Farm Credit Canada

Farm Credit Canada is the nation's leading agricultural lender. With a portfolio valued at over $26 billion, FCC provides financing, insurance and other services to Canadian farmers and agri-food businesses.

Requirements

FCC wanted their web-based 'vision panel' to be a place where members could answer surveys, take part in online focus groups and share ideas. The solution would need to mobile friendly and accessible to thousands of panelists, many of whom live in rural areas and lack high-speed internet.

Beyond connecting its membership, FCC's goal was to collect troves of high-quality data and continue to lead the industry in reporting on Canadian agricultural trends, patterns and opinions.

Solution

Urban Lighthouse created the Vision Research panel, a secure online community that benefits both FCC and its members. It's a place where panelists can log in, share and discuss ideas about the agricultural sector and connect with other likeminded professionals. With the points-based reward system, panelists are encouraged to answer surveys and rack up points that can be redeemed online for gift cards from popular retailers.

For FCC staff, the panel is so much more: It’s a customer management system that allows non-technical administrators to easily design surveys, invite random panel members to participate via email and manage the data set. The simple built-in reporting tools allow FCC to extract valuable quantitative data, which is used to bolster their reports, blogs, news releases and more.

Calgary Counselling Centre

The Calgary Counselling Centre is a charitable organization that helps Calgarians and their families by providing one-on-one counselling services and group programs.

Requirements

CCC wanted a comprehensive software solution to handle client onboarding, recordkeeping, results tracking, counsellor assignments and timesheets. On top of automating these processes, they also wanted to better measure client progress, satisfaction and therapeutic success.

CCC's processes, at the time, were largely paper-dependent: Counsellors filled out hardcopy timesheets after every session. Clients filled out paper questionnaires, which were then scored by counsellors who manually charted their progress against statistical benchmarks. It was a slow process with lots of room for improvement.

Solution

Urban Lighthouse developed a system that allows CCC to manage client files in an organized and efficient way. The intake system allows Calgarians to reach out to the CCC through easy, self-serve online registration. And from there, each client’s visits, treatment history and test results are all stored in the reliable digital tracking system.

With the new system, it’s much easier for clients to answer questionnaires (using tablets) and even easier for care providers to evaluate their progression. The software measures, assesses and charts questionnaire results to show how well a client is responding to their treatment and connecting with their counsellor.

The team at CCC realizes the importance of measuring the success of their services. Having a reliable, accurate and credible system ensures clients receive the highest level of service possible.

Canadian Remarketing Group

Canadian Remarketing Group is a leader in the vehicle remarketing industry. They help banks, leasing firms, fleet owners and rental companies recondition and auction their used vehicles to dealers across Canada.

Requirements

In 2005, CRG had big ideas about how to improve their online auction site and inventory system, but came up against a wall of outdated technology. Their legacy software, with its limited functionality, was on the edge of retirement.

CRG staff decided, if they were to start from scratch, the new system would have to be modern, sustainable and scalable, with the ability to be rebranded for use by their many affiliates.

Solution

Urban Lighthouse and CRG worked closely to develop a new system from the ground up — a twofold solution that would streamline both pre-sale and auction processes.

The new inventory management system tracks each vehicle through its lifecycle, from intake to sale. The mobile app, which allows mechanics to submit inspection data using smartphones, hooks directly into the system. It’s efficient, reliable and easy to use.

The auction site has also improved the buyer and seller experiences considerably. Much like eBay, the purchasing process is simple, secure and just works.

Software tends to have a short lifespan, but by building a solution to be scalable and evolvable, you can extend its best before date. It’s a telling fact that, nearly a decade later, CRG, its affiliates and customers are still satisfied with the solution developed by Urban Lighthouse.

HomeFront

HomeFront is a non-profit organization that works to reduce domestic violence in Calgary. They partner with police to respond to conflicts, connect victims with support services and help them navigate the court process.

Requirements

HomeFront has helped over 26,000 victims of domestic violence, but before 2008, most of their case files were kept in filing cabinets. With staff and specialists located all over the city, finding a particular victim record could pose quite the challenge.

Since HomeFront offers four types of assistance, case files were essentially separated into four different piles. Connecting the dots to plot a victim’s complete, cross-program history was often impossible.

HomeFront needed a system that would centralize their data and make it accessible over the web to their diverse workforce. This new application would go beyond file organization: it needed to amass meaningful data and allow staff to extract and analyze patterns about victims, human behaviour and the courts.

Solution

HomeFront’s online records management system is a success. It tracks, centralizes and connects records across programs and through the court process, allowing case workers to see the big picture surrounding a victim’s situation.

Each program, and each module within HomeFront’s solution, contributes to the data collection process. For instance, as a victim’s case moves through court, any charges, events and outcomes are recorded. This allows HomeFront to track trends and find out the best way to advocate for victims.

The transition to a centralized filing system has opened the flow of communication amongst HomeFront’s widespread workforce. An online docket keeps staff updated throughout the day with real-time court data. It’s a secure, organized and easy to use hub that gives them the information they need, when they need it. No more shipping files back and forth.

HomeFront has been using this province-approved solution for over five years now. Urban Lighthouse looks forward to continuing to work with HomeFront on their quest to reduce domestic violence in the Calgary region.

Intactix

Intactix Systems is a Calgary-based software firm leading the way in the real-time measurement, reporting and improvement of safety culture.

Requirements

Target Zero, a key product for Intactix, helps organizations understand, manage and stay on top of the often-misunderstood Workers Compensation Board (WCB) claims process. The software was originally developed as a desktop application, installed locally on a client’s computer. However, five years into circulation, the software hadn’t changed much, and while its core value and purpose was still highly relevant, the software itself wasn’t scalable, the user interfaces had an outdated feel and client implementation was a bit of a chore. The team at Intactix knew it was time to make the change to a web-based SaaS platform.

Not only would this new delivery method attract more customers (no installation required!) but it would allow Intactix to continuously improve Target Zero through server-side updates. Enter Urban Lighthouse.

Solution

The largest change to the Target Zero platform was migrating it to a web-based, multi-tenant architecture. This architecture allows Intactix to reduce the implementation time and costs for customers while also drastically reducing the maintenance overhead. Additionally, clients are now able to access their solution anywhere they have an internet connection. The new platform also features a sleek, easy-to-understand responsive interface and a bunch of enhancements to its functionality.

As a user progresses through the steps of managing a claim, they’re provided with scenario-specific forms and policies from a document library that is automatically updated as WCB requirements change. And when it comes to managing multiple claims, coordinators can stay on top of things with dashboards that report real-time statistics and a notification panel listing all upcoming deadlines and responsibilities.

The overarching purpose of Target Zero is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of claim management, something that organizations highly value. After all, a good track record can help them qualify for discounts on WCB premiums and reduce incidents overall. Thanks to Intactix’ expertise in safety and injury management and Urban Lighthouse’s technical knowhow, the new Target Zero application is helping more organizations take control of WCB claim management, and save money and (lost) time in the process.

G.K. Hills

G.K. Hills is a tank inspection company that delivers innovative and efficient inspection services to upstream producers in Western Canada, with a steadfast focus on quality, safety and client satisfaction.

Requirements

When starting a business, some entrepreneurs wing it, while others do just the opposite. From its beginnings, G.K. Hills was built upon a foundation of established procedures and business rules in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standards. The company’s founder and principal broke down the tank-inspection process and developed a set of proprietary processes that consistently deliver timely, professional and high-quality results.

One of the keys to realizing G.K. Hills’ unique approach to inspection services involved introducing state-of-the-art digital pen technology. Third-party inspectors use these pens to complete inspection forms in the field. While in use, the pens digitize and store the data internally for later upload via USB, eliminating the wait time between the inspection and form submission.

All that was missing from G.K. Hills’ innovative system was an integrated software platform to receive inspection data and allow staff to administer projects in a controlled, multi-user environment.

Solution

Urban Lighthouse developed the Project Engagement Management System, or PEMS, to mirror and support G.K. Hills’ existing procedures and quality management plan. The system enables staff to digitally manage every facet of the project management and inspection processes, from the moment an estimate is calculated to the generation of final reports. G.K. Hills staff now access and administer data in one, centralized system, accessible from anywhere with web access.

In addition to projects, PEMS also organizes all of G.K. Hills’ client data, tank data, orders and authorizations, inspector timesheets, inspection forms, results and digital photos. It allows staff to generate invoices and close-out reports with just a few clicks. It’s controlled, so only certain types of users can access and change certain types of data, as well as self-managed. G.K. Hills personnel have the ability to manage client lists, vendor lists and users themselves.

With the implementation of PEMS, G.K. Hills was able to accomplish its modern and novel business goals using modern and novel technology.