Introduction
CARI, a key player in the beekeeping sector, wanted to modernize and simplify how beekeepers fill in and submit their purchase orders. The goal was twofold: to provide beekeepers with a more practical and intuitive tool, while reducing data entry time and improving the reliability of internal order processing.
Challenges
The existing ordering process required time-consuming manual entry and was not optimized for end users. Purchase orders, often submitted in different formats, led to lost time and increased the risk of typing errors.
The challenge was to design a secure online solution, accessible only to authenticated users, that would feed data directly into FileMaker to avoid duplicate entry. The system also needed to be future-proof, with the ability to integrate new features such as online payments or direct access to analysis reports.
Solutions
JAK Solutions developed a custom web platform that replicates the paper purchase order form, enhanced with advanced features:
- User account creation with secure login
- Smart forms with pre-filled fields (contact details, addresses), tooltips, and mandatory field validation
- Automatic calculation of prices and delivery times based on FileMaker parameters
- Ability to view and duplicate past orders to simplify reordering
Online orders are sent to an intermediate FileMaker table, allowing CARI staff to validate and import all data with a single click. The architecture was designed to be robust, scalable, and ready for future enhancements.
Impact
Beekeepers now benefit from a simple, efficient tool to place their orders, reducing administrative burdens.
For CARI, data entry time has been significantly reduced and data reliability improved thanks to direct FileMaker integration. The new platform also serves as a solid foundation for future developments, ensuring CARI has a modern, secure, and perfectly tailored system for its needs.
