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Cage Business Systems

ABOUT US:

  1. Installed the first micro-computer business system programmed in Jamaica - 1984
  2. When the first micro computers became available, the two portable success stories, the Osborne and Kaypro were widely available. Our company became the dealer for the Kaypro line, and using Dbase and Dbase II we created many solutions for clients in the accounting and manufacturing markets. At one stage Kaypro had 2% of the US market.
  3. Created the Jamaica Library Service Software solution - 1986 and installed the first network in Jamaica - ULCNET.
  4. As the Jamaica Library Service was unable to afford an international solution, and we had recently become the dealer for a very advanced database system, (called the Pick system), we were able to create a solution that ran the Library for over ten years. The network mentioned above was installed at Appliance Traders, but its speed at the time coupled with the slow speed of the processors used, made it unsuitable for even moderate data transfer levels. Networks were to become commonplace ten years after.
  5. Created the ECR Flex Accountings systems - GL,AR,AP,PR,IN,BI written in Dbase II, III+,FOXBASE Language 1983-6.
  6. These complete but stand-alone systems were installed at over fifteen sites in Jamaica. In fact just three years ago the final Dbase III Payroll system was decommissioned. We made a decision to move all solutions from their original database (Dbase) language to the (Pick)D3 multi-value environment. This decision has proven to be correct since Pick is no longer a proprietary environment and is now fully Open Data base development environment, being available on all Novell, Unix and Windows platforms. And the code written then still functions on the latest releases of the original product now called D3.
  7. Became first dealer in post relational database systems - 1986
  8. PICK Open Database environment (Universe, Unidata, Revelation,D3). The Pick system was originally created by TRW in the U.S. to solve the Cheyenne Helicopter inventory management project for the US Armed Services. Its design objectives were to be :
    • Easily portable to any new hardware environment, at the time only three mainframes were in use (IBM, UNIVAC, HONEYWELL).
    • Easy to use with no need for end user system administrators or system programmers.
    • Virtual memory to allow unlimited workspace as needed.
    • Multi-user and multi-tasking.
    • English like report generator for easy ad hoc data listings.
    • Multi-dimensional to allow for real world modeling.
    • 14 digit accuracy.
    • Highly secure, complying with military standards.
    • Dictionary driven database system which could be programmed.
    • Fastest (optimized) reading and writing methods.
    • These goals were all met and delivered on 31 December 1967. Since then there have been over thirty copies (all under different names) of the architecture of the Pick system, testifying to the value of the product. And recently a Rocket Software purchased D3, and married it to a rapid application development tool.
  9. Became first dealer in post relational database systems - 1986.
  10. Installed the first RISC system in Jamaica - H.D. Hopwood 1988 originally on a mini computer and then on IBM's RT 6150 22 users on AIX. Using Pick on AIX, we moved Hopwood from the PICK proprietary environment (on a Pertec system we installed in 1987) to Pick on UNIX (IBM called it AIX). The advent of IBM technology using reduced instruction set commands allowed much faster calculations to be performed. IBM itself became the dealer D3 in Australia, and had great success in installing these systems. We also donated a RISC IBM system to the PSOJ. With these machines over 1000 users could be working on a Pick database simultaneously without observable degradation in response!

  11. Dealership of CONTROLLER suite of main frame capable software acquired.

    Enhanced and installed at fifteen sites in Jamaica and Miami. Bibliography Package created for the UWI, Marine Science Department.

    Garment Manufacturing System (807) created - 1989.

    A full suite of Distribution packages were offered to Jamaica, and two sites in Miami. All ran on Pick and we created a local Payroll, 807 Garment, Car Dealer, Bibliography, and many other solutions. For example Stewarts Auto Sales uses our tailored system for their Suzuki dealership.

  12. Created the Job Monitoring System for Phoenix Printery and with Steven Conway, the Retail Point of Sale Package - 1990

    The need for efficient delivery and job tracking through the manufacturing process was met by our Job system solution. This system is still in use today.

    We also created a POS system, which is used by many companies in Jamaica such as Ammars, Fabrics de Younis, UWI Bookshop and many more. These systems are fully functional and have been integrated into the financial and accounting systems of these companies.

  13. In concert with Hitek Software Engineers, took client base to 40 customers up to July 1993. When the Life of Jamaica group's owners created Hitek Software Engineers, we were asked to jointly market our RISC and Pick (D3) solutions using our Controller suite of software. We also created a Property Management system which was linked to their IBM mainframe for daily updates. Hitek is no longer in business, but the companies we sold to are still supported by our resources.Today over fifty companies use the PICK (D3) database solutions in Jamaica.

  14. Created the new Compex Rent-A-Car Package, and the Requirements Planning and unlimited level Bill of Materials system - H.D. Hopwood - 1993-1994. The rent a car package, tailored to high security and insurance company concerns, was developed in a very short time frame (six months) without using a RAD system. It is not in use today however.

    The BOM and Requirements Planning system was used by H.D. Hopwood until recently purchased by Neal & Massey of Trinidad. This company used one of the the largest D3 systems in Jamaica, and had spent less money on IT than any comparable company over that time period.

  15. Developed a TV Station system and a Bad Cheque Management System. We were asked by CVM TV to quote on their needs for accounting and production planning. We are extremely proud that we delivered a system within one year that cost CVM less than 15% of the next highest quotation.
  16. The Bad Cheque Management system was our first Windows client driven solution and was installed at a very large Supermarket chain in Kingston.
  17. Became the distributor for the Infolab Enterprise Server range of products. This system rivals Oracle and SAP solutions at the highest capability level of software (Tier One) sold in the world, but with costs in the mid-range. These systems will be installed throughout the Caribbean and North America within a few years. It is truly cutting edge as it is capable of being ported to many operating system environments (though Windows server is the preferred O/S), and even Mac OSs' and has a cloud interfacel! Amazingly enough the same programming code can be applied to all these environments. A new version of PICK (D3) created in the UK has once again reduced the acquisition cost of the database engine to less than 10% of what it was!

  18. Training Courses held every year at various venues.

    We provide overseas and local instructors for clients, programmers, and operators for our advanced database operational systems. Courses such as D3 fundamentals, Infolab Business Objects, Installation training and many others are being offered on an interactive basis with full diploma certification.