CASE STUDY: CETRA Latex-Free

Problem
CETRA is a medical supply and information services company offering a
comprehensive line of latex-free products. To alert healthcare providers
about the latex content in common medical products and packaging, CETRA
previously sold a FileMaker-based CD-ROM reference tool. However, this
format had significant drawbacks:

• Frequent product changes required ongoing production and distribution of updates
• Customers in large organizations found it cumbersome to share information contained within a single CD-ROM

Solution
We transformed the CD-ROM tool into a secure, subscription-driven Extranet application, so CETRA’s web hosting company could manage its availability. The conversion required attention to multiple technical requirements:

• Although the FileMaker database remained the “master” version to facilitate easy updates, the data was exported to MySQL to simplify web hosting
• The web interface was built with our FileSpring software (a combination of PHP and extensions), to accommodate advanced security features (including automated log-in tracking, machine-specific log-in intelligence and notification of account expirations)
• Web-based administrative functions were built into the system, so CETRA staff could manage these functions within a simple browser environment

Results
By eliminating its CD-ROM production and distribution process, CETRA realized substantial direct and indirect cost savings. What’s more, customers immediately benefited by no longer needing to redistribute information updates within their organizations. The risk of access to potentially fatal outdated information was virtually eliminated. And this web-based approach opened doors to new business from large customers who rejected CD-ROM subscriptions.

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