Eagle Flyer - June 2003


	Placemakers Data Warehouse Administrator Stuart Lubbock (left) with Information Systems Manager Peter Macrae.

PlaceMakers, New Zealand's largest supplier of building materials and hardware has recently commenced the implementation of Business Objects Business Intelligence (BI) solution to support its branch and support office users within the enterprise. PlaceMakers recognises the importance of providing users with current information and reporting facilities at critical decision points when and where it is needed.

Eagle Technology provided PlaceMakers with Business Objects™ InfoViewR, a BI Portal that collects, consolidates and presents PlaceMakers BI information to stakeholders. Business Objects™, WebIntelligenceR, the most powerful thin client web query, reporting and analysis tool on the market and Business Objects™, Broadcast AgentR, for the delivery of alerts and/or important information whenever and wherever decision makers require it.

At this stage the support office users are the first to use Business Objects. When fully implemented, current information will be able to be accessed by users from all data sources, whether the requirement is financial, sales, marketing, procurement or distribution. With more than fifty trade and retail outlets spread around New Zealand.

PlaceMakers will soon be able to access, analyse and share current information from any of its outlets. PlaceMakers have two Oracle Databases, one for the Oracle Financials Application, and the "MADRE" data warehouse, the repository of data from its stores.

PlaceMakers although in the early stages of implementation are already seeing returns on this latest investment in the Business Objects business intelligence solution. For example a particular sales report that previously took one and a half days to create now takes half an hour.

PlaceMakers commitment to Business Objects is further proof of the importance of business intelligence to large companies today. Management and users need current information as it is now and they need to be able to extract this information themselves without untimely delays.

With Business Objects management at PlaceMakers will be provided with an integrated and dynamic view of the business, which will help achieve operational excellence.

architecture Warren & Mahoney Limited, which is arguably New Zealand's pre-eminent architectural practice, has chosen BST Enterprise as its professional services automation solution and Eagle Technology as its provider.

BST Enterprise is a 100 percent web based e-Business solution connecting project, financial, and employee time management processes into a secure single database environment.

architecture Warren & Mahoney was founded by Miles Warren in Christchurch in 1955 and in 1958 he was joined by Maurice Mahoney and the partnership of Warren & Mahoney was established. A Wellington office was opened in 1974, and the Auckland office in 1986. The partnership was incorporated as a company in 1985 and today employs over 50 professional staff across the three offices.

architecture Warren & Mahoney is committed to maintaining its position as a leading architectural practice in New Zealand, building on its reputation for high quality award winning work and continuing a track record of innovation in design and support systems.

Award winning designs include such projects as the Christchurch Town Hall, TVNZ's Network Centre in Auckland, the National Aquarium in Napier and the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

A contributing factor in the company's success has been its adoption of the most advanced computer technology and IT systems available. It was among the first in New Zealand to make a significant investment in computer systems and has continued to use some of the most advanced computer aided design, graphics and document administration systems available.

In selecting BST Enterprise for its professional services automation solution, architecture Warren & Mahoney now has a world-class application handling all operational functions including time capture, project management, billing and financial management in a single integrated solution.

Being entirely web-based, architecture Warren & Mahoney staff has access to the system via a browser, from all offices and where permitted, from their private residences, to enter timecard information, establish projects and monitor them through their life cycle.

Garry Duncan, Financial Director of architecture Warren & Mahoney says, "The practice has been investigating professional services automation solutions which have been offered in the market place or in use in other practices for more than five years.

"We consider BST Enterprise the best integrated solution we have seen.


Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

"BST offers the greatest potential return to the practice in terms of practice efficiency, competitiveness and ultimately profitability.

"Having access to the system at every desktop is vital. It means we can capture relevant information as it happens or to find up-to-date and accurate information when needed to manage projects or respond to questions. We expect to significantly improve job satisfaction and the quality of our decision-making.

"One of the attractions of BST Enterprise has been the ability for us to start at a level a few steps above where we presently are and to add value to our information and processes as we gain experience using the system," says Mr Duncan

Implementation of BST Enterprise is a joint project involving architecture Warren & Mahoney staff and Eagle Technology product specialists.

BST Enterprise is used by over 500 professional service organisations worldwide and is marketed and supported in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the United Kingdom by Eagle Technology.

Cook Strait swim supported by Eagle

On 11 April 2003 Auckland University Batchelor of Property student Jeremy Gray (21) became the 57th person to swim Cook Strait. Jeremy swam north to south and recorded the second fastest time in that direction, since the swims began in 1962. Eagle Technology, Fidelity Life Insurance, Liberty Life Insurance, and Olympic Pools and Fitness Centre sponsored the 22.5 kilometre swim.

Jeremy won Auckland's Eagle Technology Bays swim in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and Eagle Technology Rangitoto Swims in 2001 and 2002. Eagle welcomed the opportunity to sponsor Jeremy's Cook Strait attempt.

Jeremy's training for the Strait meant seven to eight sessions a week in Henderson's local pool and swimming long distances in Auckland's harbour.

He believes the harbour swims helped him get used to long, cold and choppy swimming conditions he experienced in the Strait.

"The swim took 7 hours 25 minutes and the last three hours were extremely difficult due to strong tides working against me," says Jeremy

"My friend Steve Peterson swam with me for about three and a half hours and having my Dad on the support boat was very encouraging.

"I was anticipating the water temperature to be around 16 to 17 degrees so I was surprised, at the end, when they told me it had dropped to 14.5 degrees at one stage.

"I appreciate the support I have received from Eagle Technology. The company's contribution helped make the swim possible," says Jeremy.

Hutt City Property Information Online

Hutt City Council launched its Geographic Information System (GIS) based Property Enquiry System in July 2002. This extremely popular service allows customers to view, via www.huttcity.info.nz, an aerial photo and boundary map with rating and valuation information of any property in the City free of charge.

The system is part of the Council's e-business strategy and in line with the e-Government strategy that encourages public sector organisations to improve access to public information.

"Providing property information to ratepayers is a core function of councils," says Hutt City Council GIS Manager Greg Drummond.

"It makes sense to make any public domain information available 24 hours a day using the Internet.

"Access is quick and easy and the user does not need to understand spatial databases or property systems.

"The Property Enquiry System is an invaluable tool for prospective property purchasers and homeowners alike. The system has also been well received by local Real Estate agents who previously needed to visit or phone the Council to obtain this type of information," says Mr Drummond.

User activity is limited to one property searched at a time. This addresses privacy concerns and mirrors the ability to search the paper records held in the Council's administration office.

Each night the Property Enquiry System is updated with property valuation information.

In early 2002 the Council recognised it could improve rating information by using the Internet and adding geographic data. A number of different solutions were available at the time, ranging from buying pre-packaged solutions, using templates, or getting a consultant to build one from scratch.

The Council has used Environmental Systems Research Institute's (ESRI) mapping software for over 10 years so it decided the best decision was to build on the existing investment in software and expertise.

"Using existing mapping software meant the service was inexpensive to commission and was well placed for expansion (to include other property services online).

"Through its use of sophisticated, yet easy to use Internet Mapping, it has created one of the first and most effective information products available to its public."

To promote information sharing, Hutt City Council has commenced a schedule of presentations about its Property Enquiry System to relevant user groups. Additionally, it has developed an implementation toolkit to share with others within Local Government.

Eagle Technology National GIS Account Director Peng Aik Lim says, "The Council represents one of the most mature and advanced GIS technology users in New Zealand local government. It has been using GIS software provided by Eagle for many years. It uses ESRI's ArcGIS including ArcInfo, ArcView, ArcSDE 8 and ArcIMS 4."

"The Council's Internet application is based on a template which comes with ArcIMS. It was a simple process to customise the template to suit the Council's need."

Stop Press

Following the success of the Internet GIS project, Hutt City has recently selected Enterprise View (EView) Web Portal product from Eagle Technology to be implemented over the Council's Intranet. EView was chosen from a short list of three products after an extensive tendering and evaluation process.

"Hutt City Council is highly focused on customer service. Through its use of sophisticated, yet easy to use Internet Mapping, it has created one of the first and most effective information products available to its public," says Peng Aik.

Colour photographs and more GIS information, such as water connections, are additions planned in the near future. In the longer term it is intended that the service will be a portal for all Council property enquiries. For example, providing the ability to purchase larger sized photographs, and placing an order for a Land Information Memorandum (LIM) reports.

Those users who require more detailed GIS information, such as engineers to assist with property planning and regulatory work undertaken within the city, are also catered for in the long-term plans for the site.

Eagle Technology and business consultants, LSI Consulting have formed a strategic alliance.

Eagle and LSI now provide a total Business Intelligence solution unmatched in New Zealand, by providing Enterprise Performance Management consulting within a Business Objects Analytics framework.

LSI Consulting is a privately owned New Zealand company. It was established in 1989 and now has offices in Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore servicing clients throughout the Pacific Rim.

LSI provides business consulting to organisations by analysing their current systems, establishing the value of change, designing and developing new systems and staff training in the use of these systems. Once installed putting in place the appropriate KPIs (key performance indicators) for managers to monitor and manage by exception, ensuring continual alignment with the organisations strategic goals.

Business Objects business intelligence products provide both query and reporting tools plus the more powerful Business Objects Analytics with pre-built analytic applications to deliver one consistent, integrated view of the enterprise. By providing pre-built applications such as Customer Intelligence, Product and Services Intelligence, Supply Chain Intelligence and Operations Intelligence valuable implementation time is saved. Additionally, organisations are able to take advantage of industry best-practice. An organisation can also build its own application allowing it to create a tight fit with its particular business practices and to innovate in ways that gain competitive advantage.

"All businesses are different but they have many problems in common: maximising the value of customers through effective sales and marketing, improving the efficiency of the supply chain, minimising operational costs, and managing product life cycles," says Eagle's Business Development Manager, Chris Lines.

"Each of these areas has its own specialists using dedicated operational systems to manage day-to-day activities. Each generates large quantities of data that must be analysed and immediately available if the right business decisions are to be made.

"Forming an alliance with LSI has obvious advantages for both groups. Jointly they can offer the customer a comprehensive solution being Enterprise Performance Management and the tools to make it easy to maintain."

LSI Consulting IT Director, David Pollard explains, "Enterprise Performance Management enables many organisations to leverage greater value out of their existing IT investments. They integrate information across the complete value chain and combine advanced technologies and analytics with key processes to positively affect individual behaviour.

We see Business Objects as best in class and Eagle well placed to install and support it."

How much time per day does the average Outlook user waste contemplating which emails to delete in order to stay within his/her mailbox storage limit? How many times per year is additional disk space added to an organisation's Microsoft Exchange (MS Exchange) environment?

A number of industry analysts estimate that there are, on average, three copies of every email message (and associated attachments) on corporate systems.

Exchange Archive Solution (EAS) is an advanced email management solution for MS Exchange. EAS automatically migrates emails from MS Exchange into a separate storage area on an organisations network.

By using EAS, organisations can recover two thirds of the space currently required to store email messages.

EAS enhances user access to information and increases server performance and scalability without limiting the use of email. It ensures users always have access to their messages and associated attachments throughout the message's life cycle.

Once archived, emails and their attachments remain seamlessly accessible via shortcuts in Outlook or using a powerful, Outlook-integrated search form. All the while emails are kept secure and protected.

EAS overcomes the constraints of storage and facilitates long-term user access to email. This allows MS Exchange to strictly focus on message flow and performance.

EAS helps organisations comply with email retention requirements imposed on them, as well as implement a centrally managed, auditable email retention policy.

When a message is migrated from the MS Exchanger server to the archive, a message pointer (stub) is left behind in place of the original message in the user's Outlook mailbox for quick retrieval. EAS does not strip the attachment from the message body.

EAS goes one step further by compressing archived messages by at least 50 percent.

As well as providing the ongoing archive service for MS Exchange, EAS is able to migrate the contents of all existing Personal Storage Files (.PST) into the central Document Store. The EAS .PST migration delivers huge space savings by bringing back Single Instance Storage (SIS) to the .PST data and by applying compression at an average ratio of 2:1.

The potential savings in hardware are significant. By using EAS to archive prior to any server migration, organisations can streamline migration times and minimise downtime. EAS delivers a great improvement in migration efficiency, especially when moving large volumes of users to MS Exchange 2000. Beyond expediting migration times, EAS reduces the chance of database corruption on MS Exchange and augments migration disaster recovery.

Most organisations have some form of disaster recovery strategy for their MS Exchange environment.

Regardless, restoring an MS Exchange server is still tedious and time consuming. EAS provides a simple restore interface for administrators to access the archive and select items, folders, or mailboxes to be restored instantly.

As many as 20 per cent of the approximately 42,000 officially registered Round the Bays 2003 participants registered and bought their T-shirts online. The site www.roundthebays.co.nz was designed and built by Eagle Technology's Strategic Data team. Strategic Data also hosts and maintains the site.

Suburban Newspapers Ltd and Auckland Joggers Club own the Round the Bays event, held this year on 16 March.

"Eagle has worked on various projects with Suburban Newspapers' owners INL Newspapers which recommended Eagle to event managers Pants Events Ltd," says Eagle Technology's Strategic Data Manager Grant Williams.

"Building the site was quite a complex business. It was deliberately kept simple while providing a whole suite of applications and database reports behind it for administering the run.

"It also had to be robust enough to collect and hold data at an ever-increasing rate.

"We have done similar behind the scenes programming on various commercial sites but had not been involved in a live event before," says Mr Williams.

Pants Events Catherine Leitch says, "We wanted a site where entrants could register quickly and easily and receive an online receipt.

"As well as registration details and T Shirt orders the database recorded individual and team member's finishing times. It has a password-protected area to allow participants access to their own or their team's results.

"The information was also used after the event to produce the certificates sent to participants.

"The details of activities at St Heliers after the run were included with detailed maps of the corporate sites and barbecue areas. Many of the corporate sites at Madills Farm and Glover Park were also booked online," says Ms Leitch.

Other features included information for late entrants, a training programme, a timetable for buses to and from the event and a map of the 8.4 kilometre course.

All transactions were either paid for by cheque or credit card. The site used dedicated online payment processing company DPS to process online payments. All transactions were carried out via encrypted secure socket layer (SSL) connections to guarantee both privacy and security.

Placemakers set the pace with Business Objects™

Hutt City Property Information Online