CRC Launches New Software Implementation Strategy

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--CRC Information Systems, Inc. (CRC) has begun providing adopters of its business management system with advanced implementation services that will allow them to make the transition from their current solution to THE System in as little as six weeks.

"Previously we followed traditional software implementation methods and allowed the customer to determine training deadlines. Ultimately this approach often caused installations to take longer than necessary," explains Jeff Peck, CRC's general manager of training. "Our new procedures involve advanced preparation with specific completion dates for each client and incorporation of their data during training, which helps reduce the learning curve."

CRC's new implementation strategy allows trainers to be more proactive by establishing a detailed plan of action with the client and constantly monitoring and reinforcing the implementation goals.

Royal Oak, MI-based commercial printer Arbor Press is among the first companies to benefit from the new implementation plan. "This is one of the best training experiences I have ever been involved with," remarked Arbor Press CFO Bob McCann.

"Having the ability to train with our company-specific data made me feel more comfortable entering information and navigating throughout THE System," McCann explained. "Also, training in a real-world environment gave us the opportunity to uncover and address unique, real-world situations that we normally would not have discovered until after we had made the switch and gone live."

The success of this program is due in large part to the services CRC provides prior to any formal training:

* Three weeks prior to training, customers document their workflows to pinpoint any existing bottlenecks. This document will eventually aid in increasing productivity by serving as a starting point from which a more efficient IT architecture will be created. During this time, companies also start compiling databases (customer lists, vendor lists, general ledger accounts, etc.) in an Excel file that CRC's staff can use to create the customer's training database. This allows end users to train with their actual data, making the learning process more relevant and substantially more effective.

* Two weeks prior to training, THE System is installed on the client's network and end users are familiarized with the training database

* One week before training data files are delivered to CRC to be converted, users brainstorm questions and concerns regarding implementation procedures, and documentation on upcoming training sessions is reviewed.

The training sessions are broken up into three two-week segments that cover accounting, estimating, job costing, sales and marketing, and executive modules. During the first week of each phase, CRC trainers instruct key users on a particular area of the software. Those users then return to instruct others in their department during week two.

After training, the customer's database is loaded on its server so the staff can continue to build on the work done during training at CRC. This ensures that every step the customer takes is moving them forward. There are no redundant steps, which means no wasted time. Also, CRC will monitor the progress of each implementation by continually reviewing the customer's database to ensure that data is being entered properly and that the scheduled goals are being met.