When Employers Direct implemented a Java-based insurance application in 2005, the company knew it needed to put in place the development tools and processes to manage code, track defects and more. At the time, the company didn't have anything in place, and with a development team spread across the globe, finding a solution that addressed their needs for functionality, flexibility, 24/7 access and responsive customer support was critical.

Initially Employers Direct analyzed whether it should build its own application. However, the company determined it made more sense to focus internal resources on product development, since that is core to its business strategy, and opted to find an ASP it could use. Employers Direct searched the Internet to uncover options and then reviewed five companies whose products ranged from low-end applications to high-end, enterprise wide solutions.

After evaluating the options, Employers Direct selected ProjectLocker in December 2005. Notes CIO Greg Schueman, "Several of the companies we looked at had products that were significantly more expensive than ProjectLocker, yet the functionality was similar. In other companies the product may have cost less, but the functionality was limited or the company only offered email support. We needed a reliable partner and we needed to do it in a way that was cost effective for us. ProjectLocker was all those things and they offered training, which was a bonus."

Today ProjectLocker is used worldwide by developers in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and in multiple locations in India. The application plays a fundamental role in enabling the company's software development organization to develop and manage projects with ease.

"ProjectLocker gives us transparency into our processes which were previously in excel or on individual computers. At that time, not everyone could see the current state of the project and version control was a big challenge. ProjectLocker streamlined development because all information resides in it and is accessible 24/7. Now everyone knows exactly where the product is in the development lifecycle," says Schueman.

Another benefit is ProjectLocker was easily branded with the logo and colors of Employers Direct. Notes Schueman, "It is our goal to make the user experience as transparent as possible, and part of that involves branding all systems as Employers Direct. Since we use several ASPs in different areas, it is important that our team knows they are using tools provided by our company and this supports that need."

For Employers Direct, the results were impressive. Implementing ProjectLocker enabled the company to dramatically increase efficiency, automate processes, streamline development across disparate locations and pass external audits. Using the wikis and document management tools also improved communication. Now the company can quickly disseminate information across the organization by sending a link to documents versus having to email large files back and forth.

"We were a value conscious buyer that needed enterprise level capabilities and ProjectLocker delivered that", says Schueman, "We've gained a tremendous amount of efficiencies and automation in using the application. In addition, ProjectLocker is doing a good job of providing a high level of service to mid-sized companies that can't make the investment required of a big company to have a solution like this."