Discover how B&D Industrial enhanced communication and efficiency with OneDirectory, a user-friendly and modern employee directory solution.
About B&D Industrial
B&D Industrial has been a leader in industrial products, services, and software since 1947. Thousands of customers have trusted B&D Industrial for its proven reliability, cutting-edge technology, and continuous innovation.
With a nationwide presence, B&D Industrial offers comprehensive shop, field, engineering, and material handling services, delivering solutions directly to clients across the United States.
The Challenge
B&D Industrial relied on a communication platform to help employees locate and contact one another. However, this system presented several significant challenges.
Not all employees had access to the platform, and some were using personal phones, leading to gaps in their internal directory. This inconsistency created disjointed communication where not everyone could be easily reached, hindering collaboration across the company.
The company quickly recognized the need to address the critical issue of missing a a modern employee directory that could bring all employees onto a single, unified system.
The primary concerns during this search were the time and cost required to set up a new employee directory solution. B&D Industrial needed a system that was not only cost-effective but also quick to implement, minimizing disruption to daily operations. The challenge was finding a solution that could seamlessly integrate with their existing infrastructure and fill in the missing pieces of their employee communication.
Exploring Alternative Solutions
To address the communication gaps and create a unified staff directory, B&D Industrial initially explored the idea of using a SharePoint list. The concept was simple: create a centralized, easily accessible list where all employees could see and search for contact information. This solution seemed promising as it leveraged the company’s existing Microsoft infrastructure and could be implemented without significant additional costs.
However, this approach soon revealed several limitations. One of the main issues was that not all employees had regular access to computers, particularly those working in the field or in roles that didn’t require constant computer use. This meant that a significant portion of the workforce would still be left out of the loop unable to benefit from the SharePoint staff directory.
Recognizing these shortcomings, B&D Industrial knew they needed to find a more robust solution.
Critical Needs
- The employee directory needed to be accessible to all employees, including those without regular computer access, such as field workers and staff using personal devices.
- The solution had to be user-friendly, ensuring that employees with varying levels of technical expertise could easily navigate and utilize the employee directory without extensive training or support
- Given the company’s partial cloud-based infrastructure, the employee directory needed to integrate smoothly with existing systems, particularly Microsoft 365, without requiring a complete overhaul or transition to a fully cloud-based environment.
Why B&D Industrial Chose OneDirectory
B&D Industrial chose OneDirectory for its seamless integration with Microsoft 365, which allowed for a quick and hassle-free setup without the need for additional infrastructure. This integration ensured the employee directory was up-to-date and easily accessible to all employees, regardless of their location.
The platform’s powerful employee search and profile features provided exactly what B&D Industrial needed to enhance communication and collaboration across the company. Additionally, the ability to view the entire organization through an intuitive org chart was a significant advantage, helping employees better understand the company’s structure and improving overall transparency.
These combined benefits made OneDirectory the ideal solution to meet both the immediate and long-term needs of B&D Industrial.
“Our VP of IT decided on OneDirectory due to how easy it was to use, how well it looked, and the cost-effectiveness. The built-in organizational chart was a large plus.” – John-Micheal Warner, Help Desk Technician at B&D Industrial.
The Benefits
Implementing OneDirectory brought a host of significant benefits to B&D Industrial, directly addressing the critical needs identified during their search for a solution:
- Ease of Implementation: One of the standout advantages of OneDirectory was its straightforward implementation process. The platform’s seamless integration with Microsoft 365 allowed B&D Industrial to quickly set up the directory without the need for extensive IT resources or prolonged downtime.
- User-Friendly Interface: OneDirectory’s intuitive design made it easy for all employees to access and navigate the directory, regardless of their technical expertise. Employees could effortlessly search for colleagues’ contact information, fostering a more connected and collaborative work environment.
- Automated Data Updates: Keeping employee data up-to-date was a significant challenge with previous systems. With OneDirectory, B&D Industrial benefited from automated synchronization with their existing Microsoft 365 infrastructure. This automation ensured that employee information was always current and accurate, eliminating the risk of outdated contact details and reducing the administrative burden on HR and IT teams.
- Improved Communication and Collaboration: By centralizing all employee contact information in one easily accessible directory, OneDirectory significantly enhanced communication across the company. Employees could quickly find and connect with coworkers, regardless of their location or department, leading to more efficient collaboration on projects and faster response times to customer needs.
"OneDirectory has significantly improved our internal processes. The ease of use and integration with our existing systems have made it an invaluable tool for our team." - John-Micheal Warner, Help Desk Technician at B&D Industrial.
The Wrap Up
For B&D Industrial, OneDirectory was more than just an employee directory—it was a solution that streamlined communication, enhanced collaboration, and improved operational efficiency.
As the company continues to grow, OneDirectory remains a vital component in ensuring that every employee, no matter where they are located, feels connected and informed.
