Company: American International Relocation Solutions (AIReS) Pittsburgh, PA
Company Description: AIReS is a leading provider of full international and domestic relocation services. AIReS’ offices in the US and overseas utilize premiere technology to provide world-class relocation management for more than 500 international corporate accounts. AIReS was recently named an “Agile 100” by CIO Magazine and will be featured on MSNBC’s “Winners Circle” hosted by Terry Bradshaw.
Nomination Category: Team Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best MIS & Systems Team

Nomination Title: AIReS CIS Team Connects Worldwide Relocation Services

1. Tell the story about what this nominated team achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Under the direction and leadership of President Bryan Putt, AIReS helped develop
and launch OMNI-Connect in 2004.  This e-commerce system links members of the global relocation community to help ensure seamless delivery of relocation
services, anywhere in the world. 

Prior to the implementation of OMNI Connect, each global relocation service
provider utilized its own IT system and was only able to fully interface with
those partners who used the same system.  This meant that members were unable to
fully utilize the e-commerce benefits granted to them through their membership
in OMNI (Overseas Moving Network International).  They also spent a great deal
of time recording and relaying the ongoing updates, last minute changes and
unexpected developments that can be common in the shipping and relocation
industry. 

The process of transferring and updating information was hampered by the variety
of systems utilized by global relocation companies.  With highly detailed
account information passed between these systems, the omission of even one piece
of information could lead to serious problems with complicated shipments. 

AIReS was chosen by OMNI to drive design and implementation of the OMNI Connect system.  AIReS’ extensive background in the design, development and
implementation of proprietary, cutting-edge technology made it the logical
leaders through this process.  AIReS’ Computer Information Systems (CIS)
department developed and implemented the proprietary system currently used to
service all of the AIReS accounts.  Because AIReS built its own system, it is
able to constantly reconfigure and update its capabilities to suit the needs of
its clients.  AIReS is also able to seamlessly interface with its clients’
systems at any time, to provide them with the needed support in the format that
is best for each client.

This experience in seamlessly integrating systems and producing highly adaptable
solutions proved invaluable through the development of OMNI-Connect.  The
initiative, led by AIReS and OMNI President Bryan Putt and supported by key
members of the OMNI network, led to the creation of a state-of-the-art global
relocation management system.  Members are able to log into this system to see
constantly updated information about clients’ shipments, regardless of the IT
system that is used by their corporation.  Real-time information is shared
between vendors to ensure seamless shipment management, from origin through
travel to final delivery at destination. 

The flexibility of OMNI-Connect allows OMNI members to utilize it regardless of
their company size or global reach.  Members are not required to have large
staff or operating locations, or to spend money on reconfiguring or replacing
the operating systems they currently utilize.  By keeping the concerns of OMNI
members firmly in mind through the program’s development, the creators of
OMNI-Connect were able to ensure that the system is designed to fit each
member’s needs and address their concerns.  It has achieved its penultimate goal
of minimizing stress throughout the global relocation process.

AIReS was recently named an “Agile 100” by CIO Magazine and will be featured on MSNBC’s “Winners Circle” hosted by Terry Bradshaw.

2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

http://www.aires.com

http://www.cio.com/archive/081504/overview.html

http://www.omnimoving.com/omnipressrelease_main.asp?mode=display&article=19

3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of this nominated team:

Bryan Putt currently serves as President of AIReS.  Prior to his tenure at
AIReS, he was a Senior Consultant for Oracle Corporation.  Putt joined AIReS in
1989 as Director of Information Systems.  Under his leadership, AIReS developed
and maintains proprietary technological systems that have solidified their
position as a leading provider of global relocation services.

Putt also serves as President of OMNI.  Upon assuming this role in 2004, has
taken a critical role in shaping the relocation industry.  Surrounded by take
relocation to the next level.