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Sophisticated eBusiness solutions are
fundamentally changing the way we work. Finding the right
product and ensuring a successful implementation can be a
major challenge – one which the Defence Evaluation Research
Agency “DERA” faced following their decision to install a
company-wide Enterprise Resource Planning “ERP” system in
1998.
“Congruent were
a key component of our implementation team and demonstrated an
acute understanding of customer requirements. They were able
to offer practical solutions in a timely and responsive
manner, forming a true partnership throughout the project”.
Graham Kettles,
Business Manager
DERA
DERA, the largest single employer of
scientists in the UK, comprising some 15,000 civilian, military
and contractor personnel, required a Human Capital Management "HCM"
System that would provide a total business solution for managing
the diversity of its employees whilst simultaneously embracing
industry best practice.
Prior to PeopleSoft, DERA had a recruitment
system that was not particularly business focused and largely
under utilised. With the correct combination of existing
functionality, carefully chosen customisations, and a business
driven implementation team, DERA was able to introduce a new
“transparent” recruitment process.
Moving from systems that were largely
manually based, DERA automated their pay review process,
replacing 36,000 manual database transactions with 28 automated
ones, delivering subsequent annual savings of around 45 man-weeks
of effort. By removing such routine administration in Personnel, HCM staff can now concentrate on strategic issues and as a
result are able to add greater value to the business, helping to
ensure the long-term future of the organisation.
Throughout the implementation process, DERA
used Congruent to implement the new recruitment process allowing
any employee involved in recruitment to view details of
potential candidates for all vacancies across DERA. Any
applicant who has skills potentially valuable to the
organisation may have their details posted on the intranet in
order to be available to the business as a whole.
Congruent were also instrumental in
developing the Intranet and Self-Service facilities that has
enabled employees the opportunity to maintain their own data.
By empowering the employees to regularly review their details on
the intranet, critical information is kept up to date. DERA also
utilise a Personal Enquiry Package System (PEPS) which allows an
offline view of HCM data downloadable to a laptop or hard drive.
PEPS allows managers to carry out strategic HCM planning away
from their normal office environment.
Despite an aggressive timescale, the
changeover to PeopleSoft went smoothly and was completed on time
and to budget. Since go-live on November 29, 1999, DERA have a
quicker, more efficient system for managing their Human Capital
Management. DERA are able to benchmark the relative
effectiveness of their HCM organisation. By removing the routine
administration in Personnel, HCM staff can now concentrate on
strategic issues and as a result are able to add greater value
to the business, helping to ensure the long term future of the
organisation.
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