Customer stories


OEHCS, Inc.

Regulatory consulting firm organizes federal reporting for clients with powerful FileMaker Pro databases

Ensuring compliance with an ever-changing landscape of federal health and safety regulations requires meticulous record-keeping and careful organization of data, leading many companies to entrust this task to independent consultants. One of the leading options for firms looking for fast, responsive, affordable service, Occupational, Environmental and Health Consulting Services, Inc. of Hinsdale, IL offers a standout service - powered by FileMaker Pro 8.5 databases.


Business Challenge

Maximum service at minimal expense in an ever-changing regulatory climate. That's the challenge facing any firm providing regulatory consulting services, and it was just as much of a challenge when OEHCS, Inc. began operations more than twenty years ago. "We advise our clients," explains company president Bob Brandys, "on issues relating to biological exposures, governmental reporting of chemical use, and other health and safety-related concerns that they lack the necessary experience to organize and execute."

An intrinsic part of that work is preparing detailed, documented reports on how clients use and store hazardous materials. The process involves complex forms, which must be thoroughly completed to ensure that all reporting requirements are met. This in turn, requires ready access to a vast library of material containing guides and other written documentation for each hazardous material covered in the report.

Bob's son Ryan has used FileMaker Pro since he was 14 years old, when he began helping his father at OEHCS by using the software to handle the financial end of the business. Having taught himself the ins and outs of database development, he was just the man to prepare a powerful system to automate much of the reporting process.


Successful Solution

FileMaker Pro 8.5 databases store a complete library of federal reporting forms, along with detailed records containing all the necessary background information on every chemical and other hazardous substance covered in the regulations. "Every year we can process the new information," Bob explains, "and FileMaker Pro fills out the form automatically using preview mode. Then we print the finished forms as PDFs and file them with the regulatory authority.

The simplicity of customization and updating built into the FileMaker Pro application ensures the information is always up to date. "Our latest FileMaker Pro database on chemical exposure limits for 5000 chemicals allows us to instantly look up the exposure limits for chemicals from 50 different countries," adds Bob. "Nobody else in the world has this capability."

Other databases in the system store test results from air quality samples gathered at client sites, including full information on time and place of collection and the results of laboratory analysis. This data is also processed and exported to PDF by the FileMaker Pro system, ready for filing with the appropriate government agency.

OEHCS Inc.'s work with FileMaker Pro led to the formation of a second company, managed by Ryan Brandys.  This firm, Branmuffin Inc.,offers a full range of FileMaker Pro development services to non-regulatory clients.  Ryan’s firm now services an ink manufacturer, a computer networking firm, an entertainment club management firm and a commercial loan expeditor.


Customer Benefits

Regulatory compliance consulting is a harshly competitive business, with firms required to operate as inexpensively as possible in order to keep their clients’ fees down. For OEHCS, the FileMaker Pro solution deployed is an essential contributor to the success of their business and marketing plans. "Close to 70% of the consultants in this business employ less than 4 people," stresses Bob. "Most of these people work out of their homes, so they have very little overhead. This means there are many consultants with whom we have to compete – and having been in business since 1984, we've seen many competitors who’ve come and gone."  With the market imposing a heavy cap on fees in the regulatory consulting field, the only way to increase revenue is to increase productivity. "One simply can't afford to hire more employees because no one has enough work to hire another person full time," Bob continues. "This is where FileMaker Pro helps us do more with a smaller staff – we can get more work done in less time than our competitors, and this translates into more revenue."

For their clients, the savings are mutual, with OEHCS handling the difficult, complex job of regulatory compliance reporting at a fraction of the cost of doing the work themselves. "For example, we handle the chemical regulatory reporting for a multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 corporation," relates Bob. "It's cheaper for them to outsource this computer-intensive function to us, rather than trying to maintain and develop it in-house. It's a task that cannot realistically be done by hand – it'd take a week to do what we can do in just a few hours. What this means is that the client ends up saving almost $4000 per report."

Savings to clients through the use of FileMaker Pro means repeat business – and that in turn means better, stronger relationships with those clients, and a healthier business for OEHCS. As Bob emphasizes, "FileMaker Pro is one of the reasons we've been able to survive all these years!"


"FileMaker Pro helps us do more with a smaller staff – we can get more work done in less time than our competitors, and this translates into more revenue."

Bob Brandys, President, OEHCS Inc.



Contact information

Contact Info for Customer:

Bob Brandys
President
OEHCS, Inc.
630-325-2083
bobb@safety-epa.com
http://www.safety-epa.com


Filemaker Contact:

Kevin Mallon
Public Relations Manager
FileMaker Inc.
408-987-7227
kevin_mallon@filemaker.com
http://www.filemaker.com


Overview
  • Consulting firm providing advice and guidance on compliance with federal health and safety standards. Also operates a separate company offering custom FileMaker Pro development services for non-regulatory clients.
  • Based in Hinsdale, IL
  • Approximately 5 employees
Industry
  • High Technology
  • Small Business
Solutions
  • Using FileMaker Pro 8.5 databases, OEHCS assists clients with completion of federal regulatory forms. Databases containing specific information on regulated chemicals and other health and safety issues automate the process of completing the documentation and provide completed PDF forms for submission to the appropriate regulatory bodies.
Benefits
  • Low personnel costs made possible by FileMaker Pro save clients thousands of dollars per report.
  • Ease of customization ensures databases may be kept fully up to date with ever-changing regulations.