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J. D. Rush maintains a robust and flexible network allowing both
interpersonal and intercompany communication. Our entire network
is powered by Microsoft Suite to provide the utmost ease in
the handling and exchange of data between clients and suppliers.
We consider providing a consistent application interface
for both our employees and our clients important
not only for the increased productivity realized within our
company, but also the enhanced ease of use for our clients.
J. D. Rush utilizes a Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 server farm, consisting of three servers, each configured to perform an exclusive set of functions:
Connectivity to our wide-aera network is routed by Cisco products and provided by DataCourse Internet Solutions. A 384K frame relay circuit delivered to the router delivers quick, dependable connectivity; an on-site firewall provides enhanced security. Individual employee workstations are all Pentium-class personal computers with processor speeds of at least 166MHz, 10/100MHz network interface cards, the entire Microsoft Office 97 suite, and fitted with internet access from the desktop.
Universal Inventory is an in-house software production to keep track of inventory, to manage purchasing orders and billing, and to interface with EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). With a MS-SQL back-end coded in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), it is stable, flexible, and standardized; these languages and platforms were chosen for their portability and platform independence, ensure compatibility with the greatest variety of hardware and software already employed by clients and suppliers. It will eventually have live reporting capabilities via the Web, and custom reports as requested. These reports, if permissible by J. D. Rush management, are capable of querying any transaction performed via Universal Inventory, which, in return, handles every facet of J. D. Rush inventory management. These reports themselves will be made available as live content on the Web. Universal Inventory will, in time, be able to perform more than the above reporting, but will also handle processes such as sales orders, purchase orders, and inventory management. The goal of Universal Inventory is to make J. D. Rush as streamlined, efficient, and easy to cooperate with as possible. In this way it is hoped that we can provide a service of unprecedented usefulness to our clients and suppliers, free from the incompatibilities and hidden costs that have come to be unjustly associated with on-line technology. |