Case Studies

Business Objective

ITW is a loosely-controlled collection of over 600 operating units with 2500+ locations in 43 countries and nearly 52,000 employees. Although part of the parent company, these myriad business units have their own corporate culture, business processes and homegrown technologies, resulting in a wide mix of business practices and technologies throughout the overall conglomerate. Although ITW prides itself on the lack of layers within management and a hands-off policy with its operating units, they have realized that the parent corporation must take a solid leadership role in choosing, purchasing and supporting technologies that will unite its subsidiaries and leverage economies of scale to compete in the new economy. However, ITW does not traditionally embrace a large technology staff.

Prescient Solution

ITW has elected to outsource its high-level IT functions by partnering with Prescient Solutions. Prescient's role is to analyze, recommend and roll out technology in order to streamline ITW's current operations and unite their distributed business environment. By partnering this way, ITW can stay abreast of leading edge technology, have access to senior IT personnel, and relegate IT staffing roles to Prescient on an as-needed basis. Plus, ITW can do so without the overhead of a full service IT staff.

ITW now uses Prescient Solutions to help define the corporate IT vision, review existing technologies, select emerging technologies, and staff projects with qualified personnel at a fraction of the cost of a full-time staff. One of ITW's first initiatives was to complete a technology and business systems survey in order to obtain the current state of the business. From there, Prescient helped ITW determine how to leverage automation to develop more efficient practices, thereby lowering overall costs.

Project 1 : Company IT Survey

Prescient Solutions supports an International cost savings initiative for ITW Corporate by surveying all 600 Business Units (2500+ locations in 43 Countries) to review all Data and Communications systems and business practices in order to provide more cost efficient and effective solutions for the entire ITW Corporation. Prescient worked closely with the CFO, Technical Vice President and support staff of ITW to develop a Web-based, international business survey to be completed by each of the 600 Business Units. Once completed by the Business Units, all data is accumulated into a SQL Database that is accessible to ITW Officers, Support Staff and Prescient. This Data is then reviewed to determine the Data and Telecom Service Providers, Connectivity Methods, Data and Communication Hardware and Technology Vendors, as well as Financial Applications and Support Contracts for each of the individual business units. Upon review of the data, ITW is able to determine the actions and steps needed to save the Business Unit, and therefore Corporate, the largest amount of money. As a result of the ITW Survey project, www.itwsurvey.com, the following projects have since been defined and are being implemented.

Project 2 : Communications Carrier Migration

After completion of the US Business Unit survey information, Prescient Solutions and ITW were able to review the existing Telecom and Data Contracts with AT&T, WorldCom, Broadwing, Sprint and other providers. It was determined that, by combining the overall ITW buying power of Telecom and Communications Lines, ITW would see substantial cost savings and better support agreements through higher spend commitments among fewer service providers. As a result, ITW entered into contracts with WorldCom and Broadwing to be the only providers of Data and Communication services to all US-based ITW Business Units. This contract has guaranteed higher levels of support and greater bandwidth in 100% of all of the US-based Business Units. Additionally, while migrating from previous communications carriers, Prescient worked with the individual Business Units to define and, in some cases, upgrade the existing Telecom/Network Hardware, which has increased service levels and provided higher cost savings. Migration of the 1500+ US-based facilities from previous carriers to WorldCom/Broadwing is approximately 75% completed to date with a current cost savings of over $4 Million.

Project 3 : VPN Deployment

As a result of the Survey and Carrier Migration projects, ITW Corporate and Prescient Solutions reviewed the number and types of connections between Corporate and the Business Unit Headquarters, and also those between the Business Unit Headquarters and their remote facilities. Legacy connections like Point-to-Point and Frame Relay are, traditionally, extremely expensive and continue to use outdated hardware within carrier networks. Newer, IP-Based Backbones provide higher cost savings, quicker packet transmission rates and higher levels of guaranteed service. In order to provide secure, redundant and low-cost circuits between ITW and all of its facilities, Prescient Solutions partnered with a managed VPN Solution Provider, OpenReach, to design, configure and implement an international VPN Backbone. The VPN is designed to provide Secure Inter-Office Email, HR and Financial Correspondence, and Resource Sharing on Site-to-Site connections. It also provides Remote Access to ITW Corporate from the Business Units. The ITW Corporate VPN installation is completed for North America and International installation has begun.

The Business Unit migrations to a VPN infrastructure have just begun. After migration of the first eight Business Units, ITW has saved over $1.2 Million, increased overall bandwidth and received higher levels of SLA's. Additional Frame-to-VPN migrations are being planned and will be completed as new circuits are provided.

Project 4 : Corporate Strategic Sourcing Web Site

Also as a result of the ITW Survey project, ITW and Prescient Solutions were able to determine that, each year, Illinois Tool Works' North American business units spend several billion dollars purchasing direct and indirect materials and services. Therefore, during 2001, ITW Corporate established a Strategic Sourcing Group to optimize its supply chain activities by coordinating and leveraging the purchasing and procurement of commodities from a select group of preferred suppliers. As a member of the ITW Strategic Sourcing Group, Prescient designed, implemented and currently manages the ITW Sourcing Web Site, www.itwsourcing.com. The Sourcing Web Site provides order entry for all ITW suppliers and business partners: Communications, Fleet Management, MRO, Office Supplies, Packaging, Logistics and Travel. Again, because of the efficiencies of size, ITW Corporate can combine its buying power and provide significant cost savings to the individual business unit and therefore, ITW Corporate.

Project 5 : Corporate Web Site

Prescient Solutions designed and developed a web site for Illinois Tool Works (ITW, Sales $12B) that facilitates the communication of new projects throughout its 500 divisions worldwide. The site allows individuals to search for ongoing projects within ITW or enter information about new projects with which they are currently involved. Authors of projects can attach documents, drawings and CAD designs to further communicate what the project is about. After a project is entered, a unique e-mail notification system forwards an email with a URL hot link of the project to all interested parties. Users of the site choose what types of project notifications they wish to receive by selecting predefined categories. Prescient also developed a quality assurance web site that allows ITW to communicate quality issues and remedies throughout its corporation. This site is similar to the project information site, but also tracks whether the issue is pertinent to other divisions for selected categories. Ford Motor Company was the driving force behind the creation of the ITW quality assurance web site and it has been very well received by both Ford and ITW. Both sites generate reports that allow management to assess the effectiveness of the entered projects or issues.

Project 6 : Administration Support

As a result of the other projects completed or in progress at ITW, Prescient Solutions now provides PC Helpdesk, LAN/WAN Network Infrastructure Administration and Support, Network Administration and Support, Network Design/Architecture, Network Security and Network Analysis and Monitoring to ITW Corporate and over 15 ITW Business Units. Different services and levels of support are provided to each individual ITW facility based on their in-house expertise and business objectives.

Prescient Solutions designed and now manages the fully-redundant, multiple-ISP Internet connections at the Glenview Corporate Campus, providing Internet Security via redundant, load-balanced Cisco PIX Firewalls along with Cisco Intrusion Detection solutions. Prescient also provides daily management and support for the Corporate Email, Finance and Terminal Servers. Prescient also provides all support and management for the hosting of Business Unit Email and Web Services.

Business Objective

Tempel Steel, like many companies, was challenged to find and retain quality IT professionals to maintain in-house systems. In the spring of 2002, Tempel sought to reduce the overall cost of ownership of their internal IT operations, improve service levels to internal and external clients, ensure staff continuity, and guarantee 24x7 support. Additionally, Tempel wanted to make their business systems more available to workers on the manufacturing floor and, also, to extend those systems to other high-end processes and equipment.

Prescient Solution

After careful consideration by the executive board, Tempel decided to outsource the entire network and PC support operations to Prescient Solutions and, as a result, have reduced costs dramatically, increased service levels, and restored confidence in the network operations area. Prescient has a 2-year Outsourcing contract to provide five full-time consultants onsite to Tempel Steel, performing Helpdesk, Network Administration and Support, WAN Management and Project Management of all Data and Communications activities.

After review of the business applications and systems requirements for all workers and departments, Prescient Solutions has designed an international Citrix Farm supporting over 650 users in three different countries. From Citrix, Tempel provides access to the Office Suite of applications, the Exchange messaging systems and the Tempel financial/manufacturing and order entry applications, making it the backbone of the daily business operations. Additionally, Prescient designed, configured and currently supports the Tempel Steel Local Area and Wide Area Networks. This includes the redundant Gigabit Backbone between all Chicago Campus buildings, the 10/100 Megabit Ethernet Switched Network to all Workstations and Controlled Equipment, and VPN connectivity to their East and West Coast facilities.

Business Objective

Du-Comm is responsible for the safety and security of over 700,000 residents in DuPage County, so the agency works closely with the ETSB (Emergency Telephone System Board) to find the best and most efficient means to provide E-911 services to their constituents. The required applications require sizable infrastructure and server implementations to run in a stable and efficient manner.

Prescient Solution

Du-Comm requested that Prescient Solutions perform a complete system and infrastructure audit. During the course of the audit, Prescient identified multiple system enhancements and upgrades that would increase the Performance, Security and Stability of the environment.

The most important component of the Du-Comm network infrastructure had to be Stability, and even though the existing Motorola Printrak Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) application was designed for fault tolerance, the remainder of the systems did not share the same characteristic. In order to increase the stability of the network, Prescient recommended the installation of a fully-redundant, chassis-based network switch along with the implementation of a Blade Server system. Using Clustering and Continuous Data Protection technologies, the new systems have the ability to support all Du-Comm and other County agency users throughout DuPage. Prescient also designed the systems to provide load balancing in order to provide the increased growth projected over the next three years.

Prescient Solutions provides day-to-day Help Desk, Server Administration, and Network Infrastructure Administration. Prescient also provides support and configuration of communications equipment for DuComm in the DuPage County public safety vehicles.

Business Objective

With the nature of O'Hare's business and the immense size of the airport grounds, as well as the number of users and disparate systems used at O'Hare, designing a high-speed network backbone that would provide connectivity to all the airlines and city workers seemed impossible to the O'Hare technical department. Also, several sets of fiber and multiple pieces of network equipment cluttered the O'Hare Computer Center and the 29+ miles of tunnels underneath the O'Hare facilities, complicating the task even further. Nevertheless, Federal Safety and Security requirements mandated a design of such a system. Prescient was asked to review the campus network, design the networking infrastructure and propose the installation of the project. Cisco Systems was also asked to design the campus environment. However, after review, O'Hare technicians decided that Prescient's experience with both the Networking Infrastructure Equipment and Network Operating Systems made Prescient a more logical fit and, therefore, they selected Prescient's design over Cisco's.

Prescient Solution

Prescient began working with Chicago O'Hare to provide installation, configuration and support for the campus Cisco Gigabit Ethernet project. During that project, Prescient designed the Network Infrastructure to be installed including the Fiber connections between MDF and IDF's located throughout the O'Hare Terminals and the Networking Hardware to be used (Cisco 3500 and 6500 Switches). After the design and campus installation was completed, Prescient worked with the City of Chicago/Department of Transportation to install the new O'Hare Cisco Infrastructure onto the Chicago Routed MAN. Once O'Hare was complete, Prescient provided the design for Chicago Midway Airport and supported the O'Hare technicians with their installation of the Cisco 3500 Switches. Since the Gigabit backbone project has been completed, Prescient Solutions has designed, configured, installed and supported multiple Cisco Wireless 802.11b Systems at both O'Hare and Midway Airports. These wireless access points and bridges provide secure connectivity to remote buildings at rates of up to 11 Megabits to the O'Hare, Midway and Chicago networks. Prescient has installed bridges for O'Hare and Midway, providing access for remote facilities up to 16 miles away. Additionally, Prescient provides O'Hare with senior-level MS and Novell Server support personnel for system upgrades and installations, as well as support for their GroupWise Messaging system. Finally, Prescient provides management and configuration support for all remote PC's using the Novell ZENworks Application and other remote management packages.

Business Objective

York High School has approximately 3500 students and 300 faculty and staff. The school was faced with multiple problems because of inexperienced networking technicians and the aggressive time constraints of a full-scale IT Implementation project. The Cisco Gigabit and Wireless infrastructures were experiencing significant connectivity issues which caused regular user disruptions. The creation, maintenance and support were too much for the onsite staff to handle. As a result, students were unable to run the applications necessary for their classes and teachers were unable to obtain the necessary privileges to administer and control their applications and data. Finally, the onsite consultants had no experience or training in either Cisco IP Telephony or the school administration application, PowerSchool, making it impossible to complete the necessary day-to-day administration and support.

Prescient Solution

Prescient Solutions was brought in to complete a detailed network and systems analysis, baseline and review. Prescient used multiple testing applications and devices to determine processor and memory utilization levels of all IT devices (i.e. networking infrastructure devices, servers, etc.). Additionally, Prescient used monitoring devices to view network packet and protocol utilizations in order to determine appropriate configurations of the Gigabit and Wireless Infrastructures. Finally, Prescient used security-monitoring applications to determine the security of the York Internet connectivity, server environments and wireless infrastructure.

Once the review was completed, Prescient Solutions provided York with a complete list of outstanding issues addressing the network infrastructure, server, PC, and application tasks to be completed. As a result, Prescient received an annual contract to correct all outstanding issues and provide daily administration and support of the York High School IT solutions.

Within the first two weeks of the project, Prescient was able to re-configure the Wireless Network Infrastructure and eliminate 100% of all Wireless Issues. Additionally, within the first month, Prescient was able to close all 250 outstanding Trouble Tickets for Servers, PC's and Applications. Prescient Solutions now supports York High School with all IT needs including the development of custom reporting, administration and support for the school administration application, PowerSchool.

Business Objective

After the initial configurations and modifications were completed at York High School, Elmhurst requested that Prescient Solutions perform a similar Network Analysis of the existing District Infrastructure. The analysis included a sampling of the traditional network infrastructures, WAN analysis, Internet security and bandwidth, file and print sharing servers, workstations, printing and application environments of some of the Elmhurst K-8 schools. The goal of the analysis was to determine causes of the Local Area and Wide Area Network connectivity and latency issues.

Prescient Solution

As with the York High School analysis, Prescient Solutions used multiple testing applications and devices to determine processor and memory utilization levels of all IT devices (i.e. networking infrastructure devices, servers, etc.). Additionally, Prescient used monitoring devices to view network packet and protocol utilizations in order to determine appropriate configurations of the Gigabit and Wireless Infrastructures. Finally, Prescient used security-monitoring applications to determine the security of the District Internet connectivity, and server environments.

Once the review was completed, Prescient Solutions provided Elmhurst with a list of issues addressing the network latency problems. Prescient found that the Comcast cable network infrastructure was improperly configured, encompassing many non-district facilities wherein network loops, broadcasts and other inefficiencies were occurring. Prescient also suggested the implementation of new network switching devices within the District facilities.

Prescient Solutions installed and configured new cable network devices to fully segment the Elmhurst District WAN from other Elmhurst Township network devices. Since the implementation of the new infrastructure, Prescient has monitored, managed and supported all connections within the District. Additionally, Prescient re-constructed the District Network to use more efficient Protocols, eliminating unnecessary network broadcasts and inefficiencies. Finally, Prescient designed, configured and installed new network infrastructure switching devices in all District facilities to increase the efficiencies of local network traffic.

Since the completion of this project, Elmhurst has completed a full Helpdesk and Network Management outsourcing contract with Prescient Solutions.

Business Objective

Alliant Foodservice's core business function is to process foodservice orders and ship product as efficiently as possible. The decision was made in 1996 to review their order entry business procedures and re-design the user application in order to handle the new business environment, manage the increased volume and leverage newer technology. Specifically, Alliant mandated that the existing custom laptop application, named Alliant-LINK, be upgraded from the legacy DOS environment to Windows and that numerous refinements and new features be added. The old application was in use by 10,000+ users and, therefore, both the speed and robustness of the new application were of paramount importance.

Prescient Solution

After Alliant approved the budget for the re-design of the order entry procedures and software, the project was awarded to Prescient Solutions. Because of Prescient's business experience and the depth of Prescient's IT practices, Alliant decided to engage Prescient as their sole partner to review the business practices, rewrite the Alliant-Link application and redeploy the new application to the 10,000+ users. As is the case with all application development projects, Prescient's most important task was to complete the business rules analysis, defining and documenting the necessary order entry processes and obtaining client approval on the procedural documentation. Prescient identified the keys to success for the project as: 1) Analysis of legacy business rules as written and coded into the existing DOS application and; 2) Review and redesign of the existing proprietary database architecture.

Prescient Solutions redeveloped the customer version of the flagship Alliant-LINK order entry software used by thousands of Alliant customers across the country and also created the Trade Manager version of the same software for rollout later that year. The two versions of the order entry software developed by Prescient are used to process billions of dollars of orders for Alliant Foodservice each year. Additionally, Prescient also provided the corresponding project management during the course of the project. The budget for this project was in excess of $1 Million and the project was completed on time and within budget.

Business Objective

As one of the leading financial investment companies in the world, Bank One Capital Markets (BOCM) reviewed its electronic banking procedures and decided its customers should have access to global electronic futures exchanges, including market data and trading capabilities for risk managers, corporate treasurers etc. From there, BOCM decided to develop a scalable solution they could deliver to middle market risk managers that allowed them to trade via direct connections or the internet, thereby capturing new revenue streams in the process. Bank One Capital Markets partnered with an application service provider to develop the applications they envisioned. Unfortunately, the service provider was unable to provide the depth of IT Services (Business Practices Analysis, Network Services and Application Development) necessary to support their goal of automating Order Execution, Back Office Product and Service Support, Consolidated Global Clearing and Facilities Management.

Prescient Solution

A trusted business partner, one who also used Prescient Solutions as its IT Service provider, recommended Prescient to BOCM. Prescient reviewed the application developed by the previous service provider and, after review with Bank One Capital Markets, helped design and develop the Bank One Capital Markets Back Office Accounting and Reporting System (BARS). BARS is an Internet solution providing Bank One clients with simple point and click access to their back office data requirements. Once the BARS application was developed, BOCM needed help designing, configuring and maintaining the network infrastructure, file servers and security policies necessary to make the new BARS application and their existing application, OneTrade, effective, efficient and safe for BOCM customers. OneTrade is an online trading system accessing all major electronic futures exchanges with current access to CVOT, CME Eurex, and Liffe electronic products. Prescient now provides Bank One Capital Markets (Exchange Traded Products) with a fully-outsourced networking department, performing daily PC Helpdesk Support, MS Network Administration and Support, Cisco Router Configuration and Support, WAN Monitoring and Management, and Checkpoint Firewall Installation, Monitoring and Support. As part of the MS Network Support, Prescient installed a fully Fault Tolerant/Redundant Server Cluster for the Capital Markets ETP electronic banking server system. Additionally, Prescient has also provided the design and installation of a disaster recovery facility for Bank One Capital Markets ETP.

Business Objective

Electri-Flex located in Roselle, IL manufactures liquid tight flexible electrical conduit. They produce the most diverse line in the world with respect to sizes, types and colors. The company's network infrastructure was composed of Linksys switches and wireless access points that provided sparse coverage. They had a single Dell workstation running as a network server and outsourced the hosting of both their email and web services. Additionally there was not a standard configuration in desktop hardware or software; most machines were years behind in Windows patches. Internet access was provided by a DSL line, though some users were still using dialup. The ERP application being run had been unsupported by the manufacturer for many years and was highly customized to meet their needs. As a result it was difficult and time consuming to make changes to the existing software to meet their business needs. Poor data management procedures lead to significant data loss.

Prescient Solution

Prescient Solutions was brought in to complete a detailed network and systems analysis, baseline and review. Prescient used multiple testing applications and devices to determine processor and memory utilization levels of all IT devices (i.e. networking infrastructure devices, servers, etc.). Additionally, Prescient used monitoring devices to view network packet and protocol utilizations in order to determine appropriate configurations of the network Infrastructures, both Wired and Wireless. Finally, Prescient also used security-monitoring applications to determine the security surface area of the Internet connectivity, server environments and wireless infrastructure. Once the review was completed, Prescient Solutions provided Electri-Flex with a completed list of outstanding issues addressing the network infrastructure, server, PC, and application tasks to be completed. As a result, Prescient received an annual contract to correct all outstanding issues and provide daily administration and management of the Electri-Flex IT department. Since being brought in Prescient has updated the network infrastructure with HP Servers, Cisco Switches and Wireless Access Points, internet access is now provided through a T1 line, and hosting for email and web services has been brought on site. All hardware has been standardized on a common hardware and software configuration. Prescient played a lead role in selecting the next generation ERP application for Electri-Flex; Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Prescient is managing the implementation process by coordinating deliverables between all vendors that are involved.

Business Objective

The Signature Group had over 2000 users in their Schaumburg facility and was using outdated PC's with Windows 3.1 and DOS-based applications to access the Signature suite of financial and insurance applications as well as office applications. Additionally, the Signature Group used the World Wide Web extensively to market their products and services. In order to provide high-quality service to their online customers, the Signature Group wanted to track the activity of each customer during their online sessions. Since the Signature Web Applications spanned multiple servers in multiple locations, tracking multiple users and sessions was outside the capabilities of their systems.

Prescient Solution #1 : Loginator

The Loginator, created by Prescient Solutions, is a sub-component of the Signature Group's leading-edge web application infrastructure. The Loginator is a COM (Component Object Model) component that provides session-tracking services for Signature Group's many web applications. It replaces the Session object in IIS (Internet Information Server), overcoming its inherent limitations while implementing Signature Group's specific Business Rules. It allows the customer to be tracked across multiple web sites, and allows the web site developer a facility to propagate customer-related data as the customer navigates from web page to web page, or even across web sites. PATENT PENDING.

Prescient Solution #2 : Web Site Migration

GE Financial Assurance (GEFA) has 14 major e-commerce sites that have been co-located with Pilot Network Services in Alameda, California. Prescient Solutions helped design and implement the production environment at Pilot Network Services in Alameda. Prior to the outsourcing of the sites, Prescient worked with GE Financial Assurance in the configuration, implementation and management of the production E-commerce sites in Schaumburg, IL. Prescient managed the web server and SQL server environment at GEFA during this time period. Our personnel merged business objectives and requirements with solid web applications and infrastructure designs to deliver robust Microsoft based solutions. Prescient performed all aspects of Windows NT administration, IIS 4.0 and SQL 7.0 deployment in a 3-tiered development lifecycle. Prescient's network consultants managed source code version control and performed network design and network troubleshooting. Router management and Firewall configuration has also been under the scope of Prescient at GEFA.

Prescient Solution #3 : 2000 Workstation OS Migration

The Signature Group found it necessary to maintain leading-edge Web Applications in order to provide the high quality of service necessary to grow their financial and insurance client base. Additionally, they found it necessary to provide leading-edge workstations and professional operating systems to their staff in order to provide quick, efficient and effective support to their client base. As a result, Prescient Solutions designed the appropriate workstation and server operating systems and hardware necessary to support specific applications for different departments. Once the appropriate devices were determined, Prescient developed a project plan to migrate 2000+ users and multiple hardware platforms in a 90-day timeframe. In order to provide full migration of data and standard configuration of hardware and software, Prescient developed and tested standard system images, backup procedures, test labs and training programs for the client. Once the Project Plan, System Images, and procedures and implementation plan were all defined and approved by the Signature Group, Prescient rolled out the 2000+ new systems by changing the operating systems, reinstalling custom apps, reinstalling off-the-shelf apps, fixing email, and migrating data. All steps of this project were completed on time and under budget.

Business Objective

GNB is a manufacturing firm with a twist; most of their orders come from highly complex, custom-made battery arrangements wherein their clients can mix-and-match various parts to create a custom battery unit. GNB's objective was to build an order entry tool that would let both sales reps and clients alike design and submit these custom battery arrangements in addition to ordering existing configurations and parts from their catalog. The challenging aspect of this project was the fact that multiple variables such as voltage, size, weight, power output, etc., go into creating a custom configuration. Further, the result of the creation process must be broken down and uploaded for order processing in both component and assembled format. It should be noted that this project was not defined or documented in any way prior to Prescient Solutions' involvement, with early project direction delivered to Prescient verbally from the executive project team.

Prescient Solution

Prescient Solutions won this project based on their business acumen as much as their technical expertise. Prescient worked early on with the executive board to identify and document major business processes and moved down through the organization to translate these processes into technical specifications during discovery interviews with line personnel. The result was a detailed technical specification that GNB used to solicit bids—including a bid from Prescient—and ultimately turned into the main exhibit to the contract to perform services, which was used by Prescient to manage the project and fulfill the contract. The GNB Solver software designed and developed by Prescient provides GNB's sales agents with the following functionality: Order Entry, Battery Sizing, Modular Battery Configuration, Technical Information, Electronic Parts Catalog and transmission of Quotes and Orders to GNB Headquarters electronically. Orders are transmitted to GNB Headquarters through a secure dial-up line. The Configurator section of the software suggests pre-configured battery systems that meet the user's requirements, yet it also allows the user to custom-configure a system specifically for their needs. The user can enter all the technical information required to configure a battery system, and the Configurator will display all the pertinent data related to the system as well as an AutoCAD drawing of the system. The Parts Catalog section of the software allows the user to find information about additional parts that their customers may desire. Parts may be added to the Order form directly from the Parts Catalog section of the software. The Battery Sizing section of the software allows the user to determine which product/size meets their particular requirements without assistance from GNB's Consulting Department.

Business Objective

Illinois Tool Works is a large manufacturing business that has 750 decentralized business units in over 49 countries. Despite being so highly decentralized, the company must obtain financial information from all business units on a monthly basis. ITW employed standardized paper forms and facsimile transmission of this information before personal computers were available. As the company modernized its IT infrastructure in the late 1980s, this facsimile system was converted first to a desktop application and then a web application. Automating the facsimile system was a considerable improvement as it removed the requirement of double entry that the facsimile system created.

Despite the availability of the web-based financial reporting system to the business units, problems still persisted. The web-based system was designed in the late 1990s and was based on the Microsoft ASP web application development platform. The ASP platform, while being a very simple platform to develop for and to deploy, has serious limitations. ASP lacks the scalability of more modern application development platforms. ASP mixes application code and presentation code, creating applications that are hard for developers to maintain. ASP lacks built-in features to achieve many important functions such as email transmission, cryptography, page state maintenance, and important user controls, requiring third party code to achieve.

In addition, the source code for the financial reporting system was handled by multiple consultants, creating an inconsistent and poorly documented system which was very difficult to maintain and extend. When features were added to the system, it would break in unpredictable ways and require very time consuming testing. It was determined that the financial reporting system would be rewritten to a more modern application development platform, important features would be added, known performance problems would be eliminated, and the system would be written in a consistent and documented style.

Prescient Solution

Prescient Solutions was selected to rewrite ITW's financial reporting system due to their demonstrated ability to maintain and improve the prior ASP system, despite the lack of documentation. ITW and Prescient decided to maintain compatibility with the previous system by utilizing the existing database structure while rewriting the application in ASP.NET.

The re-developed application has increased the system’s scalability, greatly improved its security, and robustness. The new financial reporting website has been in production for approximately two years as of January 15, 2008 and has been collecting ITW's corporate financial information uninterrupted since going live. The new website has improved the collection of financial information for the corporation, has simplified data entry for the business units, and has lowered the support costs for the corporate IT staff.

Business Objective

The Marmon Group is an international association of more than 125 business units that operate independently within diverse business segments with a collective revenue of $7 billion. Marmon uses Hyperion Financial Management (HFM) for financial reporting for both reporting units as well as the executive management.

Since the system was first implemented in 2002, it has been in a constant state of change due to system upgrades and architecture changes primarily driven by changing management reporting needs. These changes have been performed by various outside consultants from a multitude of companies.

Unfortunately, this use of many different consultants along with the constant demand for application changes has lead to numerous complications mainly due to lack of proper documentation and knowledge transfer. Minimally, these complications make the system overly complex while in some instances they pose a risk to the business' ability to perform vital monthly reporting functions. (I.e. a system upgrade of a custom undocumented component failed which threatened the business' ability to perform monthly financial close tasks).

Prescient Solution

Prescient's first involvement with Marmon's HFM system was during a recent upgrade. The consulting company implementing the upgrade could not get a vital component working properly. The component was a custom designed component with no available documentation. Prescient played a key role in fixing the component which allowed the upgrade project to succeed. Prescient's network engineering staff also played key roles during the upgrade as they recommended, ordered, and installed necessary hardware and software vital to the upgrade.

Currently, Prescient's HFM consultants are tasked with planning the future direction of Marmon's HFM application to ensure that it will be scalable enough to meet Marmon's future needs of the system. Through input gathered from Marmon executives as well as the recent USA project, Prescient has created a 2008 roadmap which outlines all of the major projects to be implemented during the calendar year. The projects, once implemented will ensure that the system meets the reporting needs of the executive management, improves the data entry experience for the reporting units, simplifies the maintenance of the system, and provides for thorough system documentation to ensure maintainability of the system.