Modernization Of Decades-Old Information System For National Network Of Schools

Project

Upgrading a Decades-Old Information System for a National Network of Schools

Project Requirements

A successful and devoted nonprofit operating sixteen specialized schools for special education services relies on a central database and web app for tracking attendance, federal school lunch subsidies, transportation management, and behavior reporting, among other functionalities. Support for their older SQL servers had ended, and they needed new functionality added to their existing applications.

A third-party software consultancy developed the original database and application in the early 1990s. They delivered the completed product but did not provide ongoing maintenance or support, or updates. Over the years, Menta’s internal IT team made some successful changes to the database. However, for the most part, attempts to upgrade or improve things caused the application to become unusable. Menta approached Intertech in the hopes that they could upgrade their systems and add some much-needed functionalities.

Result

Intertech upgraded a system that had been stuck in the past for decades. Utilizing expertise and experience with Microsoft products, Intertech kept delivery on track and set them up to add new features. These upgrades greatly increase the efficiency and usability of Menta’s internal systems nationwide. It also makes maintenance and support much easier on their internal IT department.

Overview

Intertech’s relationship with this client began in 2016. Initially, they needed help with SQL reporting, updating existing reports and investigating the database to give new insights and drive reporting for government programs. Intertech worked to track down and update each of these reports. However, the reporting engine that they used internally was no longer supported.

Over the course of an eight-month engagement, Intertech moved the SQL server and reporting engine to the latest version of each. This required a large data migration and the conversion of 150 different reports to the new engine and database. Working remotely on the project from our Minnesota offices, Intertech saved the cost and overhead of travel and working in the same office while making sure we were available to visit Chicago as needed to meet with key individuals.

In addition to the server and reporting migration, Intertech implemented several fixes to existing issues and added new features. Attendance policies and processes had changed since the initial development of the application, as had busing and transportation management. Intertech also helped update the server and application to reflect other changes, to include government reporting on behavioral issues, incident escalation, and lunch/breakfast funding needed to meet updated criteria for tracking and compliance.

” We’re delighted with the work Intertech has done to upgrade our IT infrastructure and add much needed functionality to our tracking and reporting. Partnering with Intertech took much of the stress and headache out of working with and improving our systems. Intertech’s consultant was clearly an expert, and his depth of experience and ability to collaborate made the process easy for us. The improvements represent a big step forward for our schools, helping us to better serve our students across our network.”

Customer Quote