Ameristar Information System (AIS) – Web Transformation
2024
Ameristar Screen & Glass
With offices in the Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, Houston, Atlanta North Carolina, and Phoenix, Ameristar Screen and Glass is proud to serve the Apartment Industry exclusively. Since 1989 our competitive prices and outstanding service have made Ameristar the #1 supplier of glass, mirrors and screens for the apartment industry.
The Challenge:
In 2006, Ameristar implemented a custom Windows desktop application called “AIS” to manage their operations, including CRM, sales, vendor management, inventory, order processing, service delivery, accounts receivable, and more. However, as the company expanded from one primary location to six, the software struggled to keep pace and scale with the business.
Key issues included:
- The company migrated to Mac, requiring Parallels licenses to run the Windows app, adding complexity and cost.
- New employee training on the outdated system was time-consuming.
- Upgrading the legacy software was cost-prohibitive.
- Specific hardware like printers and scanners were required for compatibility, making servicing difficult.
Ameristar needed a solution to future-proof the business, leveraging software as a strategic advantage to drive growth. They wanted to avoid loss of functionality from obsolete hardware and enable efficient employee onboarding.
Outdated technology
Legacy software does not scale with company growth
Expensive licenses to maintain
Expensive and slow employee onboarding
Not worth further investment
Tied to legacy hardware, not servicable
The Solution:
B3 Software designed an innovative approach allowing Ameristar to use both their legacy AIS system and a new modernized platform simultaneously, with both pointing to the same upgraded database. On-premise servers and equipment were upgraded to support current needs and future growth.
The phased migration enabled a smooth transition, letting Ameristar retire the legacy software at their own pace once employees were fully comfortable with the new system. The modern platform delivered immediate benefits like speedy QR code scanning for documents, replacing manual error-prone processes.
The Results:
By partnering with B3 Software to modernize their custom AIS software, Ameristar achieved significant benefits:
- Streamlined employee onboarding with minimal software training needed
- Seamless transition from legacy software with deferred retirement
- Improved efficiency and accuracy with modern features like QR code scanning
- Scalable, flexible infrastructure to support growth
- Faster delivery of new features and updates
- Increased trust from senior management in software’s alignment with core business processes
The new platform has become a springboard for Ameristar’s future growth, enabling them to:
- Open a new office even during the software transition
- Confidently add new features with fast update cycles
- Stimulate productive discussions between IT and management to optimize processes
In summary, B3 Software’s custom software modernization has empowered Ameristar Screen & Glass with a robust, scalable platform to drive efficiency and growth. By working closely together to align technology and business goals, Ameristar is now well-positioned to extend their market leadership supported by software that is flexible, cost-effective, and delivers strategic advantage.