Case Study 1: Externally-held Database Cost and Frustration

Problem: Global LPG Company was struggling in all departments due to problems with an externally maintained 

Database system. And every time a request for information or amendments is made it costs "silly money" and takes 

days or weeks.

Solution: Downloaded all the information held within this external database. Used this data to set up a system in 

MS Access. Creating many additional fields for easy and far more detailed analysis.

Result: This database  became the central source of information for the UK Company. 

Amongst many other projects using the database we have built regular monthly Trading Reports, a Profitability per 

Customer model,  business wide KPI’s, can easily undertake extensive sales analysis, we built a gas distribution model 

(which now aids the daily routing of tankers) and we were heavily involved in the selling of unprofitable areas of the 

business, and of course, the acquisition of profitable business.

And the key is that the database is in-house, easily maintained in-house and its easy to extract valuable information from it.

Case Study 2: Data Incompatibility

Problem: A leading High Street Chemist and a leading Supermarket are undergoing a trial. 9 small chemist's into large 

Supermarkets. 

The two companies EPOS systems cannot "talk to each other" so we need a method of linking the data together and 

of course, analysing this information.

Solution: The data is linked together within MS Access using bar-code numbers.

So the method used to analyse the success of multi-million pound store trials was using MS Office tools.

Result: This database became the information source for the trial, not only did it hold the records but provided extensive 

analysis of sales and transactions across the trial. And again utilising the full MS Office software it became very easy to 

drill into the information.

Case Study 3: Database inflexibility

Problem: An Art Charity had a old Access membership database which was built some years ago to a specific criteria. 

It was becoming very frustrating as the charity wanted to do more with it than it had been built to achieve.

Solution: The Data Analysts took the data from the database, tidied up this data and rebuilt the database. However the 

key to the success of this database was the training of the Charity's staff on the ease with which the data can be 

manipulated "at the back end". Drop down menu's on databases actually slow down the processes and limit the 

potential of the data within it.

Result: This database has given the Charity the opportunity to make more efficient their processes in many areas, 

e.g.: easily specify targeted mailings and analyse the location and response rates of their members. They can even move 

from mailing labels to window envelopes!

Case Study 4: Weekly faff

Problem: Many companies have excellent spreadsheets which provide valuable analysis. But just do not provide 

everything required for that report and so it takes time and "faff" to finalise the report.

Solution: The Data Analysts took the existing spreadsheet and using advanced tricks in Excel built additional methods 

which read from the same spreadsheet, so there is no changes in procedures e.g.: data inputting, just additional tools 

for the users which are easily understood once demonstrated.

Result: The weekly "faff" is eradicated by utilising tools available with MS Excel. The company were aware of these tools 

but had simply not had time to explore these new functions. Actually having the system built for them and then having the 

methods demonstrated allows a solution and a quick understanding of the new functions. 

No time required to learn the functions from scratch or days of training to get to a specific result.

Case Study 5: Really Useful Market Research Results

Problem: Market Research Companies provide excellent services but do not necessarily provide the answer to that 

important question. Particularly at the time of the survey, the problem or question may not be evident. 

Also all additional requests cost money.

Solution: Market Research data is extremely powerful, and using MS Office it is possible to really drill into the data 

further and answer those additional questions

Result: Utilising the raw data from a survey and MS Office applications it is easily possible to have "at your fingertips" 

answers to the deepest of questions. 2 strong examples are discussed in "Market Research Projects with specialist analysis".