For the start–up company, the basic idea had real potential, but their first implementation of it was labor–intensive and paper–intensive. The start–up company asked B–Three Solutions to transform the system into a web–enabled application.

B–Three designed and implemented an application that enables client firms to upload sales data and related information. Investment account deposits, fees, and distributions are then calculated automatically. The web–based application is fully integrated with the QuickBooks accounting package, thus automating the generation of client invoices.

Objectives and Requirements
The objective of the project was to construct, for the City of Pittsburgh, a new image repository for tax documents.  The new repository replaced a system that was not web–enabled and was hampered by batch processing requirements.  The City required a new repository that was fully functional and easy to maintain, and able to be expanded and adapted to the City’s changing needs.

Another key requirement was to integrate the new repository with the City’s Integrated Self–Assessed Tax (ISAT) system, a legacy application developed in–house.  ISAT users required these capabilities:

• • Add new tax documents to the repository.
• • Access stored images from within the ISAT application.
• • Annotate or mark up a document without altering the original image.

Design and Development
B–Three began the project with a series of meetings with City personnel, and then distilled those discussions into a detailed Design Specification for the City’s approval.  The document included detailed definitions of the requirements for integration of the two off–the–shelf software products with the custom software of the legacy application.  On the basis of those detailed definitions, the necessary software modifications were later developed.

Microsoft SharePoint was the commercial software foundation on which the image repository was built.  Through SharePoint and .NET, B–Three created a series of web services that provided the necessary integration between the image repository and the ISAT client interface.  Another commercial software product (KnowledgeLake Capture) was then incorporated into the solution to provide scanning, viewing, and annotation capabilities.  Extensive system testing was conducted, to ensure that the software modifications had been successfully integrated with the legacy application and the two off–the–shelf packages.

Watched Directory Module
After completing this integration, B–Three enhanced the repository with a Watched Directory module.  This custom application monitors a specified directory.  Each document saved to the directory is automatically imported into the image repository via SharePoint.  After this component had been integrated into the repository, the system was again tested and tuned.

Legacy Data
After all the new software had been thoroughly tested, thousands of tax documents were extracted from the old repository, transformed as necessary, and loaded into the new system.

Documentation and Training
In preparing the technical and end–user documentation, B–Three created material that would mesh with the documentation provided with the off–the–shelf software.  The new material covered the modifications made by B–Three.

With the documentation in hand, B–Three provided training to end users and system administrators.  Because this was the City’s first SharePoint system — and the forerunner of other SharePoint applications — it was particularly important to provide thorough training for the system administrators.

After training had been completed and all the legacy data had been imported, the new system was put into production.

The client firm had a large number of internal reports — some created in Impromptu and others using Crystal Reports — running against an Oracle 10g database.  The client engaged us to convert approximately 100 key reports to Cognos 8.

A critical step in organizing the work on the project was up–front analysis of the complexity of each report.  During the conversion process, a number of the client’s most complex reports were enhanced, with improvements to the internal business logic, the efficiency of execution, and the presentation of the report data.  Beyond that, database improvements were identified and implemented to improve overall system performance.

Working on a fixed–fee, fixed–timeline basis, we brought in a team of developers and finished the project ahead of schedule.  For fixed–fee projects of this nature, our contract with the client includes a one–year warranty on the software we develop.  Before the report conversion project had even reached its midpoint, the client firm expressed its satisfaction with the work by contracting with us for two other projects.

This breakdown summarizes the work managed by B–Three Solutions:

• • Computerizing the reports filled out by police officers investigating crimes.
• • Enabling officers to enter their reports via laptop computers in the squad cars.
• • Upgrading the Police Bureau’s crime plotting GIS application.
• • Implementing a customized data warehouse for crime investigators.
• • Enabling officers in the field to enter, print, and issue non–traffic and traffic citations.

Replacing Paper Reports
The first phase was to computerize the incident reports that are filled out by officers investigating crimes.  Paper reports were replaced by data entered directly into an Oracle database.  The application — the Automated Police Reporting System (APRS) — was initially rolled out to networked desktop computers in police stations throughout the City.  This phase had the impact of standardizing and upgrading the City’s crime data, streamlining the report approval process, and automating the propagation of data to other applications.

Beginning in this phase of the project, B–Three worked with Police Bureau personnel to develop and provide on–site classroom training for the users.  This aspect of the project was critically important to ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.  Pittsburgh’s police force includes more than 900 officers, and they were making the switch from a paper’based system to computerized reports.

This critical transition was addressed in the training associated with the first phase of the project, in which B–Three rolled out the desktop version of APRS.  The officers became familiar with the standard features of the report screens, such as drop–down lists and auto–population of fields in subordinate reports.  Just as important, they learned about important procedural points, such as the process for supervisor review and approval of reports.

“Mobilizing” the Application
The second phase produced a fully functional version of APRS that enables police officers to enter their reports via Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs — laptop computers equipped with Sprint Air Card technology) in the squad cars.  Incorporated into this application is the Remote Data Broker (RDB), a software product developed by B–Three Solutions.  The RDB is unique, because it does not rely on a persistent Internet connection.  The entry of report data by an officer is not affected by the loss of a connection.  The system will “push” the reports back to headquarters when the software detects a valid network connection, thus ensuring that data is never lost.  The RDB also handles the rollout of software upgrades to all of the individual MDTs in the field.  There is no need to bring the units to a central location for upgrading, or for support staff to travel to each unit.

Upgrading GIS Application
MapStats, a GIS application, was upgraded.  The Police Bureau uses the MapStats crime plotting system to analyze trends in criminal activity and deploy its resources effectively.  MapStats utilizes the ArcSDE component of ESRI’s ArcIMS environment.  Crime data comes from the APRS Oracle database.  B–Three upgraded MapStats to Version 9 of ArcIMS, and also updated the census data used by the application.

Empowering Crime Investigators
The Modus Operandi (MO) system was created for use by Pittsburgh’s crime investigators.  The MO system operates against a data warehouse in which hundreds of thousands of APRS reports have been optimized for searching.  Customized algorithms give investigators the ability to perform complex queries against the data.

Creating eCitations Module
After APRS had been in use city–wide for more than a year, the application was expanded to include an eCitations module.  By means of eCitations, a police officer in the field can enter, print, and issue non–traffic and traffic citations.  The design of the application will readily accommodate an anticipated future upgrade — scanning of the barcode on a driver’s vehicle registration.

Managing Wireless Communications
The Automated Code Enforcement application replaces a paper–based system with custom software installed on Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs — handheld computers equipped with Sprint Air Card technology).  The MDTs communicate from the field to BBI headquarters via the Remote Data Broker (RDB), a software product developed by B–Three.  The RDB is unique, because it does not rely on a persistent Internet connection.  The entry of data by an inspector is not affected by the loss of a connection.  The system will “push” the inspection report back to headquarters when the software detects a valid network connection, thus ensuring that data is never lost.  The RDB also handles the rollout of software upgrades to all of the individual MDTs in the field.  There is no need to bring the units to a central location for upgrading, or for support staff to travel to each unit.

Transforming Internal Workflow
The old paper–based system required an inspector to return to the office with the paper forms, look up ownership details for the property, and type the inspection report into a desktop computer.  Using the new system, the inspector enters the data at the site of the inspection (obtaining the necessary ownership details by clicking a link to the City’s real estate database), transmits the finished report, and moves on to the next inspection.  During the day, as new cases are assigned, they show up on the inspector’s MDT.  According to a City press release (09/17/2008), the application “will cut the time it takes for inspectors to process code enforcement violations from four days to one.”

Upgrading Service to Citizens
The Automated Code Enforcement application is integrated with the Mayor’s 311 Service Center, which receives a wide variety of calls from citizens.  A complaint routed to BBI for investigation can now be rapidly transformed into an enforcement assignment for an inspector in the field.  Inspection reports that identify violations generate the appropriate citation letters, ready to be printed and mailed to property owners.  At each stage in the process, the status of the complaint is updated in the 311 system, so that the individual who submitted the complaint can readily track the City’s handling of the situation.

The application is also integrated with the Disruptive Property Management system, which monitors all properties in the City for recurring violations.  Any property that incurs three separate violations within a 180–day period is identified for possible prosecution under the City’s new Disruptive Property ordinance.

The PayCops application requires the exchange of data between two municipal entities — the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.  The County administers the municipal court system, within which the City officers must make their court appearances.

When PayCops schedules an officer for a court appearance, it automatically sends an email to that officer, and inserts the court date into the officer’s Outlook calendar.  Thus an officer who logs into the Automated Police Reporting System (APRS) to enter any City police report will automatically be reminded of any court dates on their calendar in the next three days.  From APRS, that officer has a read–only interface into PayCops to view their entire court schedule.

For payroll purposes, court appearances by police officers must be tracked.  Before the SmartCard enhancement was implemented, this record–keeping was handled manually.  Arriving at the courtroom, the officer would check in with the court.  Upon leaving the courtroom, the officer would check back out.  These events were recorded on cards, which were then sent to the Payroll department, to be matched against each officer’s court schedule.

Building an Integrated Solution
The project to develop a SmartCard enhancement to PayCops came about in the fall of 2008, when all City police officers were issued new identification cards that included scannable magnetic stripes and barcodes.  The City sought to replace the paper court appearance cards with an integrated hardware/software solution, utilizing scanning technology and custom modifications to the PayCops software.

B–Three Solutions worked with the City to achieve this integrated solution.  An NCR kiosk was installed at each municipal court location to handle the check–in/check–out function.

For check–in, the officer scans his or her SmartCard ID and answers a few questions through touch screen prompts.  For check–out, the officer again scans the card and answers several questions via the touch screen.

B–Three performed the necessary modifications to the Oracle database, and wrote the custom code to capture the check–in/check–out data and match it up with the full schedule of court appearances.  To provide for the possibility of a damaged SmartCard or a malfunctioning scanner, B–Three created a manual check–in/check–out interface that could collect the required information.

B–Three also wrote the custom software to interface with the NCR kiosk equipment, such as camera/DVR support, mag stripe and barcode reader, and a receipt printer.

To complete the integrated solution, B–Three created reports for use by management and by the Payroll department.

During the summit, law enforcement officials needed to be able to account for every officer, tracking their shifts and duty location assignments and recording the hours worked.  This data would be of immediate use to law enforcement officials making personnel distribution decisions.  Once the G–20 summit had concluded, the data would provide the basis for overtime pay to the officers, and for reimbursement to the City for extraordinary personnel costs associated with the summit.

A city will typically have about a year to prepare for hosting the G–20 conference, but Pittsburgh had only three months’ notice.  This limited timeframe demanded a fast–track approach to all preparations for the conference.  B–Three began the design work on the G–20 time tracking system a week before the project officially started, and continued that accelerated pace throughout the design, development, and testing of this mission–critical application.

The completed system represented an integration of:

• • Barcode technology
• • Dedicated PCs
• • Sophisticated queuing and transmission of data
• • Application software, including database queries/updates and management reports

Every out–of–town officer would be issued a G–20 ID Badge.  The badge would include the officer’s name, a unique ID, and a corresponding barcode.  The G–20 ID information would be stored in a special G–20 personnel database.  City personnel had already been assigned similar ID badges, with their ID information stored in a City personnel database.

About six months prior to beginning work on the G–20 system, B–Three had developed an application for tracking court appearances by City police officers.  An officer checking into or checking out of a courtroom would stop at a kiosk near the courtroom and scan the magnetic stripe on his or her ID badge.  The system would record the appropriate time entries in a database, and police administrators could run various reports against the data.  B–Three and the City determined that an application developed along these lines would meet the requirements for the G–20 time tracking system.

B–Three created an application that would read in a barcode from an ID Badge, find a match for it in either the City or non–City database, and insert the appropriate time tracking records.  In case of a problem scanning the barcode, the officer would be able to manually enter his or her ID number.

The G–20 time tracking application was installed on dedicated PCs at personnel check–in points situated at locations throughout the City.  By means of B–Three’s Remote Data Broker (RDB) product, the system included a queuing capability to transfer the time data to a central server.  The queuing capability avoided reliance on a persistent Internet connection.  The recording of time data was not affected by the loss of a connection.  The system would automatically “push” the data to the server when the software detected a valid network connection, thus ensuring that data was never lost.

B–Three managed the project to a successful rollout within the specified timeframe.  Throughout the G–20 summit, the system achieved the City’s goals for the project.

The first requirement of the project was for B–Three developers to rapidly gain a working understanding of the client’s bridge inspection software.  With this basic knowledge in place, B–Three began developing the input and output modules that would be integrated with the core software.

The input module consisted of 17 components.  Input forms were generated with custom form-building software.

Working in ActiveReports in a C# environment, B–Three developed 15 different summary reports, and a complex detail report consisting of 15 sections.

The project was completed on time and on budget.

Most of the City’s police activities are organized and administered through geographical zones made up of a number of contiguous neighborhoods. As originally written, the zone boundaries were built into the application. When the boundaries changed, code revisions were required.

B–Three developed and implemented an input–driven Redistricting Tool that can be utilized to reconfigure and maintain the zone structure in MapStats. With this utility, the City’s system administrator can make any necessary revisions to the zone structure used by MapStats without program modifications.

This modification significantly improved the City’s ability to adapt the software to changes in geographical zone boundaries.

Pre-Development Steps
The first stage in every system development project undertaken by B–Three is a series of meetings with the project sponsor and selected users, to ensure that we have a detailed understanding of the client’s requirements. The scope of the project demanded careful planning — particularly a critical-path analysis — to work out the proper sequence of tasks and the points at which testing would be required.

Once the requirements were documented, B–Three developed hardware/software specifications, evaluated and purchased required hardware, and installed and configured the servers. The document management system includes the capability of capturing and archiving scanned documents, utilizing a scanner/copier/printer.

Development and Installation
The customized document repository system was created in SharePoint. New database architecture was designed and set up. B–Three designed and documented the user interfaces for the image repository, using .NET. Prototyping sessions were conducted with client personnel to pin down the details of the screens, in terms of both data content and layout. Application development, unit testing, and system testing were then completed. In conjunction with system testing of the repository, automated backup procedures were developed and tested.

Data from legacy databases was then imported using scripts.

Finally, security processes and procedures were defined and incorporated. After preparing technical and end-user documentation, B–Three provided training to end users and system administrators. The repository was then put in production.

In just a few weeks, we installed a system which protects the company from data loss and enables rapid retrieval of customer records. After eliminating dozens of file cabinets where paper records had been stored, the insurance agency can now make more effective use of its office space.

Pre–Proposal Analysis
The client firm receives a substantial volume of medical data each day.  Initially received in XML format, the information is translated into fields and records and stored in a transactional database.

During the pre–proposal analysis, B–Three determined that a data warehouse, structured to optimize generation of reports, would be the key component of the solution.  B–Three would also develop six internal reports to the client firm’s specifications.

Data Security — HIPAA Compliance
Having completed other projects for clients in the healthcare field, B–Three is familiar with the strict requirements for privacy and data security mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

On this project, to ensure compliance with HIPAA, B–Three imposed a number of restrictions upon its software development procedures, including the following:

• • All project–related tasks requiring use of actual data were performed on–site at the client firm, using the client firm’s machines.
• • No actual data was copied to B–Three machines.
• • No actual data was taken off–site, either electronically or by hard copy.
• • Project–related tasks performed off–site either utilized no data (examples:  building ETL routines, preparing documentation and training materials) or utilized test data (example:  testing ETL routines).

Software Design and Development
When the project got underway, B–Three designed and built the data warehouse — using SQL Server and SQL Reporting Services Server (SRSS) — and installed it in a testing environment.  B–Three then began to develop Extract/Transform/Load (ETL) routines to populate the data warehouse with records from the transactional database.

While the work on the ETL routines was going on, B–Three began to develop the six internal reports specified by the client firm.

On each new report, B–Three worked with client personnel to test the report and confirm that it met the firm’s specifications.  As this process went on, B’Three also prepared the documentation describing how to add, edit, and administer the reports.

When it came time to put the data warehouse into production, B–Three modified the firm’s daily processing routines, so that the data warehouse would be automatically updated from the new records that are added to the transactional database.

With the roll–out of the data warehouse and the six new reports, B–Three wrapped up a project that provided an efficient and cost–effective internal reporting system for the client firm.

Soon afterwards, the client firm followed up on the project by contracting with B–Three for 13 additional internal reports to be run against their data warehouse.

Pre–Proposal Analysis
The client firm receives a substantial volume of medical data each day.  Initially received in XML format, the information is translated into fields and records and stored in a transactional database.

During the pre–proposal analysis, B–Three determined that a data warehouse, structured to optimize generation of reports, would be the key component of the solution.  B–Three would also develop six internal reports to the client firm’s specifications.

Data Security — HIPAA Compliance
Having completed other projects for clients in the healthcare field, B–Three is familiar with the strict requirements for privacy and data security mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

On this project, to ensure compliance with HIPAA, B–Three imposed a number of restrictions upon its software development procedures, including the following:

• • All project–related tasks requiring use of actual data were performed on–site at the client firm, using the client firm’s machines.
• • No actual data was copied to B–Three machines.
• • No actual data was taken off–site, either electronically or by hard copy.
• • Project–related tasks performed off–site either utilized no data (examples:  building ETL routines, preparing documentation and training materials) or utilized test data (example:  testing ETL routines).

Software Design and Development
When the project got underway, B–Three designed and built the data warehouse — using SQL Server and SQL Reporting Services Server (SRSS) — and installed it in a testing environment.  B–Three then began to develop Extract/Transform/Load (ETL) routines to populate the data warehouse with records from the transactional database.

While the work on the ETL routines was going on, B–Three began to develop the six internal reports specified by the client firm.

On each new report, B–Three worked with client personnel to test the report and confirm that it met the firm’s specifications.  As this process went on, B’Three also prepared the documentation describing how to add, edit, and administer the reports.

When it came time to put the data warehouse into production, B–Three modified the firm’s daily processing routines, so that the data warehouse would be automatically updated from the new records that are added to the transactional database.

With the roll–out of the data warehouse and the six new reports, B–Three wrapped up a project that provided an efficient and cost–effective internal reporting system for the client firm.

Soon afterwards, the client firm followed up on the project by contracting with B–Three for 13 additional internal reports to be run against their data warehouse.

Diabetes — A Major Healthcare Problem
Diabetes is a major burden on the healthcare system, diminishing the quality of patients’ lives and contributing significantly to rising healthcare costs.  Its impact is particularly severe in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  Any improvements that can be made in care of diabetic patients will have a positive impact on the patients and will slow the rise in diabetes–related healthcare costs.

A division of the university has been working with a consortium of Pittsburgh–area physicians to investigate and document the variances in diabetes care and outcomes.  The objective is to identify the most effective trends in treatment, and provide that information to all the physicians.

Before contacting B–Three, the university and the physician consortium had invested considerable time and effort in preparing the data set to be used in the studies.  They were loading the data into a SQL Server database, and then executing various scripts to transform the data into a format that could be analyzed in a statistical package like SAS or SPSS.  This time–consuming data preparation process was defeating the objective of rapid turn–around time for the studies.

Recommending a Data Mart
The university asked B–Three Solutions to analyze the requirements for the studies and suggest a data management solution.  B–Three recommended a data mart.

In contrast to a data warehouse, which is a centralized data aggregation available for multiple purposes, the structure of a data mart is driven by one specific purpose.  In this case, the purpose was to enable efficient loading of input data, followed by analysis through a standard statistical package.

The EMR input data is extracted from Centricity Physician Office, an application from GE Healthcare.  The statistical package is SPSS 16.0.

Implementing the Solution
After designing and constructing the data mart, B–Three created the Extract/Translate/Load (ETL) routines for the university to use each time the physician consortium provides a new set of data.  The data mart is structured for compatibility with the SPSS statistical package.

In addition to automating the data–loading process, the ETL routines execute various aggregation tasks (such as medication counts) and insert the totals into appropriate fields in the data mart.  By anticipating the need for these aggregated data items during statistical analysis, the B–Three solution enhances the efficiency of the analytical process.

Working smoothly with university personnel, B–Three completed the EMR data mart within the timeframe and budget of the project.

Three Key Components
With in–house resources and time at a premium, the firm decided to outsource three key components of the product to B–Three Solutions.  B–Three personnel rapidly mastered the complex architecture of the software product and went to work on the reporting module, the printing module, and the customization tool.

Customization Tool:  Proof of Concept
Work on the customization tool was handled in three phases.  At the beginning of Phase I, the client identified specific customizations for B–Three to carry out on the software product.  Working in Java 5.0, B–Three completed the manual customization of the product, and established the validity of the modifications through extensive testing.

Automated Customization Tool
B–Three then collaborated with the client to produce the design document for an automated customization tool that would enable a licensed user of the software product to carry out the same modifications.

The design document served as the blueprint for B–Three’s work in Phase II of the project.  We developed and tested an import customization tool that would run as an Eclipse plug–in, installed into the user’s development environment.  By means of a wizard interface, the user could add new fields to the imported model objects in the software product.

As part of Phase II, B–Three produced documentation appropriate for distribution to users of the customization tool, providing a high–level description of its functionality and details of the user interface and the available options.  We also produced technical documentation for the client, describing the code architecture.

Expanded Customization Wizard
In Phase III, B–Three expanded the functionality of the customization tool.  This gave the user the capability, through a wizard interface, of adding new fields to the software product’s export files.  An additional wizard interface enabled the user to create a new model object in the product’s code base.

After developing and testing the expanded customization tool, B–Three modified the user documentation and the technical documentation to cover the additional functionality.

Meeting the Deadline
The components were completed and integrated into the software product in time for the product to be released on schedule.

SCA Compliance
B–Three implemented software that integrates with an ERP system and the ADP payroll system to validate compliance.  The project involved four departments:  Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, and Business Contracts.  Completion of the project produced an immediate and measurable benefit to the client — approximately $1.5 million per quarter — and eliminated months of manual processing.

The SCA compliance system has now been extended, with a payroll application that determines the prevailing wage for the employee’s job category and county of residence.  The application produces a pay stub that demonstrates SCA compliance by comparing the appropriate prevailing wage to the employee’s actual rate of pay.

Sarbanes–Oxley Compliance
To ensure the firm’s compliance with the Sarbanes–Oxley legislation, we also automated all the procedures required to calculate Sarbanes–Oxley data.  This processing is now fully documented and auditable by regulators.  The database was documented in a similar manner.

Financial Web Portal
In addition to compliance-related projects, B–Three developed a financial web portal built on an Oracle database, enabling the firm’s executives to view a daily cash reporting system.  B–Three integrated with multiple banking systems to automate the reporting system, eliminating manual tasks that had taken up to eight hours per day to complete.

The company engaged B–Three Solutions to design and implement a number of significant additions to the package.  These enhancements would be developed as new modules to expand the product’s functionality, and then rolled out in a series of new versions of the product.

For each new module, B–Three performed the same sequence of tasks.  Beginning with the requirements defined by the client company, B–Three designed and documented the module, and the process to integrate it into the software product.  Following the design review with the client, B–Three programmed the module in Java.  The module was submitted to a rigorous code review, and then tested individually and as part of an integrated product, against criteria defined by the client.

While B–Three’s work was moving forward on each new module planned for the next version of the package, the client’s in–house staff was identifying any bugs in the existing product that should be fixed for the new version.  B–Three assisted with the design, programming, and implementation of these fixes.

The software product will enable the auto service client location to offer a free inspection to each customer, record the inspection results efficiently, and present safety and maintenance service recommendations effectively to the customer.  The web–based product will also facilitate follow–up communications with customers, leading to repeat business for the auto service client location.

The originating company asked B–Three Solutions to turn its vision into a viable product.  B–Three worked closely with them to produce a comprehensive Requirements Specification for the software product.  The document included a detailed functional description and an analysis of the appropriate system architecture and hardware/software requirements.

The project continued through design, development, and testing.  The foundation of the package is a SQL Server database.  Hibernate was utilized for the persistence framework, and Struts for the web application framework.  The package includes 40 JSP pages and 10 internal reports.

Following successful beta testing of the package at several local auto dealerships, the originating company has begun marketing the package to dealerships throughout Pennsylvania.

By City policy, each complaint that comes into OMI will be logged, investigated, and acted upon within 120 days.  OMI’s report on the complaint is then conveyed to the City department where the employee works (example:  the Police Bureau in the case of allegations against a police officer).

The Police Bureau or other department must take action on the OMI report within 120 days.  OMI receives a report about the action taken, and files that information with its report on the case.  If OMI finds that the allegations of misconduct are credible, and that the misconduct may have included criminal actions, OMI’s report is also conveyed to the Allegheny County District Attorney for a possible criminal investigation.

Developing a New System
In 2008, OMI determined that it had a need for a new Case Management System, and contracted with B–Three Solutions to handle the project under a fixed–fee contract.

Beginning with system requirements assembled by OMI, B–Three created a design specification and an implementation plan.  After approval by OMI, the application was developed (in .NET, with an Oracle database), tested, and installed.  Before the case management system was put into production, the user manual was distributed and “train–the–trainer” instruction was completed.

The system manages OMI’s case load, processing each case from the initial complaint, through all the necessary investigative actions, to the approval of the case report and the eventual closing and archiving of the case.

System Capabilities
Important capabilities of the system include:

• • Accept new cases/complaints through an intelligent form, with lists of standard values available for most of the fields.
• • Assign/reassign cases in a real-time manner.
• • Enable investigators to view a “My Cases” screen, listing their open cases and the status of each.
• • Display date-related requirements, easily allowing investigators and management to see when a case is overdue or a deadline is approaching, such as the end of the 120-day period in which to take action against the accused.
• • Generate alerts to investigators and supervisors concerning case related deadlines.
• • Enable investigative forms to be filled out and auto-propagate data to these forms from corresponding information already entered about the case.
• • Enable the uploading of Word documents or other files that are created by OMI staff.
• • Store documents, pictures, and audio/video files with a case.
• • Connect to other City systems to pull personnel, geographical, and other information, and to publish case status information to systems that require it.
• • Enable OMI Management to review all cases in the system and produce various administrative reports.
• • Automate the routing and approval process of an OMI case as it moves from step to step.

Smooth Transition
For OMI personnel, the transition to the new case management system went smoothly, primarily because the basic steps in handling a case did not change.  The new system streamlines data entry and strengthens OMI’s ability to track and manage each case.

On October 5th, at the 2011 Career Fair at Grove City College, two of the four employee representatives from B–Three Solutions were recent graduates of Grove City.

Jamie Schultz, Vice President of Operations, said that the presence of those recent graduates demonstrates that B–Three has built a “win–win–win” relationship with Grove City.  Expanding on that statement, Schultz stated:  ”The college’s IT department benefits from its interaction with B–Three; individual students launch their IT careers; and B–Three gains mature, talented employees.”

The other representatives of B–Three were Bob Elliott, Director of Project Development, and Systems Analysts Aaron Cuffman and Adam Schultz.  Elliott explained that the two recent graduates give B–Three instant credibility with current students:  ”Every company in this room is talking the talk — in this case, talking to the students about opportunities and career paths.  At B–Three, we also walk the walk, and Aaron and Adam can testify to that!”

The 13th annual Career Fair attracted more than 100 organizations:  businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, graduate schools, and branches of the armed forces.  At the B–Three table, printed materials and a continuously running slide show emphasized B–Three’s distinctive fixed–fee approach to software development projects.

In conversations with the students, the B–Three representatives called attention to B–Three’s internship program, which has included three Grove City students.  An internship with B–Three can be an excellent starting point for a career in Information Technology.  Four members of our current development team first came to B–Three as interns.

Student response was encouraging.  B–Three received more than 30 resumes on the spot, and others are expected to come in as the fall term draws to a close.

Pittsburgh, PA — Expanding its development staff to handle an increasing volume of business, B–Three Solutions has created its own version of the A–Team with its three most recent hires.

Aaron Cuffman, Andrew Nagle, and Adam Schultz are three promising IT professionals who have joined a B–Three staff that averages more than 15 years of IT experience per person.

Before coming to B–Three as a Systems Analyst, Aaron Cuffman worked for a large firm in the real estate field.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Grove City College in 2009.  Cuffman’s IT experience includes a variety of inventory–related applications.  He has shown an aptitude for quickly mastering a new platform and developing software for it.

Prior to beginning his studies at Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Andrew Nagle excelled in competitive software development events sponsored by the Business Professionals of America.  In the process of earning an Associate in Science degree in Computer Programming, he also demonstrated the ability to share his expertise with others.  Nagle served as the manager of the Computer Programming division of PTI’s DirectConnect peer–to–peer mentoring program.  After graduation, he joined B–Three as a Systems Analyst.

After interning with B–Three during the summer of 2010, Adam Schultz returned to Grove City College for his senior year.  Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, he accepted a position with B–Three as a Systems Analyst.  Schultz’s wide range of technical experience extends beyond hardware and network troubleshooting, and into such fields as audio and the programming of stage and auditorium lighting.

Cuffman, Nagle, and Schultz are working with other team members at the B–Three Solutions office in Plum Borough, and at customer sites throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Pittsburgh, PA — Pittsburgh’s rich jazz tradition was celebrated this summer at the Monroeville Jazz Festival, and B–Three Solutions was pleased to once again be a sponsor of the event.

Held at Boyce Park on July 23, this year’s festival was truly an all–star gathering of Pittsburgh musicians, featuring Joe Negri, Judi Figel, Kenny Blake, Roger Humphries, and Benny Benack III.  In addition to enjoying some great jazz, attendees supported the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank with donations of nonperishable food items.

Since the company’s founding five years ago, B–Three Solutions has made a practice of supporting activities in the community.  Along with the Monroeville Jazz Festival, B–Three has recently supported:

• • Stampede in the Park, a 5K race that raises money for leukemia research at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s Hillman Cancer Center.
• • Youth soccer programs in the Highlands and East Allegheny school districts.
• • Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, which serves victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

Pittsburgh, PA — B–Three Solutions, Inc., announces an alliance with Vertical Solutions — an R. L. Nelson and Associates Company — to deliver comprehensive custom software development services.

B–Three Solutions, a leading provider of software requirements engineering, software design, application development, and software development staffing, is partnering with Vertical Solutions, which delivers business management software solutions and managed IT services, as well as infrastructure expertise to organizations throughout the Mid–Atlantic, to provide comprehensive end–to–end product development.  This allows organizations to receive complete services during a custom software development project.

Organizations today typically require multiple solution providers to deliver infrastructure upgrades, managed IT services, and software design for a successful custom software development project.  This partnership not only eliminates the waste associated with multiple providers, it enables the client to plan and budget for the project with certainty, and make business decisions based on a definite rollout date.  Usually, every component of the project is delivered for a fixed fee, within a fixed timeframe.

“I think it has become clear that you can not be all things to all people.  Figure out what you do and be great at it,” said Bruce Nelson, CEO of Vertical Solutions.  ”Once you have committed to that, you can find partners like B–Three with a similar philosophy and deliver an end–to–end solution.”

Michael Walton, President of B–Three Solutions, pointed out that Vertical’s Microsoft–certified expertise with the Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP system complements the wide range of software expertise offered by B–Three.  He emphasized that the partnership is built on a foundation of shared values and mutual confidence:  ”Before we agree to work with another firm on a fixed–fee project, we have to feel certain that the other firm shares our commitment to deliver top quality IT services to the client — on time and on budget.  That’s exactly how we feel about Vertical Solutions, and that’s why we are particularly glad to partner with them.”

About Vertical Solutions
Founded in 1986, Vertical Solutions — an R.L. Nelson and Associates, Inc. Company — is a business and technology consulting firm that enables small and mid–sized organizations to profit through a partner who supports them across functions.  Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Vertical Solutions delivers a full range of business management software, business process, infrastructure, and managed IT services expertise.  Vertical Solutions delivers results through in–depth expertise in various industries, including medical practices, not–for–profits, social services, law firms, and process manufacturers.  Visit our website at www.verticalsol.com or call 412.220.8460.

About B–Three Solutions
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, B–Three Solutions offers software consulting services to businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations.  Most of our projects are completed on a fixed–fee, fixed–timeline basis, with a one–year warranty on the software developed.

Pittsburgh, PA — Working under the guidance of two senior staff members from B–Three Solutions, three Western Pennsylvania college students recently completed a “real world” application to help companies maintain electronic communications with their customers.

The three students — Addison Mayberry, Aaron Mininger, and Chris Straw — attend Grove City College, a private liberal arts college located in Grove City, PA.  With the cooperation of their professor, Dr. Dorian Yeager, the students were able to use the work on the B-Three application to satisfy the project requirements of their Software Engineering course.

The application chosen for development by the student team utilizes technology that today’s students use extensively:  text messaging through mobile phones.  The application, known as B–Three Mobile Connect, will be implemented by B–Three as one component of a project for a client.

As conceived by B–Three and developed by the student team, the application provides an easily accessible Web interface that enables the client to sign up customers who have mobile phones, allowing those customers to receive updates from the client.  Customers can manage their accounts through their mobile phones, and through the client’s website.  Through the administrative module of B–Three Mobile Connect, the client can compose new SMS messages and SMS opinion polls, and manage the list of subscribers.

In early February, Jamie Schultz (Vice President of Operations) and Bob Elliott (Director of Project Management) set the project in motion in a kickoff meeting with the students.  They described the application and explained B–Three’s expectations for the project, outlining the major tasks to be completed and specifying the deliverables.  Schultz and Elliott worked with the students to define an appropriate role for each team member.

At each stage of the project, Schultz and Elliott reviewed the work in detail, culminating in a rigorous testing process.  The project concluded in early May, when the students demonstrated the completed application to a group of B–Three staff members.

The Mobile Connect project is the latest accomplishment in an ongoing relationship between B–Three Solutions and Grove City College.  B–Three has supervised two earlier application development projects, and three students have worked as interns at B–Three.

In a more detailed version of this press release, Jamie Schultz and Bob Elliott describe the stages of the project and the supervision provided by B–Three.

Pittsburgh, PA — B–Three Solutions returned to TechVibe Radio on an auspicious occasion — the first broadcast on KQV, the program’s new station.  Co–hosts Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting invited Chuck Summerville, B–Three’s Director of Sales & Marketing, to join them for the January 23 broadcast.

During Chuck’s appearance, the discussion centered on the characteristics that set B–Three Solutions apart from its competitors in the software consulting field.  B–Three handles most software development projects on a fixed–fee basis, with a one–year warranty on the software developed.

TechVibe co–hosts Russo and Kersting, both of whom are affiliated with the Pittsburgh Technology Council, introduced their listeners to B–Three during a broadcast on May 19, 2009.  That program featured Summerville and B–Three President Michael Walton.

Now in its third year, TechVibe Radio is the Pittsburgh region’s only technology–exclusive talk show.  The program can be heard every other weekend on KQV (1410 AM).  It is broadcast on Saturday afternoon (1–2 p.m.), and then repeated on Sunday morning (8–9 a.m.)

Through the TechVibe program archive, you can listen to the January 23 broadcast featuring B–Three Solutions.   Clicking the link will take you to the TechVibe broadcast archive.  When you scroll down to the B–Three segment of the 01/23/2010 program, you can download the broadcast or listen to it online.

Pittsburgh, PA — “Fixed fee / Fixed timeline / One-year warranty.”  At two recent conferences, representatives of B–Three Solutions, Inc., met with a very wide variety of businesses and nonprofit organizations, but their basic message remained consistent.  B–Three believes that its approach to software development is an excellent fit for any type of organization.

The first of the conferences — TechNow 2009 — took place October 29 on the campus of Robert Morris University.  Robert Morris is home to the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, which organizes the annual conference.  This year’s conference attracted nearly 100 participants from organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Exactly two weeks later, on November 12, Duquesne University was the site of the fourth annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference, sponsored by the university’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  The conference brought together 178 registrants and 40 exhibitors for a day–long series of workshops and other presentations.

At each event, conference participants stopped at the B–Three table to view a PowerPoint presentation running on a high–definition television.  The slide show introduced B–Three Solutions and highlighted recent projects for high–profile clients like the City of Pittsburgh.  In particular, the presentation emphasized B–Three’s repeated success in extending the useful life of a client’s existing software, and in developing cost–effective mobile workforce solutions.

While visiting the B–Three table, each participant filled out a card for a chance to take the TV home!

At TechNow 2009, the winner was Chris Chambers, the Controller of the Frick Art & Historical Center in Point Breeze.

At the SBDC conference, the TV was won by Valerie Chittester, a Marketing Specialist for Penn United Technologies in Cabot, PA.

B–Three Solutions has announced plans to once again participate as an exhibitor in a business technology conference organized by Duquesne University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The event will take place in Duquesne’s student union building on November 12.

The fourth annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference is designed to equip companies with the information they need to make smart technology decisions that will enhance their profitability, productivity, and market adaptability. In addition to the featured speaker (Adam Kmiec of MARC USA), the conference will include 12 workshops, a trade show, and a panel discussion.

During the 2008 conference, participants stopped at the B–Three table to view a PowerPoint presentation running on a high-definition television — and to fill out a card for a chance to take the TV home! The winner was Tania Bikerman of Bridgeway Capital.

For the 2009 conference, we have updated the presentation with information on four recent projects, and prepared a handout folder including descriptions of a number of projects. The presentation will again be shown on a high-definition television, and participants will again fill out cards for a chance to win the TV.

B–Three Solutions participates in the annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference because we support the SBDC in its mission to provide technical and management assistance to small businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania.

B–Three specializes in fixed–fee, fixed–timeline projects, and we guarantee the software we develop with a 1–year warranty. This approach to software projects is both cost–certain and cost–effective for B–Three’s clients.

On October 7, 2009, Grove City College held its 11th annual Career Fair. As in 2007 and 2008, B–Three Solutions participated in the event. Representing B–Three at the Career Fair were Jamie Schultz, Vice President of Operations, and Bob Elliott, Director of Project Development. Over the course of the day, they met with approximately 50 students.

This year more than 100 organizations — businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, graduate schools, and branches of the armed forces — brought career information to share with Grove City students. At the B–Three table, printed materials were supplemented by a continuously running slide show that described B–Three’s fixed–fee approach and highlighted several recent projects.

When students came up to the table and introduced themselves, Jamie and Bob would describe B–Three’s internship program, which has included two students from Grove City. B–Three believes that an internship is an excellent starting point for a career in Information Technology. Two members of our current development team first came to B–Three as interns. They are now experienced IT professionals.

There were three Grove City students who had no need to introduce themselves to the B–Three representatives. Jamie Schultz and his wife Lois currently have all three of their children at Grove City!

B–Three Solutions is again planning to participate in a major regional conference on trends and resources in technology for nonprofit organizations. TechNow 2009 will take place on October 29 at the Sewall Center, on the campus of Robert Morris University in Moon Township.

Organized by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management — a unit of Robert Morris University — TechNow is an annual event that is unique in the Pittsburgh region. Leaders from a wide range of nonprofits participate in the conference, along with representatives of vendors offering information technology services.

At last year’s event, conference participants stopped at the B–Three table to view a PowerPoint presentation running on a high-definition television — and to fill out a card for a chance to take the TV home! The winner was Bill Rudek, the IT Manager of RiverQuest (an organization that operates education programs for students and teachers on Pittsburgh’s three rivers).

For TechNow 2009, we have updated the presentation with information on four recent projects, and prepared a handout folder including descriptions of a number of projects. The presentation will again be shown on a high-definition television, and participants will again fill out cards for a chance to win the TV.

We take part in the TechNow conference because the way we work is as advantageous for nonprofits as it is for businesses and governments. B–Three specializes in fixed–fee, fixed–timeline projects, and we guarantee the software we develop with a 1–year warranty.

This approach to software projects is both cost–certain and cost–effective for B–Three’s clients — including nonprofit organizations.

Pittsburgh, PA — B–Three Solutions has received approval from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to add an additional category of information technology services to its credentials as a pre–qualified vendor under Pennsylvania’s Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) program.

The new service category is Modified Off–the–Shelf Software Services (MOTS). To be qualified in this category, an applicant must demonstrate its competence and experience by having executed projects that involved customized modifications to off–the–shelf commercial software. The applicant must submit descriptions and client references for three projects.

In the first of the submitted projects, B–Three created an image repository for insurance documents, by making custom modifications to the Microsoft SharePoint package.

In the second project, an image repository for tax documents was constructed as a combination of custom code, Microsoft SharePoint, and a third–party product with scanning, viewing, and annotation capabilities.

The third project involved writing custom code to achieve data integration between a large municipality’s crime information databases and a commercial off–the–shelf software package utilized by the police department’s crime analysis unit.

Officials of the ITQ program evaluated B–Three’s application and approved its qualifications in the MOTS category.

Pennsylvania’s ITQ program is a significant enhancement to the commonwealth’s procurement practices. Vendors apply to be pre–qualified by the state to provide specific categories of Information Technology services. Commonwealth agencies can then secure IT services from these pre–qualified vendors without going through an RFP process.

Pittsburgh, PA — Michael Walton, President of B–Three Solutions, today announced that the company had gained approval as a pre–qualified vendor under Pennsylvania’s Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) program.

The ITQ program is a significant enhancement to the commonwealth’s procurement practices. Vendors apply to be pre-qualified by the state to provide specific categories of Information Technology services. Commonwealth agencies can then secure IT services from these pre-qualified vendors without going through an RFP process.

B–Three Solutions applied in the service categories of Software Development and Software Maintenance, and was approved in both categories.

For each service category, an applicant must submit descriptions and client references for three projects. The projects submitted by B–Three included:

• Mobile Workforce Solution for Major Metropolitan Police Department
• Image Repository for Insurance Documents
• Maintenance Upgrade for Crime Data Plotting Application

Concerning B–Three’s successful application to the ITQ program, Walton stated: “In order to gain pre–qualified status, we had to secure favorable evaluations from state officials and a number of clients. The ITQ approval represents a vote of confidence in our work.”

After securing the ITQ approval in the Software Development and Software Maintenance categories, B–Three recently submitted an application to add another category: Modified Off–the–Shelf Software Services. That application is currently pending.

Pittsburgh, PA — Appearing on the “TechVibe” radio program, representatives of B–Three Solutions discussed the company’s distinctive approach to software development projects. Most B–Three projects are handled on a fixed–fee, fixed–timeline basis, with a one–year warranty on the software developed. This approach sets B–Three apart from its competitors in the software consulting field.

On the program, B–Three President Michael Walton and Director of Sales & Marketing Chuck Summerville were interviewed by TechVibe co–hosts Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting. Russo and Kersting are both affiliated with the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

Through the TechVibe program archive, you can listen to the May 19 broadcast featuring B–Three Solutions. Clicking the link will take you to the TechVibe broadcast archive. When you scroll down to the B–Three segment of the 05/19/2009 program, you can download the broadcast or listen to it online.

Pittsburgh, PA — Using hand–held computers and software developed by B–Three Solutions, Pittsburgh’s building inspectors will be moving out of their central office and working from offices in the city’s six neighborhood police stations. A pilot version of this plan began March 17 at the Zone 5 police station on Washington Boulevard. The Bureau of Building Inspections (BBI) intends to scale up the program as the year goes along.

In a March 17 press release, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl explained, “The purpose of this initiative is two-fold: to increase public safety by creating a direct line of communication between the Police Bureau and BBI, and to provide the community with better access to BBI personnel. The Zone 5 neighborhood BBI office will make this neighborhood cleaner and safer and help our police prevent crime.”

In September 2008, Mayor Ravenstahl demonstrated the new technology at a media event in Bloomfield. Calling the City’s 311 Response Line, the Mayor reported an apparent violation. Within seconds, the complaint appeared on the BBI inspector’s handheld device. From the field, the inspector could then check on the violation, retrieve ownership information from the City’s property database, and transmit a completed report back to BBI headquarters. This mobile workforce solution from B–Three cuts the processing time on violations from four days to one.

Mobile Workforce Solutions
Many organizations — public and private — have begun the transition from a fixed–location work environment to a dispersed model where workers are deployed in the locations where they can be most effective. These changes require effective mobile workforce management.

In adddition to the building inspection application for the City of Pittsburgh, B–Three Solutions has created mobile workforce systems in such fields as law enforcement and home healthcare. The Remote Data Broker (RDB), a product developed by B–Three, is the key component in all of our mobile solutions.

Powered by the RDB, our mobile solutions stand out, because they do not rely on a persistent Internet connection. The entry of information by a mobile user is not affected by the loss of a connection — a very important feature in Western Pennsylvania, where hills and valleys create “dead zone” areas. The RDB senses the loss of the connection and automatically begins to queue the data for later transmission. This all happens behind the scenes, with no impact on data entry by the user. When the connection is regained, the system automatically resumes its transmission of data. This technology insures against data being lost, without interfering with the user’s work.

“Reliability all the time” is the phrase used by the Pittsburgh Business Times to describe the business model of B–Three Solutions, Inc.

Writing in the publication’s December 19 issue, Anya Litvak reported on her recent interview with Michael Walton, President of B–Three Solutions. Walton described the extensive analysis B–Three invests in a software project before making a fixed–fee, fixed–timeline proposal to the prospective client.

Without this disciplined approach, B–Three would not have been able to establish its consistent record of on–time, on–budget completion of projects — a record that has resulted in a repeat customer rate of 100 percent.

As quoted in the article, Howard A. Stern, Director and Chief Information Officer for the City of Pittsburgh, explained that the fixed–fee model is a particularly good fit for government entities, where the budgeting process establishes a fixed cost allowable for the project.

B–Three has completed a number of projects for the City of Pittsburgh, including the software for the laptop computers in all the police squad cars and the software for the hand–held computers used in the field by building inspectors.

B–Three’s broad range of software expertise also includes healthcare, manufacturing, technology, finance, and telecommunications.

Read the article on the website of the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Pittsburgh, PA — At a recent conference for Pennsylvania businesses, B–Three Solutions offered some answers to the question that was the theme of the event: “How Can Technology Revamp My Business?”

The third annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference took place at Duquesne University on Thursday, November 13. Sponsored by the university’s Small Business Development Center, the conference brought together 104 registrants and 40 exhibitors for a day–long series of workshops and other presentations.

B–Three’s two representatives had the opportunity to speak with 57 of the conference participants. Those individuals and many others were able to view a slide show introducing B–Three Solutions and highlighting B–Three’s recent high–profile projects for the City of Pittsburgh.

Printed material at the B–Three table described the company’s experience with fixed–fee, fixed–timeline projects, and the one–year guarantee on the software developed for those projects. Another handout described B–Three Protection (BTP), a new offering which delivers essential software protection, plus additional value every month in the form of substantial services for the client’s business.

Visitors to B–Three’s table filled out information cards and dropped them into a fishbowl for a chance to win a 32–inch high–definition television (on which the slide show was being shown). The winner was Tania Bikerman of Bridgeway Capital.

B–Three Solutions played an active role in the TechNow 2008 conference held on October 30, 2008. TechNow is an annual event organized by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management — a unit of Robert Morris University. It is a day–long conference devoted to important trends and resources in technology for nonprofit organizations.

This year’s conference, held at the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township, attracted more than 100 participants from throughout Western Pennsylvania. B–Three helped support the event by sponsoring the luncheon.

B–Three’s two representatives at TechNow 2008 had the opportunity to speak with more than half of the conference participants. Those individuals and many others were able to view a slide show introducing B–Three Solutions and highlighting B–Three’s recent high–profile projects for the City of Pittsburgh.

Printed material at the B–Three table described the company’s experience with fixed–fee, fixed–timeline projects, and the one–year guarantee on the software developed for those projects. Another handout described B–Three Protection (BTP), a new offering which delivers essential software protection, plus additional value every month in the form of substantial services for the client’s business.

Visitors to B–Three’s table filled out information cards and dropped them into a fishbowl for a chance to win a 32–inch high–definition television (on which the slide show was being shown). The winner was Bill Rudek, IT Manager of RiverQuest, an organization that operates education programs for students and teachers on Pittsburgh’s three rivers.

B–Three Solutions has announced plans to participate in TechNow 2008, which will take place on October 30, 2008. The event will be held at the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township.

Organized by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management — a unit of Robert Morris University — TechNow is an annual event that is unique in the Pittsburgh region. It is a day–long conference devoted to new and important trends and resources in technology for nonprofit organizations.

B–Three Solutions assists medium–to–large organizations — businesses, local governments, and nonprofits — to align their business goals, processes, and technology. B–Three consultants propose and implement solutions that are consistent with business logic and justified by cost–effectiveness.

Michael Walton, President of B–Three Solutions, explained: “This approach has been proven valid for our private–sector clients. We believe that it is every bit as valid for nonprofit organizations.”

In the nonprofit world:

• Project budgets are fixed. There are no additional funds available to cover cost overruns or change orders.

• Project timelines are fixed. A high–level version of the project schedule, including milestone–related progress reports, may be built into the grant which funded the project. The project schedule cannot be allowed to slip, because these reporting commitments to funding organizations must be kept.

Since the founding of the company, the majority of B–Three’s contracts for project work have specified fixed fees and fixed timelines. B–Three has clearly established that its team has the project management skills and experience necessary to meet the special requirements of project work in the nonprofit world.

In addition to participating in TechNow 2008 as an exhibitor, B–Three is helping to support the conference by sponsoring the luncheon that will be attended by all participants. Anyone interested in more information about this annual event should visit the TechNow 2008 website.

Pittsburgh, PA — During a media event today in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl unveiled the latest product developed by B–Three Solutions and City Information Systems.

Built for the City’s Bureau of Building Inspection (BBI), the new Automated Code Enforcement application enables an inspector in the field to receive an enforcement assignment (often based on a citizen complaint received a few seconds earlier), and then file a report — complete and enforcement–ready — from the field after carrying out the inspection.

According to the City’s September 17 press release, the application “will cut the time it takes for inspectors to process code enforcement violations from four days to one.”

In a press release issued by B–Three Solutions, company officials provided details on the cost–effectiveness of the solution.

Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Pittsburgh held a press conference today to announce the production rollout of the Automated Police Reporting System (APRS), designed and developed by B–Three Solutions. The system, which has completed a successful pilot program, allows the City’s police force to complete and submit the numerous reports they need to create in their squad cars from anywhere in the city. This will save time and labor, and improve crime–related data communication throughout the department.

The system leverages the Remote Data Broker, a software product created by B–Three Solutions, which allows remote PCs to continue to process data and submit reports regardless of the state of their wireless Internet connection. This component is especially important in the diverse geography of Pittsburgh.

APRS also helps the City catch the criminals. By enabling police officers to complete paper work in their cars, they can remain on the streets and no longer need to spend hours a day at the precinct. The extensive automatic data population and data validation allows the officers to fill out reports quickly and accurately. Reports are submitted for approval as soon as the officer saves them, thus improving the sharing of data throughout the department and helping police investigators identify crime patterns or similarities more quickly.

The City’s press release includes a photograph of the mayor participating in the field demonstration of APRS.