Alibris uses a host system running Windows over an Ethernet network to manage the order fulfillment process. They wanted to quickly transfer data from six shipping workstations to a Great Plains (accounting software) database on two host computers using a SQL Server driver while processing thousands of orders a day.

Harvey Software determined ODBC was the fastest method of transferring data between the Windows-based shipping PCs and the host computers. The company took advantage of Harvey Software's on-site computer set up and training service.  Alibris also had special programming so that their importing and exporting of data specifications matched their current needs, including a date and time stamp for auditing purposes.  A customized message of "Order Not Found" was also added to be displayed when an entry could not be found on the external lookup table to make seamless link with their ERP system.

Just three weeks after deploying their CPS system, Alibris was named by US News as one of the best shopping sites on the internet!  Even though we know this was due to the outstanding work by the people at Alibris, we like to think that we helped.