|
Client: ExpressAutoParts.com LLC
Category: Online retail
Project: E-commerce and marketing systems
Location: New York, NY
Duration: 1999-2001
One of our most demanding projects in realtime e-commerce is ExpressAutoParts.com,
the leader in online independent auto parts sales. Our roles at "EAP" were expansive. Not only did
we provide technical project management for all development, we headed up design and support for
in-house services such as customer service and marketing and we were heavily involved in strategy.
We integrated dozens of third party applications, markeing partnerships and referral programs.
Our tenure at EAP was charactarized by RAD or Rapid Application
Development techniques that saw multiple simultaneous project running in parallel. It's also
where we finally split the design team from the front—end code team, permanently divorcing
creative work from technical considerations.
It was at ExpressAutoParts.com that we pulled off our most impressive
realtime electronic inventory, a virtual inventory system spanning 4 locations in 3 states that
automatically selected preferred warehouses based on location and availability, handled split
shipments where required, calculated final shipping cost and settled transactions instantly.
Trevor and Tom got a good workout on this one, Tom was kept booked at least 3 months out at all
times and Trevor was managing over 20 people.
ExpressAutoParts.com draws millions of visitors annually (sometimes monthly) and produces top
performance. ExpressAutoParts initially grew like gangbusters but suffered a setback in funding
in late 2001. Strategic priorities shifted from high growth with lots of new development to
no new development and an emphasis on maintaining operations with a minimal team. We
successfully pared ExpressAutoParts.com down to fighting weight in record time. EAP survived
and thrived! So did dataSpheric.
This and several other of our "dot—com experiences taught us that flexibility and quick
response to change is crucial in business.
Next Success Story
Back To Success Index Page
dataSpheric Home Page
|
