Federated Group Deploys Windows CMS Portal

Canada-based The Federated Group offers customs and logistics services across North America and the globe. The company used the Visual LANSA Framework to engage a Client Management System (CMS) that integrates directly with existing System i backend systems. The LANSA Client is used to update existing databases and for customizing over 400 programs of the company. This client also enables reporting and analysis of operational files and data warehouse. With the use of this LANSA Client the company is able to continue using its existing customs, accounts receivable and freight systems so that there is not a major change in functioning of the systems. The group of customs brokers started using an IBM System/3, 25 years ago. It moved to the System i after that. The company wanted to centralize client information to provide easy access to all divisions. They also wanted the CMS solution to update client information directly into the systems. At the same time, they did not want to change the existing file structures because it meant alterations to 400 backend programs. The company therefore wanted a packaged CMS solution that could meet all shareholder needs. They went ahead with LANSA's productive framework approach to provide guidance for their RPG programmers who were new to Windows development. Federated sent its developers for LANSA training and undertook onsite mentoring. Federated used LANSA's prototyping tool to help refine the system design and deployment of this CMS made it easy to manage client data from a central point.