Columbus Worthington Air

Columbus Worthington Air's controller likes working with PCS because the company can take care of all the cmpany's data processing needs. "I do like that it's one-stop shopping for the software and the hardware. I can call one person if I need to buy a new PC and want it to connect to the accounting system. I like the flexibility that we can have both dumb terminals and PCs hooked up to the Unix system. And I like the fact that we have set up the system so that files on my PC can be backed up easily to the Unix box. That makes backup very slick and easy."

	"Our relationship with PCS started 20-some years ago."
	Columbus Worthington Air's spacious headquarters

"Our relationship with PCS started when I was very young - 20-some years ago - when Kevin Distelhorst came from PCS to be the controller at Columbus Worthington Air for about 9 months. He learned everything about how my dad thinks and operates and does accounting. Then he went back to PCS and helped to develop the first prototype for your DEC RSTS-based system for the service industry.

PCS fits the software to its clients

"I like the fact that I'm able to make suggestions to PCS on design enhancements," says the controller, "and that they get incorporated and built into the system."

PCS included in the general ledger system the ability for Columbus Worthington Air to custom design the columns of reports. "In most systems, you can only design the rows, so that's a very nice feature."

Columbus Worthington Air is a service business with a reputation for providing its clients with excellent service. Problems with the accounting and management systems must be resolved quickly. "When we have a problem, response time is excellent. Usually things are fixed within the same day. I've never had a vendor that - when things get monkeyed up - responds and gets the problem solved as quickly as PCS does."

	"We page technicians from the computer. The system sends the message to alphanumeric pagers the technicians carry"

Keeping in touch with the technicians

"We're using the process that allows us to page technicians from the computer," says the controller. "We key the information in - what the service call is about and push a button. The system sends the message to alphanumeric pagers the technicians carry. We usually send the homeowner's name and address, along with instructions on what needs to be done. It saves time for everybody. The dispatcher doesn't have to read the information over the phone and the technicians don't have to stop and copy it down longhand. If you talk to them, you'll find that they really like that function."

The PCS relationship with Columbus Worthington Air has been a long-term commitment. "I've been working with PCS since 1994 when I worked at Buckeye Heating, where PCS was in the process of installing the new Unix system in place of the RSTS system. I worked very closely with Cindy to suggestions and enhancements. In 1996, when I moved over here, we were going through the same process - getting off the RSTS system and installing the Unix system. Throughout the period, I e-mailed and faxed suggestions to PCS and about 90 to 95 percent of those recommendations were incorporated into the base module."