Chong Qing Planning Exhibition Gallery

Background

Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery, located in Chongqing Chiu Tin Mun Square, from lower ground one to fourth, total ground gross floor area of approximately 60,000 sq meter, over 30,000 sq meter hall space, the largest planning and infrastructure exhibition gallery in China, the key social and culture project at Chongqing in 2005.

The Gallery put emphasis on high technology devices to show change and development of Chongqing city. Hong Kong Alfacom International Holdings invited by Chongqing to design fifteen multimedia games, and install complete audio and visual facilities.

Challenge

Multimedia Game: The purposes of Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery are to show the future appearance of Chongqing city and the knowledge of city planning. These special knowledge and technical terms are difficult to understand. So, how to use these fifteen multimedia games to let visitors to understand, reinforce the impressions of Chongqing city, is a big challenge. Moreover, we would through the high level audio and visual facilities to built up the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery social status.

The audio and visual facilities installation: The large scale of construction site that adopted diverse countries facilities, which requires fully understand of different hardware and its usage. Also, we need to corporate with different teams; their members come from different countries or province. They join us in different stages; we need to approve these teams to join us in smooth and prove construction in time.

Solution

Multimedia Game production: All these fifteen games are designed by Hong Kong Alfacom International Holdings, ideas comes from:

Built up a city in space that conform concept of city planning

Reconstruct the old city into vitality, prerequisite are transport facilities development and cultural relics preservation

Watch different Chongqing landmarks by web cam in real time or earlier recording

Re-experience old Chongqing urban area on map, by check out seventeen “Ancient gate”

Enjoy next 5-10 years city life and furniture in simulating home comditions

Use the satellite map to introduce Chongqing city area and different landmark in a bird's eye view.

The visitor would understand the distance restriction in city planning by a chess game

Enjoy the driving experience at highway and urban area of Chongqing by a large projection screen and 3D simulation technology

Visitor will enjoy the flying experience in Chongqing sky, via the satellite image and 3D simulation situation

The landscape of the city will perform on the touch screen that signed a treaty of friendship with Chongqing

Our interactive software will keep and collect the visitor comment

Visitor can have a photo taken beside different Chongqing landmark, via the compound technology

The curator will talk with visitor in a virtual condition

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions?

Alfacom was founded in 1999, a professional I.T company, was able to built different interactive web site. We obtain the BDA best web site award by the Star TV music web site - Cest La V. We strive to meet the needs of different China government department by tailoring our services to suit them on each and every occasion. It's our ability to successfully combine specialist expertise with high quality service that led us to become a successful IT company and obtain the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery contract.

Commercial

The construction speed of Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery is the fastest in the history, already opened in 27 September 2005, the guest of 2005 Asia Pacific Cities Summit praised. The Gallery raises the status of Chongqing city and built up a active, high technology and full of potential image。

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, improve efficiency in Computer Hardware & Software Fixed Asset Management in Hong Kong

Since 1995, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi has adopted the Hardcat Fixed Asset Management solution to manage all their fixed asset items from office desks to multi-million computer servers.

Background

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Hong Kong Branch, is the local representative office of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Japan which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group, Inc., a publicly-owned joint stock corporation incorporated in Japan. With core business focus in commercial banking services, Hong Kong branch offices mainly serving Japanese companies or their branch offices in Hong Kong.

Challenge

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi had no effective means to track and audit their large pool of fixed assets. The manual process was very labour intensive and tedious. The management and auditing of these fixed assets has become a costly task in the corporation.

As a publicly listed bank, a complete and proven solution is needed. A proven system was required with functions to easily audit among varies locations & departments, barcoding & recording all assets.

Solution

Alfacom introduced the Hardcat - Asset Management Solution to Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. Hardcat is a proven fixed asset management solution, It comprises of several software modules that address different fixed asset management needs. The unique and easy-to-use bar-code scanning peripherals dramatically speeds up the auditing process, translating to real cost savings.

The following modules has been adopted:

Core System

A complete standalone system for a total control over the entire asset base. It is a relational asset inventory database which records, manages and reports the complete information concern all assets.

Barcode Auditing Module

Offers a fast, accurate and discreet method to improve labour, time & cost efficient by automated data collection and auditing process

Depreciation & Insurance Module

Automate depreciation & revaluation calculations and generate reports in unlimited user definable ways. Significant cost & time savings on depreciation & revaluation calculations.

Purchasing & Budgeting Module

Automate purchasing and improved budget control detailed by supplier location, cost centre and date; offers comprehensive management control of all order processing of assets, from purchase to final disposal.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Hardcat is a world-class company specializing in the provision of asset management solutions to an international client base of private and public sector organizations since 1981. With experience serving more than 1,000 organization worldwide, the Hardcat discovered a fixed asset management, method that would turn asset auditing into a fast and error-free process. It is a ready and proven solution, where minimum customization is needed with shortest learning curve involved.

Alfacom is the authorized, exclusive distributor of Hardcat. Together, we offer the comprehensive Fixed Asset Management solutions for years. to large corporations and Government in Hong Kong.

Business Benefits

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Hong Kong Branch has now a complete picture of all assets under their control. This enabled them to rationalize their asset base and sell off assets not required as well as optimize what remained. The major additional benefit being that the Hardcat software then continued to control all aspects of their assets.

Key Components

> Software component

Hardcat Fixed Asset Management Software -

* Core System

* Barcode Auditing Module

* Depreciation & Insurance Module

* Purchasing & Budgeting Module

> Hardware component

Barcoding Peripherals

* SPT1700 Barcode Reader, cradle, serial cable, power supply & Lithium-ion battery

Service element

* Initial Consultation Services

* Installation, Configuration, Testing and Initial Set-up Consultancy & Training

* Maintenance Support

Cestlav.com

Cestlav.com, developed and maintained by Alfacom Solutions, is the official website for Star TV's youth music channel - Channel [V]'s prime time programme C'EST LA V. The website contains entertainment news, music video, show streaming, online games and member area, is the close work between the design team of Channel [V] and Alfacom Solutions. The website won the BDA Asia Design Award for the best website in 2000 and 2001.

Background

Channel [V] has become Asia's most famous music channel through its serious commitment to the local pop music scene, reflecting the music choices and opinions of its vast Asian audience. C'EST LA V are the prime time programme of Channel [V] which targeted on the younger generation in Asia.

Challenge

* Channel [V] looks for not only service provider but also creative partner to construct C'EST LA V's homepage. Alfacom Solutions should show the innovation to satisfy the client's expectation.

* As Channel [V] is popular among Asia's youngster, Alfacom solutions should guarantee the best connection and powerful support to Cestlav.com when the website is browsed by a large number of visitors in the same time.

* The construction of the website should entirely meet to the scheduled timeframe as it should be launched with the show simultaneously.

Solution

* The construction of Cestlav.com can be divided into 3 stages: The first stage, Channel [V] submits and describes the general requirements of the task and Alfacom Solutions work out the blueprint according to the requirements. The second stage, Alfacom Solutions consults and inspires the creative method, e.g. the flash games "music mixing machine" in order to strengthen the presentation of the website. The last stage, the construction, modification and launching of the website.

* Alfacom Solutions provides 24 hours technical and emergency support for Cestlav.com. The website connection is always under monitoring and a stability report will be submit to Channel [V] regularly.

* Alfacom Solutions carried out a time schedule with Channel [V] , the staff of Alfacom and Channel [V] are strictly requested to process under the schedule. The website finally launched with the show together at July 2000.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Channel [V] understood that Alfacom Solutions have the strong experience of website design and development including sports, entertainment, corporate and profession. They also appreciated our staff's work and believed that we can meet their requirement of both art design and technical skills. We delivered the project on time and exceed their expectation.

Client's quote

"I am proudly to announce that the 2000 BDA Asia Design Award for best website has been given to Cestlav.com for this year. The award is a very big deal. Its category had some big competition and to win is really something special (honest). The award is given to the best website created to promote the image of a television or radio station, channel, or programme'. It is a first great success for the collaboration between you alfacomese and we channelvese. And we believe that REWARDS ALWAYS COMES AFTER HARD WORKS. So million thanks for all the hard works and times you guys have contributed."

Channel V

Asso.Creative Director

KAHING

EPSON HK Improves web site performance

EPSON Hong Kong Ltd. provides an eService web site, which enables its distributors to access business information via the use of web browser. However, the performance of the web service is well below EPSON's expectation. EPSON, thus, contracted Alfacom Solutions to optimize the performance of the web site.

End result? EPSON eService web site is now running much faster and more efficient. The distributors can now easily access the system and retrieve up-to-date information and reports.

Background

In 1980, EPSON Hong Kong Ltd. (formerly EPSON Electronics Trading Ltd.) was established as a marketing arm of its parent company, SEIKO EPSON Corporation. EPSON brought to Hong Kong a variety of exceptionally high quality products including computers, printers and a comprehensive range of electronic devices. Now, more than two decades on, EPSON Hong Kong Ltd. has progressed in leaps and bounds, while continuing to fulfill its commitment to serving the territory.

Challenge

Alfacom Solutions was brought in to identify the bottleneck of the eService system. Namely, the web access performance is far below their distributors' expectation. In order to satisfy the expectation of their distributors, it is critical to optimize the performance of the eService system via various means, including system tuning and programming code optimization.

EPSON's eService web site is a heterogeneous system and a very diverse skill set, including strong Java programming skills, in-depth knowledge of IBM Websphere family, IBM AS/400 DB2 database and SUN Solaris system.

Solution

Alfacom Solutions conducted a 2-phase project to enhance the performance of the system. In Phase One, our system architect was brought in and performed a thorough on-site evaluation, aiming to identify the problems. Then a review meeting was held at the end of Phase One to discuss the findings with Epson. In addition, we demonstrated how optimizing the program code can speed up the performance of the web site.

In Phase Two, we carried out the necessary changes in the program codes and system setting to optimize the system performance.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Technical staff of Alfacom Solutions possesses diversified skills that are mandatory in optimizing Epson's heterogeneous system. Our team is very knowledgeable Java expert and can identify the inefficient code and suggest code enhancement.

In the project, Alfacom delivers the project on-time and exceeds Epson's expectation.

Business Benefits

After the revamp and enhancement, the overall system performance is dramatically improved. Some functions are almost 40 times faster after the optimization.

Distributors are very pleased with the performance and in turn the usage of the system has been increased.

Based on the positive feedback from the valued users, Epson is now ready to roll out more e-business service to provide much better service and at the same time lower its costs.

Key Components

> Software component

* IBM Websphere Commerce Suite

* AS/400 DB2

* Microsoft SQL Server

* Netscape Enterprise Server

* Sun Solaris

>Key Components

* Sun Enterprise Server 3500

* Service element

* Java application development

* System administration and tuning

Eu Yang Sang Worldwide e-commerce Portal

Eu Yan Sang is a well-established company around the globe. It has a total of 55 outlets in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, and its products are sold in over 5,000 drugstores, supermarkets, medical halls, and convenience stores worldwide. With the vision to extend their sales channel via the Internet, Eu Yan Sang have developed their own Internet Strategy and contact Alfacom Solutions to establish their own e-commerce and Traditional Chinese Medicine Encyclopedia portal site.

Background

Eu Yan Sang was found in 1879. It is recognized and established as a leader in distributing and manufacturing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Asia. They aim to extend their tradition of excellence and commitment to become a global consumer healthcare company providing products and services based on TCM and other Asian health practices. In 1997, Eu Yan Sang consolidated operations in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Challenge

In order to survive in such aggressive marketplace, Eu Yan Sang wanted to offer a different approach to online shopping, shorten the time-to-market to promote their products, provide the latest news and continuous herbal knowledge and settle transaction payment in real time basis. This aim has resulted in partnership with Alfacom Solutions by applying IBM advanced e-commerce technology and using open source standard to give Eu Yan Sang gaining edge over their competitors.

Eu Yan Sang e-commerce portal site is a sophisticated system and a very diverse skill set, including strong Java programming and PHP skills, in-depth knowledge of IBM Websphere Commerce Suite, IBM DB2 database and IBM PC server system.

Solution

Alfacom Solutions proposed a solution that offered flexible customization and fast implementation. Eu Yan Sang portal site is hosted in Hong Kong well-known Data Center. IBM Websphere Commerce Suite Pro was chosen as the e-commerce engine. By leveraging its ability to cleanly separate the development of the portal's highly customized presentation features, using standard HTML, PHP and Macromedia's Flash, while maximizing the value of the rich functionality provided by core Websphere Commerce Suite capabilities. The commerce engine is integrated with Eu Yan Sang chosen bank payment system so that online shoppers can enjoy real time transaction settlement by using their credit cards. Besides, the system also provides self-service approach for shoppers to keep tracking their own ordering and payment status.

A web based Content Management System built by PHP is provided for Eu Yan Sang regional administrators to publish localized content such as herbal information, company news, annual report and etc to the portal site. All content is centralized in the back-end database. All the confidential information transmission over the Internet is protected by the SSL security protocol.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Eu Yan Sang evaluated a number of e-commerce solutions before approaching Alfacom Solutions. The decision to employ Alfacom Solutions was based on our recommendation of an open, standards-based and industrial-strength solution. Alfacom Solutions also an IBM Business Partner and specialized in e-business applications and technologies, to deliver a complete solution from designing the site to integrating the e-commerce engine to the bank payment system.

Technical staff of Alfacom Solutions possesses diversified technology skills and equips with professional project management experience. We deliver the project on time and exceed Eu Yan Sang's expectation.

Business Benefits

After the system implementation, both the overall sales performance and customer satisfaction are dramatically improved.

Eu Yan Sang management is very pleased with the system in turn the sales monitoring and reporting. Fulfillment efficiency are highly increased due to the end-to-end ordering automation

Based on the positive feedback from the valued users, Eu Yan Sang is now ready to roll out more shops to provide much better service and at the same time lower its costs.

Key Components

> Software component

* IBM Websphere Application Server

* IBM HTTP Server

* IBM Websphere Commerce Suite Pro

* IBM DB2 Universal Database

* Microsoft Windows NT Server

> Hardware component

* IBM PC Server X220

> Service element

* Java, PHP and IBM Net.Data application development

* Web Design

* Electronic Payment Integration

Financial Chronicle on the web

With over 20 years experience in the field, Financial Chronicle's commitment and their history in the marketplace have allowed them to accumulate a large volume of transaction and information (over 200,000 records) of the real estate market. In existing, Financial Chronicle's core business is to issue hardcopy transaction reports to their members in a daily basis. Those reports cover all areas of property projects including Residential, Commercial and Industrial. Besides, they also issue building profile CDROM every year to their members for off-line reference. Leveraging the convenience and anytime access of Internet benefits, they have initialized a vision on transforming their existing business services from Off-line basis to On-line basis. Financial Chronicle, thus, contracted Alfacom Solutions to develop an Extranet Property Information and Analysis portal site.

Background

Financial Chronicle, established in 1979, is the most experienced Real Estate Information House in Hong Kong. Their research team understands and monitors Hong Kong's property market and provides a complete and up-to-date analysis to their subscriber daily. Being a leading real estate information provider in the market, Financial Chronicle members come from wide spectrum of specialty including famous Real Estate Developers, Valuators, Bankers, Real Estate Agencies, Brokers and those who view Real Estate development in Hong Kong as a long-term investment.

Challenge

With over 200,000 transactions and more than 4,000 building profiles, both the existing non-scalable computer system and office physical space are running out of capacity if the information keep growing exponentially every day. Besides, prolong printing process on delivering transaction information cannot satisfy nowadays client expectation. Without integrating the transaction and the building profile information together into one deliverable, the members cannot get the in-depth information of each transaction. There will have no significant growth in revenue if the overhead such as paper, printing cost and etc are keep increasing. Today clients are so demanding and the competition is so vigorous in the market and it is inevitable for Financial Chronicle moves to on-line business.

Solution

Alfacom Solutions Professional Services team conducted a four months period to complete the Financial Chronicle Extranet Property Information and Analysis portal site and services including from requirement study to application deployment. The project scope is mainly divided into four parts. The first part is the core application development. The application is written in Java and runs on the top of JBoss Application Server connecting to IBM DB2 as a back-end database. Functions include: Building Profile Retrieval combines with dynamic Flash Generator tool (J Generator) which provides an interactive way for subscribers to view different graphical plans; Transaction Retrieval, Home Seeker, Home Valuation, Market Pointer and Property Analysis. The second part is the Client/Server basis Content Management System development. The system is written in Microsoft Visual Basic and it natively connects to the database server through ODBC connection. The third part is the schedule basis matching scripting which run every night in order to avoid daily operation impact. The scripting is used to match all the transaction instances to particular building profile in order to feed adequate data for the system to perform analysis. The fourth part is the database migration and data propagation.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Technical staff of Alfacom Solutions possesses diversified skills. Our team is very knowledgeable in Java and database integration. In the project, Alfacom delivers the project on time and exceeds Financial Chronicle's expectation.

Business Benefits

After transformed the core business into the Internet, Financial Chronicle retains the leading position in the market. Subscribers are very pleased with the performance and convenience. Based on the positive feedback from the valued users, Financial Chronicle is now ready to roll out more property services and at the same time lower their operation costs.

Key Components

> Software component

* JBoss J2EE Server on Linux

* J Generator

* IBM DB2 on Linux

* Linux Redhat

> Hardware component

* Compag PC Servers

> Service element

* Java application development

* Microsoft VB application development

* Web Design

* Data Migration and Propagation

Fong & Ng Solicitors

In order to upgrade their Information System to cater for the business growth, Fong & Ng Solicitors Ltd. partnered with Alfacom Solutions Ltd. to evaluate their IT environment and provide ongoing maintenance, administration and training of their overall IT system.

Now, Fong & Ng Solicitors gets excellent and reliable IT services from Alfacom whilst lowering their overall IT support costs.

Background

Fong & Ng is a medium sized, proactive and progressive law firm based in Hong Kong which provides a full range of legal services to both local and international commercial clients. The firm specializes in the areas of corporate and commercial law, finance and securities, banking, joint ventures in China, information technology, conveyancing, litigation and probate. Their lawyers have considerable legal and commercial experience in Hong Kong and China, as well as internationally. We are thus ideally positioned to serve the needs of a broad range of clients.

Challenge

Today’s IT environment is very complicated, is most often made up of various different systems that requires different skill sets to administer and manage. After careful assessment, Fong & Ng decided to outsource its IT maintenance, repair, support, sourcing, system enhancement and consultancy services to a trusted partner. Alfacom, already has a long and close business relationship with them, was invited to analyse their needs, provide our professional advise and implement measures to improve their system and enhance their efficiency at minimum cost.

Solution

Alfacom organized an outsourcing team to support Fong and Ng Solicitors. In addition, a qualified on-site engineer is stationed full-time in Fong & Ng’s office to facilitate, service and support the daily operation to all IT system. The Project Manager oversees the progress of the projects and provides professional IT consultancy service.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Alfacom have profound IT experience in the legal firm industry. In the project, Alfacom delivers the project on-time and exceeds Fong & Ng’s expectation.

Business Benefits

After outsourcing their IT administration work to Alfacom, Fong & Ng gets high quality IT administrative service, supported by a team of IT professionals. At the same time, Fong & Ng lowers the cost of IT support so they can invest in other IT systems that further improves their productivity.

Ultimately, the lawyers and staff work more effectively with improved electronic communication. In turn, productivity is raised.

Key Components

> Service element

* Lotus Notes administration

* Microsoft OS administration

* Networking administration

* IT consultation

Hastings adopted Nexus to ease their legal operations.

As their I.T. system aged, Hastings looked for a legal practice management system to increase productivity and enhance support to their clients. The system must help them to centralize their cases, documents, accounting information. Therefore, Hastings contacted Alfacom to provide a solution - Nexus - a professional legal practice system.

After the deployment of Nexus, the overall efficiency and effectiveness of Hastings have been improved significantly.

Background

Hastings & Co., with a long and established history, is yet a dynamic firm moving with the times.

The Partners have looked beyond the turn of the 21st century and have developed an extensive and comprehensive practice in recent years to meet the ever-increasing needs of their clients for full legal services.

Major areas of practice of the firm include Civil & Criminal Litigation, Insurance, Personal Injuries, Banking, Corporate Finance, Acquisition, Commercial, Company Secretarial, Intellectual Property, Conveyancing, Employment, Landlord & Tenant, Family, Will & Probate and China-related Services.

Challenge

Hastings wanted a robust legal firm system that can manage documents, clients, accounting and financial information with tight tracking and centralized storage. The accounting practice of the new system must be designed based on legal firm industry. On Civil and Criminal Litigation department, there are many import tasks that the lawyers must take action on a tight deadline. Migrating the old database to the new system flawlessly also posed a challenge.

Solution

As a result of the needs outlined above, Alfacom recommended a solution, Nexus, squarely met all of the above requirements and objectives of Hastings. The Time Costing Module, the allocation of time cost of lawyers involved in a matter can be easily calculated. The Billing Module, the disbursement, time cost and adjustment can be shown clearly. In the individual client account, the deposit account and prepaid account can be shown separately. The Scheduler function, Lawyers and Secretaries can manage their cases and remind him the importance task to do on a specific date and time. After the trial run, the old database has been migrated to new system safely.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Nexus has been developed for over 10 years. It is a tested and proven product that has grown along with law firm clients' requirements. Also, Nexus is a mature off-the-shelf software solution so that Hastings doesn't need to spend a lot of money and time in customization.

Business Benefits

Nexus has improved the office productivity and is allowing Hastings to achieve the cost savings goals. With the centralized system, Lawyers, Secretaries and Accountancies can easily retrieve up-to-date information and reports in seconds. Litigation department has an alert system to manage their importance tasks. Accounting department can generate the financial report faster than before.

Key Components

> Software component

* Microsoft SQL Server

* Microsoft Windows OS

* VB

* Crystal Report

> Hardware component

* IBM X Series Servers

Service element

* Microsoft VB application development

* Data Migration

Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2001

The Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) was founded in 1970 as a non-profit making professional body with the primary objective to promote the uses of information technology (IT) in Hong Kong by providing a medium for disseminating knowledge and promoting the appreciation of IT and related tools.

Background

The Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC) has been organized by the Hong Kong Computer Society since 1978 to provide an open platform for IT professionals in Hong Kong and the region to present their research papers and to share their experience. It aims at fostering an understanding of the latest technology trends as well as promoting the industry's professional standards.

The Society has adopted the dual location concept since 1994. Two sessions have been organized for each Conference with the first session held in Hong Kong and the second session in a major city in Mainland China. In the past few years, the conference has been held in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Beijing, Dalian and Qingdao respectively. Through these twin sessions, the conference has successfully promoted experience and knowledge sharing between IT professionals in Hong Kong and those in Mainland China.

Challenge

Hong Kong Computer Society looks for a design agency to responsible for the HKICC event image design, website and printing production. Some of their projects only have very limited production time. Therefore, their agency must have a strong design and project management team to fulfill their needs. A reliable and quality printing production services also play an important role in the HKICC project.

Solution

Alfacom Solutions offers one-stop solution service from concept design to printing production. We work with HKCS to clearly understand the client immediate needs and long-term goals. We agree on HKCS objectives and create a strategic plan action for the project. We also establish project scope, budget and a detail work plan.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

With Alfacom Solutions professional and experienced design team, we offer the full services to our client within their budget. Our aim is to ensure the quality of the products and reduce the client extra workload.

Business Benefits

After enhance the event image, it attracts more sponsors and visitors to the event than last year. Based on the positive feedback from the HKCS and the sponsors, HKCS is now ready to assign HKICC 2002 event project to Alfacom in the coming year.

Scope of work

* Event Website design and development

* Event Advertising

* Event Hand Book

* Various Event Brochures and Leaflets

* Event Ticket

* Event CD-Rom Design and Production

Scope of services

* Concept Design

* Finished Artwork and Film Output Processing

* Printing Production

Dr. Lo Wing Lok's Office on the Net

Dr. Lo has an official web site, which enables the public users to access his recent Legislative Council speeches and questions on medical and health policies. In addition, the public users can search for Dr. Lo's recent and past articles via the use of web browser.

Dr. Lo is also the first legislator ever to use the Internet to broadcast live programme weekly to electorate to members of the public. This programme is accessible at his official web site. During the programme, he will report on what happened in The Legislative Council and will discuss policy issues and current affairs with his co-hosts. He also makes use of the programme to educate the public on health and hygiene. The audience may join the discussion by calling in anytime.

However, the overall performance of the service provider was well below Dr. Lo's expectation. Dr. Lo, thus, contacted Alfacom Solutions to revamp his official website.

Background

Dr. Lo is a Medical Practitioner (Private Practice). In 2000, Dr. Lo became a member of Legislative Council, HKSAR to represent the Medical Functional Constituency. He is also currently the President of the Hong Kong Medical Association and Member of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.

Challenge

The information on the Dr. Lo website, and especially the real-time broadcasting section, is essential to thousands of public users searching their information.

Alfacom Solutions was brought in to complete a website building. With a particular concern on the far below expectation of web broadcasting performance, it is critical to optimize the performance of the web infrastructure via various means, including live webcast configuration and program encoding optimization.

Alfacom Solutions needed to provide experienced systems administrators to manage and maintain video streaming servers.

Solution

Alfacom Solutions conducted a 2-phase project to enhance the performance of the website. To meet design for Dr. Lo's requirement, our designers were brought in and conducted a full evaluation of the website. A new website concept was developed to tie in more closely with the overall image of Dr. Lo and its work. Also, a functional navigation system was developed to make the site easy to navigate and visually appropriate.

The database of Dr. Lo's speeches and articles had to be fully searchable by people visiting the site. To make searching as powerful and user-friendly as possible, Alfacom Solutions created an on-line searching system that provides English and Chinese search functionality. In addition, we developed a forum for exchange and discussion on health sector topics through an online bulletin board. All bulletin board messages are archived on the website and each message specifies the sender, date and subject of the message, and content of the message.

In Phase Two, our technical staff carried out an on-site surveillance. After the surveillance is completed, we figured out the considerations for connectivity, the location of the camera and the software and hardware requirements for live broadcasting. When all the configuration tasks for production and encoding were completed, our designers started to work on the design of the launch environment. The art direction was of particular importance because it gave a webcast its aesthetic appeal. Therefore we considered the video design must match the website appropriately. They should complement each other and make the entire production cohesive. Furthermore, the video design should be easy to navigate and quick to load.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Dr. Lo worked with Alfacom Solutions in various projects before, so understood that we focus on technically advanced Internet solutions, with particular emphasis on features, usability, performance and security. Technical staff of Alfacom Solutions possesses diversified skills that are mandatory in optimizing Dr. Lo's website. Moreover, Dr. Lo understood that we have the skill and flexibility to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies.

In the project, Alfacom delivers the project on-time and exceeds Dr. Lo's expectation.

Business Benefits

The job was completed on time for the agreed launch date to the agreed budget. After the revamp and enhancement, the overall website design and live broadcasting performance are dramatically improved.

Dr. Lo was pleased with the design concept and functionality of the site and was especially happy with improved real time broadcasting programme and increased traffic to the site. Alfacom Solutions is still working closely with Dr. Lo, providing maintenance support and constantly increasing functionality on the existing site.

Key Components

> Software component

* Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

* Microsoft Windows embedded Media Streaming Service

> Hardware component

* High Quality Web Camera

* Real-time Video Capturing Server

* Streaming and Achieving Server

Service element

* On-site assessment study and infrastructure recommendation

* Hardware setup and configuration

* Web interface production to deliver real time video broadcasting

* System installation and configuration

* Security protection

* Skill transfer to administrators for operational maintenance

* Production deployment

* Backup contingency

SAFE Superstore e-Commerce Project

SAFE Superstore is the biggest and leading superstore in Singapore. SAFE has been long relied on Information Technology to cope with it fast growing business. The SAFE has a modern Information Technology infrastructure that streamlined and consolidated the entire operation from front office to back office.

Background

SAFE started in November 1973 with the humble aim to offer welfare benefits and marked down prices on household goods for Singapore Armed Force staff. Today, SAFE Superstore has grown into a leading retailer, reowned for the widest range of audio/visual home entertainment products, home and kitchen appliances, telecommunication equipment, IT products, as well as furniture and furnishings.

Challenge

In the recent era of global competition, SAFE has once again looked into Information Technology to sustain it competitive advantage over its competitors. Period for a full scale e-commerce web site, SAFE had implemented a simple e-commerce web site for both pilot run to test the market reaction as well as to rival its competitors. The pilot web site has received better than expected result from the market.

The pilot e-commerce system is a stand-alone system that runs isolate from the core retail system. Being in the fast moving electronic retail industry where price change frequent, old model goes absolute in months, new model come in shop weekly, and endless special offer for certain group of products. SAFE has stretched it staff for maintaining two systems with the result in the e-commerce system being not up-to-date. Most of the time, this translated into an unhappy customer. Hence, lost of sales opportunity.

Seeing the urgent need to provide a better user experience on the already successful e-commerce initiate, Alfacom has been called upon to provide it experience in e-commerce system and know-how for project delivery.

Solution

Alfacom sees there are three key areas need to be improved on the pilot e-commerce system. User must be able to access the latest information, from the latest model to the latest offer to the status of the order, anytime with high accurately. Information must be presented in a user friendly way. Last but not least, the e-commerce system must be ease to maintain and economically sound to run.

For user to access information in real-time and high accuracy, the e-commerce system must be tightly integrated with the core retail system, which is a client/server application with Unix backend. Microsoft e-commerce solution is chosen for the task for it integratebility, interoperability, and high expandability. The new e-commerce system is tightly integrated with core retail system that any latest information available in the shop would be available in the web at the same time if not early.

Too much information is not better than lack of information. The avoid information overflow on the users, the user interface has been specially designed to provide just enough information to give the user a whole new e-commerce experience. This is archived by well-experienced SAFE customer service representative working closely with Alfacom using state-of-the-art e-Commerce User Interface Design Methodology.

To minimize the effort to operate the e-commerce system, it has been closely integrated with the core retail system. From the buyer system, pricing system, point-of-sale system, home delivery system, membership/bonus point system/warranty service system to the e-commerce system, all are so closely integrated that all system management and maintenance is done on the already existed and well tested core retail system.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

SAFE evaluated a number of e-commerce solutions before approaching Alfacom Solutions. The decision to employ Alfacom Solutions was based on our understanding of e-commerce system as well as our ability to share SAFE vision on competitive advantage. Furthermore, with year of project delivering experience under it belt, Alfacom Solutions means to deliver project successfully on time and on budget.

Business Benefits

After the system implementation, both the overall sales performance and customer satisfaction are dramatically improved. The SAFE management is satisfy with the additional revenue bring in from the system. In additional, the management is especially happy with the increase of return customer.

Key Components

> Software component

* Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

* Redhat Linux

* Oracle 8i Database

* Microsoft VisualDev

> Hardware component

* PC Server

Service element

* ASP and Visual Basic application development

* Web Design

* Electronic Payment Integration

St Joseph's College Network Project

Being an elite "band one" school in Hong Kong, St. Joseph's College is the brewing ground for tomorrow leaders of Hong Kong. Education is the fundamental of the faith of the state and it people. To provide the best of the best to educate the Hong Kong next generation, St Joseph is constantly enhancing the capability of its teaching and supporting staffs and as well as the delivering facilities.

Background

St. Joseph's College has a history of over 140 years. The college was formerly known as St. Saviour's College, founded in 1860. In 1875, six La Salle Brothers took over the school and renamed it as St. Joseph's College, and is the first Catholic Boys' school in Hong Kong. St. Joseph's College grew from an institution consisting of 75 students at the beginning to the institution today, providing education to over 4,200 kindergarten, primary and secondary students.

Challenge

In the recent advancement of Information Technology, the Government of Hong Kong has set up the Quality Education Fund to enhance the Information Technology facility at school. St Joseph being the leading school in Hong Kong is among the first to implement a full scale Information Technology infrastructure.

After equipped the entire school with sophisticated IT infrastructure, St. Joseph suddenly realize that it would require additional resources to support the IT infrastructure. Furthermore, St Joseph would needed professional advice to get the most out of the investment.

Solution

St Joseph has seek professional advice from Alfacom Solutions to lessen the burden on maintaining the IT infrastructure. Together with St Joseph, we have determined that St Joseph would need to streamline it user management since students come and go every year. In addition, the IT infrastructure need to protected from the unwanted attention from the Internet. Last but not least, with thousand of users, the network usage must be optimized to accompany the huge volume of traffic.

The opensource Linux Redhat platform is chosen to be the base of the solution for it robustness and flexibility. To manage the users, both on Windows and Redhat, with ease, a cauterized user management interface has been created. To prevent the system from unauthorized access from the Internet, a three-zones firewall has been in place between the Internet and Intranet. To have the infrastructure serves it users better, two proxy servers have be installed for faster and smoother Internet access. In addition, two email servers, one for staffs and one for students, have been installed.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

With the know-how in the Information Technology and long reputation on successful project delivery, St Joseph has chosen Alfacom Solutions as a partner among other vendors.

System Benefits

After the system been implemented, St Joseph has reduced the redundancy work on management user on difference system. In additional, it saved cost to host it own DNS server. The staffs and students are especially pleased with the web-based email servers that enable communication between them. The Internet access response time is also dramatically reduced since the system been put in place.

Key Components

Service element

* Firewall

* Proxy

* Email Server

* DNS

Process Control System (Application Development) for Transport Department

The purpose of building the system (PCS) for Transport Department - Driving Test Division, is to automate and computerize the driving test registration, allocation and result distribution process as well as to enable the candidate to be selected by the Examiner for testing under a strict randomly process.

Background

Transport Department - Driving Test Division, currently operate 16 Driving Test Center at various location within HK, providing administrative and registration services to the public who are going to take the driving test. Each center will normally handle around 60 - 100 candidates per day, consist of 5-8 Driving Examiners (DE) and manned by a Driving Test Center Supervisor (DTCS), he who will handle work such as candidate registration, DE allocation, result verification and distribution manually.

The system was developed to computerize the whole process, in addition, to keep track all the information and data enter by the DTCS, history and record keeping for candidate, management report generation as well as to make sure the DE allocate to the candidate in a strictly random process. Moreover, PCS also requires to integrate with the existing system to some extend.

Challenge

Alfacom Solutions was brought in to identify and solve the complicated operation issue.

A number of issues must be well addressed before lunching the system, such as, most users are not familiar with computer operation, and operation time is critical and limited. Secondly, a "Fairness" element must be applied to candidate registration and DE allocation process. Third, system security, record history and audit trial are among the major concerns. Last but not least, a simple yet reliable result input and verification process has to be in placed.

Solution

A client server system, including two PC servers, smart card readers, network printer and scanner, has been installed at each center.

In order to grasp with the operation procedure, site visit and detailed interview sessions have been conducted. To cater for a broad spectrum of user group, a very user friendly and well-navigated system has been designed. Next, to achieve the "fairness" element, an automatic rule base selection mechanism, which governed by various parameters, running continuously at the back of the application. To overcome the security issue, User ID, User privilege, password and smart card has been adopted, as well as the audit log and audit file will be kept for inspection. As for the automatic result verification, a fast speed scanner together with a set of matching rules have been integrated into the system. In addition, since all information kept in the centralized database, various management and statistical reports can be generated for review.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Technical staff of Alfacom Solutions possesses diversified skills that are mandatory in designing the PCS system. Our team is very knowledgeable on client server application development, expertise on designing user interface together with the ability to understand and translate user requirement into a system that fit well to user's daily operation.

Project has been successfully delivered in time and within budget. Functions and features well exceeded the expectation of the Division. The system has been installed and operating at 16 Testing Centers, involving users more than 100 and handling records well over 1000 per day.

Business Benefits

By implementing the system, not only will increase the efficiency and enhance the overall imagine of the division to the general public, it will also give a better control to the management committee. Moreover, the originally design of the application already leave room for further enhancement, such as a 'completed' networked solution and centralized database at the Division's headquarter, thus, further integration with division's existing and legacy system can be achieved.

Key Components

Software component

* PCS system

* Microsoft Window 2000 Server

* Microsoft SQL Server 2000

* Remark Office OMR 5.0

* Smart Card Driver

Hardware component

* IBM NetVista

* HP Laser Jet Printer

* Avision Flatbed Scanner

* Smart Card Reader

Service element

* Application development and consultation

* System Implementation and maintenance

TAP official Website 2002

To enhancing the corporate identity, TAP Group have the mission to revamp the official website www.tapgroup.com in 2002. In the new layout, new element such as "High-tech" and "Active" will be added and the concept "Professional" will strengthen. Alfacom Solutions is brought in to this revamp project. Alfacom is also the TAP's website developer in 2001.

Background

Since 1947, the Hong Kong based TAP Group has been dedicated solely to garment manufacturing. Today, TAP Group is already the well-known garment manufacturer in the world with the strongest client base include Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Dockers, Stafford, Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, Nautica, Ashworth, Levis, Paul Stuart,Calvin Klein, Giordano, Goldlion, Crocodile, etc. TAP Group builds its manufacturing teams in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Mainland China as well as Mexico.

Challenge

Alfacom have to provide the best design to integrate the ideas of "Professional", "High-tech" and "Active", and the powerful technique to support the website which will be explored by over thousand of users every week.

Solution

Our professional design team have designed 4 templates for the website. With considering to the innovatory of design, the user-friendly navigation and the uniqueness of outlook, as well as merging the ideas of "Professional", "High-tech" and "Active", the design remains TAP's enterprise culture and, in a meanwhile, enhance TAP's corporate image. We also development different new function, which heighten the website's practicability.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

TAP has developed the business relationship with Alfacom since 2001. TAP is satisfy with Alfacom's working performance on website design, maintenance and technical support and assigned the revamp project to Alfacom.

Business Benefits

Since www.tapgroup.com launched at July 2002, TAP receives positive feedback from the customers and business partners. The new elements in the web site leads a enhance TAP's Corporate identity.

Key Component

Service element

Website revamp, development and hosting

360-degree flash animation

Leveraging Ticketing services to promote Arts Development

in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) has the mission to developing social functions of the arts; expanding the market for the arts and building audience participation; promoting life arts education for all; enhancing the artistic level and social status of artists.

Leveraging e-business technologies and solutions to achieve these missions is the key objective of ADC. ADC thus commissioned Alfacom Solutions Limited (Alfacom) to conduct a study on its feasibility to leverage IT solutions and ticketing services to develop social functions of arts promote arts, and increase audience participation.

Background

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) was established by the Government in June 1995 to plan, promote and support the broad development of the arts (including the literary, performing, visual and film arts) and arts education. The ADC is dedicated to induce artistic creativity to offer a more enriching life, enhance the quality of living and artistic appreciation of the general public.

At present, ADC sells all the event tickets through URBTIX. With the vision to promote art in the Delta region, ADC contracted Alfacom Solutions to conduct a study to analyze the feasibility to leverage the ticketing system and promote arts in the Region.

Challenge

Aging system restricted the use of newer sales and marketing channel

Effectiveness of arts promotion campaign

Solution

A consulting study was conducted. Alfacom Consulting team worked with ADC key members to formulate the viable business models in adopting e-business elements

The study was carried out using the proven methodology. An extensive research on HK Ticketing market was conducted. A list of e-business initiatives that will directly impacted the expansion of audience anticipation and arts awareness were suggested. Finally, we formulated three viable business models

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions

Consulting experience and methodology

Extensive knowledge in e-business applications for the ticketing industry

Business Benefits

Through the study, a complete picture of the HK ticketing market is identified. It helps ADC to identify the key players in the market and how to partner with them.

The study forms the blueprint of ADC ticketing strategy upon which ADC can deploy the appropriate e-business solutions to expand the arts market and raise the arts awareness of the general public.

Key Component

> Service element

> Consultation service

Approach & Tactics