Apple Healthcare run a 17-strong chain of Pharmacy's throughout Central Scotland, including branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Dundee. One of the big challenges they faced was to manage the communications data between all the sites and the head office. This included financial reporting as well as forms and documents.

Before Axial IT’s solution was deployed, information was passed between the branches and head office by email and fax. This led to issues with document version control. Out-of-date copies of documents could exist on various computers throughout the group. Incomplete information would be sent to head office, resulting in the office staff having to revert to email communication for further clarifications re-enter data as needed.

A centralised system was developed based on an intranet site with the following features
(1) password controlled user access
(2) customised forms for entry of financial data
(3) portal for access to download latest versions ofdocuments

The benefits of this system were clearly seen by the Head Office. They could access the financial data directly from the portal without having to wait for emails or even faxes in some cases. The data was available in a format suitable for head office use, including a display of weekly and monthly sales, various outgoings and incomings on a daily basis, and the banked amounts on the respective dates.

Data Security and confidentiality is also of paramount importance. The system makes use of SSL layer encryption and a fully configurable user-based password-controlled access so that the individual sites and users can only access or change their data.

Since the system has been in use, there has been a clear improvement in the information flow. Harminder Shergill, a Managing Partner of Apple Healthcare commented

"The financial reporting system developed by Axial was exactly what we were waiting for. They understood our requirements and then transformed those to a tool that our pharmacies are now using on a daily basis. Our head office staff now has all the data in front of them, promptly and presented exactly like they need."