The ACG Steps to Success:
from Business Process Audit
through Remote Support

Business Process Audit:
The beginning to any successful project is understanding your current
business processes and support systems, and calculating the costs.
In many instances, manual recordkeeping and reporting diminishes
productivity. We have also found where several systems are being used
and information has to be entered multiple times, that time is wasted and
errors are introduced. In our business process audit, we invest the time
to understand the costs of your current systems, and future desired
functionality. A comprensive business process audit is a proven,
efficient tool to identifying and prioritizing your real needs.

Product Demonstration:
From information obtained in the business process audit, we demonstrate
how our products address these issues. Due to feature sets, customization
and flexibility, all ACG products have more than one method of operation.
Numerous examples are explored to find the best fit for your organization.
We are committed to ensuring the best-possible solution!

Proposal Process:
ACG is committed to accuracy and comprehensiveness in designing
appropriate solutions. In most cases, core needs are addressed in the
Capital Investment Summary. If additional functionality is being considered,
these items are listed under an options heading. Our professional services
are quoted in hours, with an estimated time range to complete. These hours
represent the time required to install, setup and train on the major functionality
of the system. A good example is, if you are installing a new payroll system,
the focus will be on the steps to make sure you are ready for your first live
payroll. Once the payroll is functioning, it is time to invest in the additional
effort required to use your system to maximum benefit.

Implementation:
There are seven steps to our implementation process. Setup and training
is based on our consultants working at your location.

a) Discovery: In the discovery session, our project manager
and consultants, and your team drill-down on the information
gathered during the Business Process Audit and discuss in
detail your requirements, structure and the steps necessary to successfully integrate the solution into your environment.
This is also the start of creating the timeline, and assigning
responsible parties for each step of the project. After the
meeting, a finished timeline with dates is forwarded for your
approval. It is important that these dates be carefully
reviewed, as future changes can cause delays.

b) Installation: Depending on the solution, installation is
performed by your IT department, ACG or both. Some of our
products require skill sets that might require ACG to do
the installation.

c) Setup: The key to any successful software is staff
understanding of how the system works, as well as how to
use it, so our setup process involves your users. In many
instances, we explain and demonstrate with examples,
and have your professionals finish that part of the setup.
Of course, we’re available to answer questions as they arise.

d) Review and Testing: An important step in implementation
is confirming that the information is accurate and business
rules are working properly. Examples are comparing trial
balances, customer discount matrixes, manufacturing cost
analysis, parallel payrolls, comparing benefits statements
with calculated benefits and automated workflow processes.

e) Training: Often, we start training sessions with an
overview of the system. Through the knowledge gained
during setup and review, our consultants refine the steps
required to use the system to match your internal processes.
These processes are the core of our training classes.
Training is focused on the core aspects that prompted the
purchase. During this entire process, our consultants record
their observations regarding the need for additional training
and implementation assistance.

f) Going Live: This is the day your investment begins to
pay dividends. Our consultants will be available on-site or
via phone to ensure your first day live with your system is
a success. Of course, we will have thoroughly reviewed
all checklists previously to ensure that everything has
been covered.

g) Post Implementation Review: Some time after the
go-live, we review how the system is being used. Often
we find that valuable functions are not being used most
effectively or at all. Often the solutions we provide change
the flow of jobs in order to achieve the best practices
you seek. At this point, we provide guidance and remedial
training to ensure that you obtain the full value from
your investment.

Ongoing Support:
Our goal for each client is a successful, long-term working partnership.
To this end, we offer support contracts structured to match your requirements,
which can be used for technical support, custom report generation, phone and
web-based training, and assistance with software upgrades. With the use of
our Net Support Control internet dial-in, we can provide all of these services
remotely. We also contact you regularly to address questions you may have.
And, we have product-specific users groups that meet quarterly to share
knowledge and insights for using your system to best advantage.

We invite you to join the more than 400 companies that have trusted
ACG’s knowledge and dedication to helping them be more efficient
and profitable.