Kiwanis International is the third largest service club organization in the world.  In 1998, Paragon Solutions was brought in to create a custom software application for local club's to help officers manage their administrative duties.  Although the software was designed in Access, it installs as a stand alone application that doesn't require the user to have Access installed.  The application utilizes an Outlook style interface, custom wizards and a customized installation script.  Currently, more than 2,000 Kiwanis clubs use the software to manage their club operations.  Visit the official KCMS website for additional information:

Click on an image below to view screenshots of the application:

Pulte Homes is the nation's largest residential home builder. A Fortune 200 corporation, Pulte operates in more than 40 markets through out the United States.  Paragon Solutions has developed several applications that integrate with Pulte's own systems for the divisions in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Tennessee. A brief summary of three applications are as follows:

Scheduling Database Application: (Access, PDF, Email, WinFax)

Pulte manages hundreds of trade vendors that are involved in the construction of every home.  Paragon Solutions developed an Access solution that replaced a manual tracking system consisting of a haphazard collection of Excel spreadsheets.  The database includes the ability to track and update complex construction schedules and then e-mail or fax a personalized schedule to each trade vendor.  The resulting increase in productivity and direct savings, included reducing a full time position to a task requiring only few hours per week.

Sales Database Application: (Access, ZIP)

The Sales Database is an Access solution developed to assist the sales personnel with customer relations out in the field.  The application replaced a system that consisted primarily of hand written documents, with a streamlined, robust CRM tool that increased efficiency, reduced mistakes, provided a professional image and capabilities that were not previously possible.  Developed completely in Access as a ground up solution, specific features include:

• Ability to setup multiple estimates and home configurations for potential customers.  Unique to the application is it's ability to prevent errors using complex logic and restrictions. For example, a sales person is only allowed to add options that are valid for a given plan, and that may require or exclude the use of other options.
• Converting an estimate to a sale and printing the appropriate documentation (contract, etc.)
• Adding addendums to the Purchase Agreement via standard or custom options
• Tracks the color selection process based on the options selected.
• Transmits important data to main office electronically and without user intervention, which is then imported into the Scheduling Database, eliminating the need for data entry (see above)
• Includes the ability to update itself overnight with new or updated information such as base house and option pricing, available plans and colors, etc.

Estimating and Budget Application:  (Visual Basic/Access/Multi-user)

The budget application was written in Visual Basic, compiled to a Windows executable, and interfaces with data stored in an Access database.  The application tracks pricing for vendors for every component used in building a house.  The result is the ability to analyze the cost of building specific plans and options at any given time, from the first nail to the last coat of paint.  Additionally, a version of the application is used by trade vendors to print invoices and pick lists based on current data.  This virtually eliminates the possibility of being overcharged, or having the wrong materials delivered to a job site.

Click on an image below to view screenshots of these applications in action. Note, the data shown has been modified to protect confidential information.