Client Overview
Ruggles Sign Company is an international leader in designing, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining a wide range of signs, including illuminated, free-standing, metal, LED, neon, and custom signage.
Challenge
The company’s Legacy Tracker software application, developed in MS Access with a SQL Server backend, needed modernization to support its growing operations. The outdated system lacked scalability, advanced functionality, and efficient workflows, leading to increased maintenance costs and inefficiencies.
Solution
Ruggles Sign Company partnered with SITEK to replace the Legacy Tracker system with Tracker 2.0, a role-based Windows application built using the .NET framework.
SITEK’s comprehensive approach included:
Requirement Analysis: Collaborated closely with the client to analyze the existing MS Access application, capturing user stories to understand the business needs.
Design Documentation: Created a detailed design document outlining:
- Functionality and design of screens (using Microsoft Visio).
- Screen controls, field validations, and security configurations.
- Dropdown values and actions tied to screen events.
Development Proposal: Provided a clear proposal detailing timelines, task-specific hour estimates, costs, and a change control plan to manage scope adjustments.
Development Process:
- Migrated legacy data to a new database structure.
- Delivered iterative builds, with regular status reports and client testing every 15 days.
- Addressed issues promptly, prioritizing fixes during development iterations.
Technology Stack
- Application Development: C#, .NET Framework
- Mobile App: Xamarin Forms for cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows Phone)
Results
- Tracker 2.0: Delivered within eight months, the application supported 100–125 users and significantly reduced maintenance costs through optimized design and improved scalability.
- Mobile App: Enabled field users to capture and upload job-related photos directly into the system, eliminating manual workflows.
- Cost and Time Efficiency: The project was completed within the estimated time and budget (3,000+ hours).
Key Benefits
- Enhanced functionality and user experience.
- Role-based access ensuring better security.
- Improved operational efficiency through seamless data migration and modernized workflows.
- Real-time updates from the field using the mobile app, boosting productivity.
Conclusion
SITEK’s expertise in modernizing legacy systems and delivering tailored solutions helped Ruggles Sign Company achieve a robust, scalable, and user-friendly application that supports its complex operations while reducing maintenance costs. The successful deployment of Tracker 2.0 and its mobile app underscores SITEK’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions aligned with client needs.
