CASE STUDY: DATA AND DIGITAL
VISIBILITY OVER SPEND
BENCHMARKING PURCHASES
MET AMBITIOUS TIMESCALES
CHALLENGES
The client, a large global telecommunications and security company had committed tight timelines to implement a new ERP procurement solution. The new system, Ariba, part of SAP, would replace multiple systems in place across Europe. The organisation were already working with SAP to manage the implementation but found that they didn’t have the resource internally to support the requirements from their side of the project. Based on a strong existing relationship, they approached us when they needed specialist help quickly.
Our aim was to deploy our flexible resource wisely to take the strain off the internal team and use our experience of best practice to bring additional benefits to the implementation.
CHALLENGES
Internally, the team were already stretched and didn’t have senior resource, with the necessary technical knowledge, to dedicate enough time to the project. The client sites were spread broadly geographically and within different time zones. Our client needed resource that could be flexible and travel extensively to work with each team.
During our initial involvement, it became clear that the client had underestimated the work involved in data migration and specialist resource would also be required in this area to meet the project timelines.
WE DELIVERED
Knowledgeable, practical, mobile resource
Provided a specialist practitioner to co-ordinate requirements for the design of the new system and supporting processes from teams across multiple countries.
Ensured the individual had the right blend of technical skills and practical experience to quickly add value to the project, alongside the ability to sensitively manage stakeholders.
Designed the approach to maximise value of time available from senior colleagues.
Data migration approach
Put together an experienced team with understanding of specific data migration challenges.
Utilised Proservartner technology to extract data from multiple systems.
Agreed and applied client data rules then cleansed data and established a process to correct anymissingor incomplete data.
Tested resulting data tables and outputs, working with users to validate data quality.
Independent view of best practice
Utilised our extensive experience of creating standardisation to influence decisions about implementation and configuration.
Agreed new policies and procedures to support the new system, removing manual processes and workarounds that had previously been necessary.
OUR RESULTS
Overall, the organisation has better visibility of its spend, being able to benchmark purchasing decisions on an international level. This has put them in a position to make better purchasing decisions and be able to compare wherethe best decisions are being made.
Our involvement in key areas meant that the ambitious project timescales were met without putting undue strain on the operations. As well as the new system, the organisation is moving forwards with significantly improved data quality and the considerable efficiency benefits provided by consistent processes.