Stream V – ERP Software Implementation Strategy

Over many years, Cove Systems has developed an implementation strategy to speed up the install process of a new system. This process has been successful at sites around the world.Purpose:

• To identify policy and procedure areas within the organization which will be affected by the Stream V application.
• To review the current business systems, current methods of doing business, the current systems that support those methods, problems experienced with existing methods, and systems and business or system opportunities to be addressed by the new system.
• Create a GAP/Fit analysis list and implementation schedule that the client can work with.
• Supporting documentation to be used as a reference throughout the analysis process.

Mission:Based upon the customer's requirements, budget and needs, Cove Systems can provide services to help implement your system. Cove Systems has 3 methods for the implementation; each uses our simple 8 Step process to the Stream V implementation success.

• Software licensing, scoping, kickoff meeting, customer completes Business Operations Analysis Questionnaire.
• Cove or in-house Business Analyst gathers customers existing policies, procedures and documentation. Performs interviews and reviews operations and functional areas with key users/managers.
• Prototyping, build a test case, system analysis is done to confirm features and functionality.
• Deployment, build full production system and start training, building user procedures and guides.
• Interface/Integration as part of deployment, interfaces with other systems, daily operation procedures, backups, restores, etc.
• Data Pre-conversion, testing & acceptance of data conversion, performance testing, effectiveness of interfaces/integration.
• Cutover to the live system and turn off old system.
• Post-implementation review, upgrades and enhancements. Continuous Improvement Program.

We consider there to be three discerning types of ERP Software implementations.1) Cove Systems Turnkey Implementation:Where Cove Systems performs all the functions of implementation, from scoping the requirements, analysis design, prototyping, deployment, integration, cut over into production and continuous improvement. Costs start at 200% of the software cost depending on the organization.2) Cove Systems Standard Implementation:Where Cove Systems works with the customer's implementation team. Cove Systems trains the trainer method. We give the team the knowledge to implement the Stream V software successfully. We do initial training for the implementation team, they then take that knowledge transfer and start the 8 step process to implement the system. The key advantage to this method is that it lowers the cost of implementation. The risks are based upon the implementation team that is built, installation may take longer, and knowledge transfer may not take as well. Cost normally ranges from 50 to 200% of the software cost.3) Customer Self Implementation:Where Cove Systems works with the customer's implementation team, locally or remotely. Cove Systems is there to help support the customer's implementation team. We provide the materials to the implementation team so that they then take that knowledge, transfer it to the users and start the 8 step process to implementation the system. The key advantage to this method is that it lowers the cost of implementation. The risks are based upon the skill level of the implementation team, installation may take longer, and knowledge transfer may not take as well. Cove is available to audit and review self implementations. Cost normally ranges from 10 to 90% of the software cost.

Business Process Development and MappingHelp the customer understand how to describe business process flows in terms of Cove Systems application job streams. Assist in determining what manual procedures and controls should surround those job streams to provide the desired level of process standardization and control.Data Element MappingHelp the customer understand the many Cove Systems application codes and data fields. For example:

• Show how product group, product code and product line are used in inventory control and how they can be used with customer price group to determine price matrix operation.
• Show how distribution codes in A/P can be used to significantly reduce data entry.

Deliverables

• Business Operations Review Report
• Data Entry Plan
• Data Conversion Plan
• Data Retention Plan
• Training Plan


• System Configuration Plan
• Hardware Requirements Analysis
• Project Personnel Savings Review
• Security Review