For Cogent SSC we were appointed to assist them in building a database and helping them communicate with their market place. At the time Cogent had a limited database, its MS CRM system was still in development and the majority of the information held was paper based and in spread sheet form.

We began by establishing with Cogent the objectives that needed to be fulfiled, this then identified what data and basic search criteria Cogent needed to meet its SSA obligations in reaching and communicating with its target footprint. The main requirement was to be able to identify by region, sector, turnover or employee figures for employers in the UK. This would form the basis for starting and underpinning the outbound targeted communications plan.

Also required was the ability to keep notes as to the level of contact undertaken with the target market as well as capture details such as website address and email.

Opening Doors designed and built an MS Access based user front end that would allow up to 5 users simultaneously to use the basic CRM system. A migration strategy was also discussed and agreed at the same time that the long term goal would be to move the database from MS Access to MS SQL Server allowing it to be web based.

Within a 6-8 week period we were able to complete the following for Cogent:

- Researched and identified sources of information for 25,000 employers across the chemical, polymers, petroleum and nuclear industries by SIC code, turnover, number of employees, region, country, full contact details and chief exec and HR director level contacts. Populate the database with this data.

- Researched and populated the database with; the majority of the UK MPs, all of the MEPs, all of the HFE establishments in the UK (over 1,000), input all of Cogent's media contacts at local, regional and national press level.

- Identified and obtained for Cogent a current database of 49,000 schools in the UK including contact details.

- Identified with Thomson from their database of 436,000 business email addresses over 4,000 of which mapped onto Cogent's sectors in the UK. Designed and created HTML messages that mapped onto specific contacts i.e. Chief Exec and HR Director across the sectors that could be re used to send different themes and business issues.

- Helped design and implement an outbound email pay survey invitation to over 7,000 businesses across the sectors.

- Undertook detailed gap analysis and produced a report and recommendations and action plan for Cogent to 'close the gaps' in its database over a 12 month time frame.