Atlantic Relocation Systems Case History Atlantic Relocation Systems (ARS), agents for Atlas Van Lines, is an integrated network of agents specializing in corporate relocations. It is the largest van line agency in North America. Like most businesses, ARS undertook a monumental task in 1999: upgrading and replacing its non-Y2K compliant applications with more powerful new client/server applications. That problem was compounded by the fact ARS has 11 agency locations from Sarasota, Florida to Anaheim, California, supported by a staff of 700 employees and a fleet of 600 trucks. The system had to work for everyone, everywhere.

"Our business plan required the corporation to surpass our competitors in quality of service, while improving our bottom line through standardization and efficiency," said Rich Reed, Atlantic’s CFO. "We realized we needed new applications and went searching for business solutions." ARS’ new solution was Solomon IV for Windows, and Move Magic, an industry-specific dispatch and tracking system from Consensus Software. The next step was to select the right network technology, and the right integration partner. "I was given a goal of building a nationwide network that would be stable, easy to manage, and require minimal additions to the MIS staff," said Julie Johnson, Director of MIS. Several companies designed a distributed network, with servers in each branch connected to corporate headquarters over frame relay links. But ARS realized that would require more technical employees, and an investment in expensive hardware. Computer Generation Incorporated (CGI) had a better idea. CGI designed a nationwide network based on the Windows NT platform. In the new system, ARS’ critical applications run on two Windows NT Terminal Server-based servers, and databases and files will be housed on an easily accessible Windows NT Server Enterprise cluster. Atlantic Relocation liked the Microsoft platform thanks to its tight integration and the breadth of its BackOffice server products. Since all of ARS’ requirements will be met with Microsoft Products, training and support costs would be reduced by 25-percent through standardization. "Computer Generation has designed and built dozens of network solutions using Microsoft BackOffice products," said CGI sales consultant Mark Milligan. "The consistency and reliability Microsoft affords in an environment such as that of ARS is a key element in creating a finished product that will meet the client’s needs now and in the future." CGI recommended a phased rollout. Phase I consisted of building one-half of the Windows NT Server Enterprise Cluster and installing a Windows NT Terminal Server at ARS’ corporate headquarters. CGI then connected the company’s Tucker, Georgia and Phoenix operations with its Atlanta headquarters using Cisco routers and frame relay links. Feedback from that initial design was so positive, ARS awarded CGI the balance of the project. In Phase Two, the finished product serves more than 350 users at 10 branches running critical applications from the Atlanta-based Terminal Server, while key databases and Microsoft Exchange will run on NT for the quickest access. Even as the project was still being implemented, ARS saw positive results. "We estimate ARS has been able to reduce frame relay costs by 33 percent by using the Windows NT Server, Terminal Edition," Reed said. "Multiply that savings by 10 frame relay links, and the yearly savings are substantial." Using CGI’s solution eliminated the need for extra staff, and increased efficiency. "ARS avoided hiring seven new MIS employees," Johnson said. "In addition to cutting deployment time by a third, we were also able to replace dead PCs with low-cost, easy to manage terminals. That should boost employee productivity by 40 percent." Johnson said. Microsoft Software used: Windows NT Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition Exchange 5.5, Enterprise Edition Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Microsoft Sequel Server 7.0 SNA Server BackOffice CAL Terminal Server CAL Windows NT Workstation CPUP Office ’97 Standard Edition Office ’97 Standard Edition CPUP Other Software Used Solomon IV for Windows Move Magic-Consensus Software WYSE Windows-based terminals