Trusted Home Cleaning

Challenge

Brothers and business partners Geoff and Roger Hamlet approached Cognique for help with creating a new nationwide cleaning franchise based on the systems they had already established with their own successful domestic cleaning business already operating in Somerset and Devon. With plans to expand nationally their Microsoft Access cleaning management database system would not scale or provide the functionality required to manage franchised branches. In addition they only had a few short months to find a solution or risk postponing their franchise launch plans.

Solution

Cognique worked with the brothers and their existing database developer to understand and document all the current functionality plus the additional requirements before proposing a web based custom developed solution, to be called Cleanbase, which would also be integrated with a new website. Work began on a series of wireframe diagrams that, while closely resembling the original layout of the Access system, included the extra functions too. Once wireframes of all the major screens were approved a number of Photoshop mockups of the final user interface were produced prior to development. A test server environment enabled the brothers to evaluate and approve the new system as development neared completion, leading to further improvements. The integrated website was then created which enabled visitors to search for local franchises using the data from Cleanbase. Finally Cognique trained the franchisors on the use of the system and provided both operations manuals for them and their franchisees.

Outcome

“Our business required that our systems needed computerisation so as to allow us to drive the business in a turn-key operation format that would facilitate the franchising in cellular form on a nationwide basis. This needed to be easy to use, time efficient for us and user friendly for any Franchisee, automated in a form that would require the minimum amount of input from us. The end results exceeded our expectations and consequently we are absolutely delighted with the finished product”.

Geoff and Roger Hamlet, Founders, Trusted Home Cleaning
www.trustedhomecleaning.co.uk