Case study

INTELSAT – AIRCRAFT TECHNICAL SERVICES DATABASE

Shakewell transformed a legacy Microsoft Access database into a secure, scalable web application—improving how technical publications are tracked, created, and shared internally across the organisation.

At a glance

Migration: Microsoft Access backend to a custom Microsoft SQL Server database
Replaced: the Access front end with a redesigned web interface
Roles: Administrators, Technical Writers and Reviewers
Integrations: ACT and PCT XML export compatible with Windchill; Agile database synchronisation

The problem

Intelsat’s technical publications database was built on Microsoft Access, with a front-end/back-end structure accessed through desktop links. The limitations were significant: no cloud hosting or real-time collaboration, file links needing re-issuing to users on every update, and manual workflows for document tracking and requests.

Our approach

We were engaged initially for discovery and analysis. Based on those findings the scope expanded to design, development and deployment of a new internal application hosted on Intelsat’s own infrastructure.

The work migrated the Access backend to a custom SQL Server database and replaced the Access front end with a redesigned web interface carrying access levels for Administrators, Technical Writers and Reviewers. A redesigned Document Request Form handles requests and revisions, with tracking through the review lifecycle. The system exports ACT and PCT XML compatible with Windchill and synchronises product and document metadata with the Agile database.

The outcome

A secure, scalable web application replacing a desktop database — hosted inside Intelsat’s infrastructure and accessible only from within it, with real collaboration and document tracking in place of re-issued file links.

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