Magazine Article | March 1, 1998

Xerox Using Retriever System From Image System Integrators To Store Host-Produced Manufacturing Reports & Invoices

For many of Dade Behring's customers, next-day delivery is not good enough. The $1.3 billion laboratory instrument manufacturer often has to ensure same-day delivery. Integrating technologies with its new SAP system helps Dade Behring deliver the goods on time.

Business Solutions, March 1998
Written by: Nancy Senger
Xerox is currently using Retriever to store large volumes of host-produced reports and invoices from its logistics and manufacturing operations in England. The system was supplied by Image System Integrators (ISI) Ltd., based in Warwickshire, UK.

Looking To Replace Microfiche And Printed Copies
Xerox had been looking for a more efficient solution than its traditional methods of archiving - microfiche and printed copies. The new system would have to meet certain criteria. It had to offer financial savings and the central archiving system had to offer multi-user access. Additionally, a print-on-demand option was important, as were extensive search facilities.

The solution from ISI has provided significant business benefits. Xerox achieved a fast payback of less than eight months from its initial investment in Retriever. The previous use of microfiche and printed copies involved significant delays - information was now available immediately. The company used to spend over $50,000 annually on microfiche creation; this is now unnecessary. An added benefit to Xerox is the savings made on physical storage space within the company. Additional savings will accrue by eliminating manual tasks in the invoice-filing process.

How The System Works
The system works like this. Files are downloaded from Xerox's VAX, SUN and IBM platforms onto the Retriever server running NT. The client PCs are running Windows 3.11 with office-wide, online, concurrent access. Marcel Frielinck, manager of accounting and systems, adds, "The system is used to store some 360,000 outgoing invoices a year." A further 13 monthly reports, containing a total of 5.5 million print lines each month are also stored using Retriever. The benefits of Retriever are being recognized in many other divisions of Xerox, with the potential of future access across Europe.