Problem/Situation
News Organization and its related Graphics Company were attempting to construct a shared services environment based on state of the art technology.
The parent company was running GEAC on a mainframe system while the Graphics company was running Computer Associates on a mid-range platform. MAS assisted the combined organizations with strategic systems planning, requirements definition, vendor selection and implementation.
Some of the key problem areas are outlined below:

• Diverse, multi-location specialized ‘manufacturing’ organization with little coordination of policies, procedures, systems or personnel
• Obsolete applications for Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing and Operations Control.
• Lack of centralized systems processing required for a shared services environment
• Lack of a national wide area network required for servicing approximately 50 locations
• Lack of a comprehensive project methodology for strategic systems planning, systems integration, vendor(s) selection and implementation

Solution/Approach

• MAS utilized its custom methodology to assist the client in strategic planning for systems replacement, systems integration, shared services infrastructure development and wide area network design and implementation.
• Provided guidance and monitoring of all phases of the project and implementation assistance for the replacement of finance, sales, manufacturing and human resource systems as well as the deployment of a nation-wide Frame relay network

Results
The following results were obtained from the successful completion of the project:

• Developed an effective shared services model with appropriate staffing
• Selected PeopleSoft financials and Vantive CRM applications to replace GEAC and Computer Associates.
• Designed and managed the implementation of a nationwide Frame Relay Network
• Standardized the accounting and operational policies of all business units prior to implementation
• Completed the implementation of and data conversion for PeopleSoft financial applications in less than four months
• Utilized comprehensive project methodology to accomplish the project goals defined during the strategic planning phase of the project
• Designed and conducted sales and marketing training program for sales representatives utilizing the Vantive CRM application
• Assisted the client in saving three million dollars in vendor expenditures over the course of the project