted output of the old system.

One day a few weeks into the project on a visit to DSI, I noticed a pile of pink handwritten 6 x 9 forms labeled “Message.”

“What are these?” I inquired.

“Pink Slips,” came the answer.

When a client called in with an update, these forms were filled out and carried upstairs to the appropriate employee and clipped to their door. On a busy day, over 100 Pink Slips are written. Someone was making pretty good wages (and getting a good workout) running up and down stairs all day.

We decided to make Pink Slips electronic, starting with the initial call from clients. Now there are pink “Chk Msg” buttons throughout the system so users can easily check for unresolved Messages.
Unlike a paper-based system, management now has an overview of Message activity. They can easily monitor, update and reassign Pink Slips from their desktops.

After four months of development and testing, the system went “live” 6 weeks ago, Dental Plans, Pink Slips and all.

We were onsite a few times the first couple of weeks refining, tweaking and correcting issues that hadn’t emerged during testing.

Then the support calls tapered off. We’re making a few enhancements here and there, retraining those that need it, and teaching Filemaker basics to an ad hoc administrator so simple revisions to the system can be made internally.

And that’s one of the ways we measure success. Clients invest their time, faith and money. We deliver a system that meets objectives and exceeds expectations without weekly (or daily) maintenance and troubleshooting.

Which means it’s time for them to get to work…and for us to go find another client.

Then there are smaller projects…
Drove north to the Magnolia ISD to troubleshoot a student database. Worked fine after compression, relocation and a little training.

Resolved network conflicts for a pediatrics practice. The office manager opted to put our Press Kit in the safe. Flattered? You bet.

And the personal assistant to Ben of Ben & Jerry’s fame made a $25 Tech Support Call to yours truly. Could be a small beginning to a beautiful friendship…

The Wisdom of Children
Purportedly from a contest where kids were asked to imitate “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy.”

(Age 6) For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. That’s what happens to cheese when you leave it out.

(Age 14) I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don’t have any clean laundry, because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?

(And to put Tom Green to shame…)
(Age 15) I like to go down to the dog pound and pretend that I’ve found my dog. Then I tell them to kill it anyway because I already gave away all of his stuff. Dog people sure don’t have a sense of humor.

Our dubious sense of humor aside…Call us if you need us.

Be well, do good work and keep in touch.

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