Warehouse management software provider MACS is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of standard and bespoke WMS in the United Kingdom and since its formation in 1990 it has also become well established in countries across the globe.

Working internationally however presents a whole range of challenges for MACS’ implementation team, especially in developing countries where poor infrastructure, cultural differences and politics have to be carefully considered.

“It’s important to get as much as possible done at home before arriving ‘in country’”, said Implementation Director Richard Miller. “Things we take for granted like a reliable electricity supply is often not available and power outages lasting several days are not uncommon.”

Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti and a subsequent cholera outbreak, MACS sent in reinforcements to get the SCMS (a delivery partner for USAID) warehouse, which dispatches vital antiviral drugs, back to full operational capacity.

As a result, Richard recently completed a four month stint in Haiti supporting the MACS WMS site. “The people I worked with had an amazing amount of energy and determination despite the devastating experiences they’d been through. We were often left with no electricity and the cost of basic items in the supermarkets was extortionate. A single lettuce retailed at £8! It was also the rainy and hurricane season – ‘luckily’ we only had one hurricane.”

Richard was formally invited to attend the 40th anniversary of MSH (Medical Sciences for Health). This was a high-profile island event with the Prime Minister of Haiti and Minister of Health joining in the celebrations.

However, the goodbye party from the warehouse and management team meant the most to Richard. “I was presented with a 2ft x 3ft cake decorated with the words ‘Merci Richard’ it was all very moving and it is a moment I’ll never forget,” said Richard.

Clearly there is more to running a software company than creating IT solutions to business problems. There is also a very human side involving diplomacy, patience and a willingness to work in very difficult circumstances. MACS’ implementation team led by Richard Miller is committed to supporting its customers wherever in the world they are needed.