Case Studies
Major Newspaper Publisher: New Finance System Selection Project
Client contact: Finance Director – New Projects
Parkwell staff: 2 consultants
Objectives and project background:
Our client, a large newspaper publisher, was using Coda as their main accounting system. This was an old version of the software which had been interfaced to a stand-alone stock management system and to a bespoke reporting package.
Coda had experienced trading difficulties over the previous few years and not developed the product effectively. Additionally, they did not provide an easy upgrade path to later versions of the product.
Our client decided to seek an integrated accounting system as a replacement. The objectives were to find a system with a single chart of accounts, flexibility for future group expansion, improved reporting facilities and integrated procurement functionality.
Parkwell was engaged to assist in the gathering of user requirements, reviewing the market for appropriate vendors (both mid-range and ERP vendors), and to help the client conduct a comprehensive selection process.
Scope & Boundaries:
- Selection of an integrated system for the finance department.
- The system was to be selected by the Finance departments’ users.
- The IT department had very specific technical criteria to meet.
- The system would need to interface with other operational systems such as advertising, circulation, payroll and contributions systems.
- The project had to address new reporting requirements – both for finance and other business departments.
Parkwell provided the project managers whilst the client provided key staff from the accounting departments in each business unit.
Anticipated Benefits:
- An integrated system to meet current and future business needs.
- Modern accounting package running on the preferred Oracle database platform and integrating with modern desktop applications.
- Assured maintenance and support for the system with a clear upgrade path.
- Reduced dependence on supporting systems (PICS, bespoke reporting package).
Deliverables:
- A detailed user requirements specification.
- An invitation to tender.
- A list of potential software suppliers.
- Selection and scoring of supplier responses based on our SELECT methodology.
- Short list of suppliers for demonstration.
- Supplier briefings and demonstration packs.
- Three supplier demonstrations.
- A short recommendation report.
Project Conclusion:
Unfortunately, the system chosen by the finance users did not meet the strict technical requirements laid down by IT. After several negotiations with IT, it was clear they would never support an implementation of the accounting package preferred by the finance department.
This caused the finance department to retain Coda and explore other options, one of which involved investigating the upgrade path for Coda.