Implementation Services
Custom Financial Solutions, Inc. is committed to ensuring you have a successful implementation and that SouthWare® is configured specifically for YOUR business. This means helping you get up and running quickly and cost effectively. It also means making sure you have implemented SouthWare® to properly meet your business processes and information needs now and in the future, thus maximizing your return on your investment.
Custom Financial Solutions, Inc. employs a turnkey approach to our implementation services. We provide the needs analysis, design, project management, configuration, data file conversion, staff orientation, testing, installation and training as part of our implementation services. Implementing new software systems can be difficult and time consuming. However, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
Services provided as part of the Implementation:
Needs Analysis and Design
CFS will conduct a review of your current management information systems and the processes, procedures and organization structure as they relate to the management information system. We will also take into consideration potential company and process expansion. CFS will then use this information to make recommendations for improvement and work with your company on determining how to best configure and utilize SouthWare® to suit your needs and requirements. If your requirements do not change during an implementation, our consultants have not done their jobs.
Also during this phase we will work together to determine the members of the implementation team, identify the system administrator, design an implementation plan, develop a time line and create task lists. Together we will plan the project and direct staff to conduct it. Given the complexity and overall business impact of a project of this nature, we are prepared to provide as much hands-on assistance as you deem necessary.
Project Management
One thing that CFS is confident of is that implementation and training are the keys to fully utilizing your new system. The key to a successful implementation is project management. Regrettable, this is where many business software implementations fall apart. We are committed to managing your implementation project from beginning to finish. Our experts employ all the processes, skills and tools necessary to successfully manage each of our projects. From implementing it, monitoring the progress and evaluating it's success. We have developed a well-defined approach to our implementation services. We strive to gain cooperation and buy-in from your staff, identify and avoid potential problem, manage schedules, resources, and costs, and communicate process with management all with one goal in mind.
Configuration
This phase consists of the configuration and setup of SouthWare®. We used the information gathered during the needs analysis and design phase to configure SouthWare® to work specifically for your business and information needs.. (Examples: Control records, chart of accounts, term codes, sales person records, purchasing buyer codes, locations, technician records, service codes, etc).
Data conversion and testing
CFS will map and test all data conversion imports prior to installation. The following types of files may be included in the imported data conversion phase: Customers including billto and shipto's, open Accounts Receivable transactions, vendors, open Accounts Payable transactions, inventory items, vendor catalogs, beginning inventory balances including serial numbers on hand, customer equipment items.
CFS will also work with your company to process test transactions throughout the entire system to test the set up, configuration, security and functionality of the installation. Examples of the types of testing that will be done are: quotes, sales orders, service orders, purchasing, receiving, invoicing, time entry, cash receipts, vouchering, processing checks, general ledger posting, etc….
Staff Orientation
To facilitate an operational understanding of how SouthWare® can help you manage your day-to-day business operations, CFS has designed an orientation program. This orientation will enhance the onsite training that will occur and will provide you a basic understanding of how the software processes your data, what operational procedures you may need to adopt or change in order to utilize the features available to you, and general daily usability of the software.
Installation
Custom Financial Solutions will, with the assistance of your technical staff, install SouthWare® on your network. This installation will consist of the SouthWare® program files, your company data files and test data files. The test files will be used for testing and training purposes. CFS will also assist in the workstation setup.
Training
During the implementation process, CFS's main objective is making sure your implementation team learns and understand the how to utilize the capabilities of the entire system and how to take advantage of its many features.
Post Implementation
For many companies, the initial focus is to have the basic features and functionality of the system up and running. Subsequently, however, you may have a need to continue to enhance the efficiency of your business processes by making better use of your new business management system. Utilize the expertise of our consultants to learn more innovative and comprehensive uses of SouthWare®'s features and functionality. Custom Financial Solutions consultants also assist with software enhancements through custom programming, writing custom reports, or installing additional modules.
The most beneficial reason for our post-implementation services is the growth and profitability of your business. Also see our Optimization consulting and Business Efficiency Consulting.