Situation
GameWear’s famous bracelets, necklaces, key chains, MP3 player cases, and cell phone cases feature every major league team. This comprises over 80 collegiate teams and an extensive cache of players. Each item is made from the same genuine leather as the ball in play, letting fans wear a piece of the game on or off the field. GameWear’s unique products are extremely popular with fans nationwide.
After experiencing triple-digit growth, GameWear continues to press its momentum by looking for ways to be more productive in the areas of better customer service and lower operating costs.
For example, associated with each of GameWear’s more than 4,000 items are at least four product images, each with a different purpose—over 50,000 file variations. “We have ten different varieties of bracelets for the Phillies. When a customer (retail store) calls to put a bracelet in their catalog, we have to quickly find the right photo and graphics and rush it over,” said Frank Cerullo, GameWear’s Chief Executive Officer. Another challenge for GameWear is finding ways to lower costs by being more efficient and extending the life of its equipment.
Solution
GameWear is discovering features in Windows 7 that may warrant MVP status. For example, Aero Interface and Taskbar features are speeding up document navigation while Federated Search is sifting through thousands of files faster for improved customer service. Additionally, ReadyBoost is extending the life of old computers, and Problem Steps Recorder is lowering IT costs through faster fixes.
Trigger Start Services
The Trigger Start Services feature allows GameWear’s computers to Boot up and Resume much faster by making more efficient use of the computer’s resources.
Aero Interface
The Windows 7 Aero® Snap feature allows GameWear user’s side-by-side window viewing by dragging windows to borders, left and right. Grab and shake the foremost screen to make all other screens disappear. The Peek feature is invoked by clicking the lower right hand Show Desktop rectangle. A GameWear desktop is immediately visible to view gadgets and other desktop icons.
Taskbar
Features like Pinning and Jump Lists, accessed conveniently from the taskbar, are streamlining document navigation. GameWear users have their files move readily available.
XP Mode
The XP Mode capability allows many legacy applications to run virtually under Windows 7.
Power Management
Laptop batteries last longer with power-saving features like Battery Power Management.
Federated Search
Federated Search enables the GameWear team to find virtually any type of file whether located on local drives, network or the Internet. Searches are deeper and more comprehensive.
Problem Steps Recorder
Problem Steps Recorder allows GameWear staff to precisely capture and communicate a computer problem. It also enables staff to document fixes, create tutorials or knowledge-based reference materials for customers.
Windows Touch
Windows 7 supports touch screen monitor drivers. One of GameWear’s future uses for Windows Touch is in its conference room for new client presentations.
Benefits
Enhanced Data Scouting
Federated Search is a great example of the enhanced search capabilities GameWear needed for the more than 50,000 file assets that it must organize, track and retrieve. Cerullo commented, “It’s easy to misplace a PDF, word or email. With the new search feature it doesn’t much matter where the information asset is, we can usually find it.” “Quickly finding documents literally translates into better service. Federated Search is like having a virtual customer service rep dedicated to each client.” “The old way of searching emails costs us hours of time. A three-year old accounts receivable email proved a returning client still owed money. We could have cut that search to minutes instead of hours with Federated Search.”
Speed Most Important Attribute
“The number one biggest attribute of Windows 7 is increased speed; I’d estimate it is up to 30 percent faster. We upgraded to 64-bit to take advantage of the additional power.”
Older Computers Come Off the Bench
“GameWear has a mix of older and newer machines running Windows XP® and Windows Vista®. Because Windows 7 is so lean and features link ReadyBoost can instantly add cheap RAM, we’ll be able to extend the life of some of the computers. This alone saves enough to justify the machine operating system refreshes,” said Carl Mazzanti, CEO, eMazzanti Technologies.
More Productivity Yardage
“The Battery Power Management feature in Windows 7 extends laptop productivity by as much as 30 percent for us. For our sales people, who are on the road sixty percent of the time, it translates into more sales time and more revenue.”
Fast break with Boot, Resume Features
“Trigger Start Services is the under-the-hood Windows 7 capability that shortens boot and resume times,” said Mazzanti. “GameWear is seeing up to a 50 percent faster start-up.”
Better Navigation Supports Triple Digit Scoring
“Aero Interface and Taskbar features like Snap, Peek, Jump Lists and Pinning are a huge improvement in file navigation. It’s the kind of productivity tools we need to support our triple digit growth curve.”
XP Mode Hits Backup
“XP Mode is my legacy software back-up hitter. There are a few custom applications that now run under Windows XP that we may want to run under Windows 7. Just to know I’ve got options in terms of what OS I choose to run under gives me confidence to move ahead with a timed Windows 7 migration.”
Problem Steps Recorder’s Three Bagger
“GameWear can benefit in three ways with Problem Steps Recorder. First, it can capture IT problems accurately which helps eMazzanti solve the issue faster. Second, it’s a great tutorial tool. We can quickly create training documents around new features. Third, it’s an effective work monitor for new employee performance feedback, similar to a call center monitoring calls for quality assurance.”
Cut and Run Product Development
“We are constantly creating new products. The inspiration can come from anywhere, but often it’s something we see on the Internet. The Snipping Tool makes is super easy to grab, save and share the idea. What a great feature!”
Windows 7 Has the Touch
“Downstream we’d like to use the Windows 7 touch screen capability in our conference room. We love to show off the latest technology to our clients. It shows we’re technology savvy and can bring this kind of business acumen to their projects.”
Windows 7
Faster and more reliable: Windows 7 will help your organization use information technology to gain a competitive advantage in today’s new world of work. Your people will be able to be more productive. You will be able to support your mobile work force with better access to shared data and collaboration tools. And your IT staff will have better tools and technologies to enhance corporate IT security, data protection, and more efficient deployment and management.
Carl Mazzanti is Co-Founder and President of eMazzanti Technologies, Microsoft’s four time Partner of the Year and one of the premier IT consulting services for businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area and internationally. Carl and his company manage over 400 active accounts ranging from professional services firms to high-end global retailers.
eMazzanti is all about delivering powerful, efficient outsourced IT services, such as computer network management and troubleshooting, managed print, PCI DSS compliance, green computing, mobile workforce technology, information security, cloud computing, and business continuity and disaster recovery.
Carl Mazzanti is also a frequent business conference speaker and technology talk show guest and contributor at Microsoft-focused events, including frequent prominent roles at the Microsoft Inspire (Worldwide Partner Conference / WPC).
Carl, a serial Entrepreneur, gives back to the community through Entrepreneur teaching engagements at Georgetown University, the company’s ocean wildlife conservation effort, the Blue Project, and Tree Mazzanti.
