Two Paths to PICK Modernization: Lessons from Eagle Group & Encompass
For many businesses running PICK/MultiValue, the fear of modernization is real:
- “Will we lose decades of customizations?”
- “What if modernization disrupts operations?”
- “Where do we even begin?”
The truth is, modernization doesn’t have to be a rip-and-replace gamble. Two companies—Eagle Group and Encompass—show us how different strategies can lead to the same goal: preserving the value of PICK while preparing for the future.
Eagle Group: Baby Steps, Big Impact
When CIO Shawn McGrath joined Eagle Group, he inherited a 45-year-old PICK system. His first challenge wasn’t just the technology—it was the culture. The system was stable, but teams had built shadow IT in Power BI and spreadsheets just to get their work done.
“We were in survival mode, just keeping the lights on with no clear path forward,” Shawn recalls.
Rather than attempt a massive overhaul, Shawn started with foundational steps:
- Upgraded infrastructure to a new Power10 server.
- Planned a roadmap to Linux for broader integration options.
- Partnered with Zumasys to begin introducing Rover Business Suite modules.
By treating modernization as a journey, not a destination, Eagle Group is steadily building momentum—without risking business continuity.
Encompass: Building a Future-Ready Platform
Meanwhile, at Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, SVP of Technology Brent Blair faced a different challenge: scaling a PICK system to handle 10M+ SKUs, 600 employees, and nine locations.
Seven years ago, Encompass virtualized their servers and migrated to JBASE with help from Zumasys. From there, they leaned into modernization:
- APIs & REST Services powered by Rover Business Suite, enabling seamless web and partner integrations.
- Automation & Robotics in the warehouse, from conveyors to robots, all tied directly into their PICK logic.
- Modern DevOps with GitHub, VS Code, and younger developers brought in through modern toolchains.
- Customer-Facing Innovation like documented APIs, Stripe for payments, and Avalara for tax compliance.
Today, Encompass is serving 2.7 million API requests per day—all running through their modernized PICK foundation.
As Brent puts it: “I don’t know if you’re ever really done. Modernization is a journey, not a destination.”
The Common Thread
Though their strategies look different, Eagle Group and Encompass share a mindset:
- Preserve what works. Both companies kept the custom business logic that makes them unique.
- Modernize incrementally. Eagle started with infrastructure; Encompass started with APIs. Both are moving forward in phases.
- Empower people. Modernization isn’t just about technology—it’s about training, hiring, and making systems easier for employees to use.
Takeaway for PICK Users
If you’re running a PICK/MultiValue system, you don’t need to fear modernization. The real risk is doing nothing. Whether you take baby steps like Eagle Group or a platform overhaul like Encompass, the key is to start.