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Case Studies

Explore how we’ve transformed data into actionable insights to drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence for our clients.

From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: How an Environmental Services Department Transformed Permit Processing with Visual Data Group

Overview:

A regional Environmental Services department partnered with Visual Data Group to transform their permitting process and improve operational efficiency. By implementing tailored QlikView® dashboards and advanced data analysis tools, the department achieved faster permit processing, enhanced decision-making, and improved community service delivery.

Problem:

The operations analysis team within the Environmental Services department, a unit focused on ensuring efficient processes for managing environmental compliance, permitting, and public services in one of the fastest-growing regions, was tasked with addressing the needs of a rapidly expanding population. With increased demand for permits due to housing development, the team faced pressure to deliver faster and more efficient services.

At the time, the permitting process was plagued by significant delays, with turnaround times averaging 60 to 90 days. This created frustration for builders, who experienced costly project delays and incurred substantial financial burdens from prolonged interest on construction loans. These delays also impacted the community, as new housing developments struggled to keep pace with population growth.

Additionally, the department relied heavily on manual data analysis performed using Microsoft Access and Excel. This process consumed 50–75% of staff time weekly, limiting their ability to monitor process performance, identify bottlenecks, and adapt to new challenges. Without automation, the team struggled to calculate optimal staffing levels or respond quickly to unforeseen data requests, further compounding the inefficiencies.

Solution:

Visual Data Group partnered with the Environmental Services department to design and implement a series of highly tailored QlikView® dashboards that addressed their unique challenges and enabled transformative improvements:

  • Data Automation:
    VDG replaced time-consuming manual data extraction processes with near real-time dashboards that dynamically pulled and analyzed data with minimal input. For example, processes that previously required hours of manual work in Microsoft Access and Excel could now be completed in seconds, allowing the team to focus on higher-value activities.
  • Customized Dashboards:
    A compliance monitoring system was developed with visual gauges (green, yellow, red) that provided an at-a-glance view of permit process performance. These gauges were tied to specific metrics, such as application backlog and turnaround times, and were color-coded to highlight compliance thresholds. Managers used this tool daily to quickly identify and address areas of concern, ensuring continuous process improvement.
  • Ad-Hoc Reporting:
    Recognizing the dynamic nature of permit management, VDG enabled ad-hoc reporting capabilities that allowed the team to respond to new, unforeseen questions in minutes. For instance, when stakeholders requested real-time insights into staffing needs for permit applications, the team was able to provide accurate data and calculations within minutes—something that was impossible before the implementation.
  • Database Mapping:The transition to a new permitting database posed challenges due to its complexity and lack of documentation. VDG worked closely with the department over six months to map the database, linking dozens of tables to ensure accurate data extraction and usability. This foundational work allowed the dashboards to reliably pull 20+ years of historical data for trend analysis and forecasting.
  • Data-Driven Staffing Models:
    The department developed models to calculate optimal staffing levels based on real-time and historical permit workloads. The team then partnered with VDG to build the necessary tools for extracting the data required to run the models, ensuring more efficient workflows and up-to-date data. This collaboration resulted in a streamlined process, reducing permit turnaround times from 60–90 days to an average of 20–30 days. The staffing model played a key role in securing leadership approval for the addition of six staff members by clearly demonstrating a strong ROI.

Results:

20-30
days:

Reduced permit turnaround time from 60-90 days to 20-30 days, significantly accelerating home construction timelines.

6 new
staff members hired:

Data analysis directly supported the hiring of 6 new staff members, improving efficiency and reducing permit backlogs.

50-75%
time savings:

Automated reporting cut weekly data processing time from 50-75% of staff workload to just minutes per report.

From Data Overload to Data-Driven Success: How Gorman-Rupp Transformed Operations with Visual Data Group

Overview:

Gorman-Rupp, a leading industrial pump manufacturer, partnered with Visual Data Group (VDG) to modernize their data analytics and reporting infrastructure. By implementing Qlik Sense dashboards, automating reporting processes, and consolidating multiple ERP systems, Gorman-Rupp streamlined sales tracking, on-time delivery monitoring, and quality control processes. These enhancements have led to faster decision-making, improved operational efficiency, and a more proactive approach to data-driven problem-solving.

Client Name:
Gorman-Rupp (Industrial Manufacturing – Pump Systems)

Problem:

Gorman-Rupp had long relied on manual reporting methods, including Microsoft Excel pivot tables and SQL Server Analysis Services cubes, to track critical business metrics such as purchase price variance (PPV), sales performance, and on-time delivery. However, as the company transitioned from an AS400 ERP system to a SQL-based Syteline ERP, existing reporting structures became obsolete, leaving the organization with data blind spots and inefficient processes.

Key challenges included:

  • Inconsistent and manual reporting – Many reports required significant manual intervention, leading to inefficiencies, inaccuracies and delays.
  • Limited visibility into sales and delivery performance – Without real-time dashboards, managers lacked a clear view of order backlogs, shipping timelines, and potential bottlenecks.
  • Quality control inefficiencies – Pump performance testing was largely paper-based, making it difficult to track defects, analyze failure trends, and identify root causes for corrections.
  • Manual data processes delayed fiscal period close cycles – The finance teams were dependent on manual data pulls, leading to delays, and inaccuracies. These inefficiencies slowed decision-making and increased operational costs, highlighting the need for a modern BI (business intelligence) solution.

Solution:

Visual Data Group collaborated with Gorman-Rupp to implement a suite of Qlik Sense dashboards and automated reporting solutions that enhanced data accessibility, analytics, and operational efficiency.

1. Data Automation & Near Real-Time Dashboards

VDG replaced manual data extraction processes with dynamic Qlik Sense dashboards, providing near real-time insights into key performance metrics. Reports that once required hours of manual work in Excel could now be generated in seconds, allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

2. Sales & Delivery Performance Monitoring

  • BIS Dashboard Implementation – VDG helped Gorman-Rupp create a Backlog, Incoming, and Shipping (BIS) dashboard, a high-level tool that provides daily sales tracking for the executives and finance teams
  • BIS Dashboard Expansion – VDG then helped Gorman-Rupp expand the reach of the BIS dashboard to all divisions and business units enhancing business conversations and providing a single version of the data.
  • Automated Reporting via NPrinting – Managers receive automated email reports summarizing sales figures, order status, and potential delays, enabling proactive decision-making.

3. Quality Control & Pump Performance Tracking

  • Digital Pump Testing System – Gorman-Rupp’s traditional paper-based pump testing process was fully digitized using Qlik dashboards.
  • Pass-Fail Analysis for Defect Detection – Engineers can now track pump failures in real-time, categorize issues (e.g., gasket defects, low pressure), and quickly identify recurring supplier problems.
  • QR Code Integration for Field Access – Customers and field technicians can scan a QR code on each pump to instantly retrieve testing records and historical performance data.

4. ERP Data Consolidation & Standardization

  • VDG drove the reporting and analytics transition from three separate ERP versions to a single centralized updated version as the sole source of data.
  • This consolidation ensured data consistency across multiple sites, reducing reporting discrepancies and increasing efficiency.

5. Added Self Service

  • Ad-Hoc Reporting Capabilities – Team members can now generate on-demand reports for their individual requirements such as audits, compliance checks, and operational reviews without IT intervention.

Results:

Manual reporting virtually eliminated:

Manual data processing time was reduced by > 90%, allowing individuals and teams to generate reports in seconds instead of hours. This improvement enabled managers to make real-time, data-driven decisions without waiting for manual data extraction.

3 ERP systems consolidated:

VDG successfully integrated three older ERP versions into a single, centralized data hub, improving data consistency and eliminating redundant reporting processes across multiple locations.

Significantly reduced manual workloads while improving accuracy and speed:

By automating report distribution with NPrinting Reports, Visual Data Group was able to eliminate all of the staff workload spent on data compilation and distribution, freeing employees to focus on higher-value tasks like strategic planning and process optimization.

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Data Group to learn how we can drive value for your business.

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