One of the best parts of a Product Manager’s job is to go onsite to visit companies in their own environments to see first hand how they do their daily work.  It's always fun to have those "lightbulb moments" where we see a customer need that we might be able to solve with future versions of Peachtree.  As we were sitting in the owner’s office of a small, make-to-order manufacturer last month, we heard “Order is ready in the fish!” through the intercom.  I have to admit, this was the first time I had ever heard that over the speaker system while visiting a customer.  The owner didn’t mention any products or services around aquaculture or fish supplies, did she…?  But didn't the voice say, “IN the fish?” and not “FOR the Fish?”  I scribbled down “fish?!?”

 

The owner, a vivacious and colorful woman, gave us a tour of the office.  The main offices were on the main floor and the production and warehouse space was downstairs via a bright red spiral staircase.  As we reached the bottom of the stairs we saw a large purple basket attached to a rope to the top of the staircase.  On the front of the basket was, of course…a fish.  She explained that when a design proof or prototype has been completed and ready for review, the guys put it in the basket with the work order so it can be accepted.  Then they scream through the intercom for someone to hoist it up and deliver it to the right person upstairs.  For them, this was a simple, time-saving solution to running up & down the spiral stairs.  This was definitely the one of most creative notification and routing systems I had seen so far.

 

It’s really exciting to work on projects that allow us to experience first hand how our new features can help customers automate their company’s workflow.  Although it may be a little difficult for us to pass the prototype electronically through Peachtree for our friends with the fish basket, I bet a new 2010 feature may really help route the paperwork, notify the right person AND keep the office a little more quiet when it’s time to “go fishing”.

 

Do you have any crazy or unique example about how your company communicates or passes work between each other?  We’d love to hear your story or see pictures.  Who knows…we might just be able to help.