Background
There are a lot of Project Management Tracking Applications in the market, most notably
Microsoft's, but most require significant training up front and don't report on all
projects across the business. Project management queries become the preserve of those
trained to use them, and who have access, not necessarily those who most need the
information.
Nick Wilson, CEO of programmexpress saw an opportunity to develop a
different type of Programme Management Tracking Application; a web based browser, which
would appeal to senior managers because of its ease of use and company-wide reporting
capability.

(Project Details screen)
The Challenge
Nick had a vision of what was required through 10 years of Programme Management experience
without the right tools for major retailers.
Nick asked Jemmac to turn his vision into
reality, because he knew they deliver complex bespoke software engineered for the business
benefit of their clients.
Jemmac Solution
Jemmac designed and wrote this software using their technical skills, combined with in-
depth business understanding and attention to detail.
The application was been written in HTML, Javascript and PHP, using a MySQL database, although it
can be ported to run on other databases such as Oracle or SQLServer.
Nick Wilson, CEO of programmexpress said:
"Jemmac frequently challenged my ideas, which helped to deliver a final product of far
higher quality and which exceeded my expectations".
"Jemmac were very good at getting back to me with time-recording. They understood my idea
in detail and delivered on time and to budget".
The Laurel Pub Company, one of the premier pub operators in the country were an early adopter of
programmexpress.
David Broom, IT Director of Laurel Pubs, said:
"With over £30m investment in Strategic Projects, and a massive impact on all our business
areas, it is imperative to understand the latest status of all the activity and the
effect it is having on both our business performance and resource."
"programmexpress meets
all of these requirements in terms of communication, reporting and consistency of
Project approach, has been implemented speedily without over burdening the business with
Project process, and allows us to concentrate on what we're really here to do, improve the
guest experience within our Pub estate".
Benefits
programme
xpress enables companies running large Business Change Projects to track the
latest status of activity and the 'Big Picture' impact on their business. In one month, a
company can have total control over their projects. It overcomes the one big issue for
such companies - namely communication - as it is a web enabled, intuitive tool that can be accessed
via the Intranet, and viewed through html style screens, or used to run executive level
reports.
It also provides a toolkit for Project Managers, in the form of document
templates and Gantt Chart reporting.
programmexpress gives the following benefits:
- intuitive tool which requires insignificant training expense / time up front
- access by web-based browser
- fast track way to get good project control into place
- no expensive business process re-engineering or management consultancy
- scalable as large as the organisation requires
- business change control at an affordable price
Jemmac used established methodologies combined with in-depth programming expertise to
ensure that programme
xpress was engineered for the business benefit of their direct
client and ultimate end-users.
Long term Partnership
The initial system was developed by Jemmac for Changing Systems in spring 2002, since when it has attracted an extensive portfolio of high profile customers:

(Reporting screen)
- B&Q
- Border Group
- Daimler Chrysler
- EON
- Imperial Tobacco
- Laurel Pub Company
- Little Chef
- Morley Fund Management
- NCP
- Thistle Hotels
- The Thresher Group
- Travelodge
- Volkswagen Group (UK) Limited
- Whitbread
- Woolworths
In January 2008 Jemmac announced the extension of their exclusive partnership for programme
xpress with parent company Changing Systems for a further three years.
The arrangement covers a range of services including Consultancy, Technical Design, Technical Development, Testing ,
Support and Systems Management.
Nick Wilson, CEO of programmexpress said:
"I am delighted to be continuing our great partnership with Jemmac. They continue to provide a significant input into the way Programme Express is evolving and improving. In addition, the professional way they handle support queries through the helpdesk ensures consistently high quality customer service".
James Weedon, Director of Jemmac Software said:
"We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Changing Systems. programmexpress has advanced considerably since it's inception, and that development looks set to continue with Jemmac playing a leading role in ensuring it continues to stay ahead of the competition."
For more information contact:
Alistair Henderson, Jemmac Software Limited.
Tel : 01234 757257
Email : alistair.henderson@jemmac.com
Nick Wilson, Changing Systems Limited.
Email : nick.wilson@programmexpress.co.uk