Services    

Implementation Services

SicommNet is privileged to have the experience of providing our solution starting with the early adopters of the internet, “Software as a Service”, hosted, eProcurement technology. Our implementations include The State of Maine, and The State of Hawaii as well as our current clients: The State of Idaho, The City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, Hawaii -Department of Education and Jefferson Parish. Our customers operate in both stand-alone as well as integrated environments deploying decentralized through highly centralized procurement authorities.

Our implementation practice, combines the skills and knowledge of Certified Public Sector Procurement professionals with personnel who have industry experience in Change Management; Benchmarking; Best Practices Management; Certified Project Management and Financial Management System, (ERP) Implementation. This implementation team is supported by our technical resources with the experience to make required modifications to the eProcurement system as well as integrate with any Financial Management system (ERP).

To ensure a successful eProcurement implementation, consider the following:

  • Gain support from the executive level of the agency.
  • Involve key players – a full implementation involves the following departments as well as the user departments: Accounts Payable, Auditing, Finance, IT, Legal, Procurement, Receiving, and Security.
  • Avoid modifications. The system is configurable and capable of meeting the agency’s legislative requirements. Customizations are fine but code modification at the agency level should be avoided. Let the SicommNet implementation team work with you to set up the service to meet your needs.
  • Use Change Management concepts.
  • Map your current processes – Identify the steps and processes currently in place from requisition to authorization for payment. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your existing environment and create a needs document as the blueprint solution.
  • Communicate for understanding and buy-in.
  • Demonstrate early success. Produce Short-term wins.
  • Measure and celebrate long term success.
  • Engage your supplier base. SicommNet vendor engagement team will assist you in developing and implementing a plan to prepare your vendors for eProcurement but also make them aware of the benefits they will have from the SicommNet service.

    Implementation Process

    SicommNet assigns teams to each implementation as required to include the agency implementation, vendor engagement and system interface.

    The SicommNet team conducts a full Business Process Analysis to identify business process  so companies can remain efficient, streamline workflow and become more effective.  Our Agency Implementation Team has an understanding of government purchasing and the need to meet the statutory requirements associated with doing business in the public sector. This implementation team will work with the Agency System Administrators and decision makers to document the current business and workflow processes. This will ensure that the agency will incorporate “Best eProcurement Practices”. Once the agency’s processes have been identified, the Implementation Team will map processes with the eProcurement system. System Configuration and testing will be conducted by the Implementation Team Systems Administrator. The implementation team will implement a Train-the-Trainer model and deliver onsite training to the Systems Administrators and the Purchasing Buyers.

    The System Interface Team will define and document interface points, gather specifications and field requirements and request access to test systems for development and implementation activities. The Interface Team will also develop test case scenarios for each integration point and participate in the testing.

    The Vendor Engagement Team will work closely with each agency to assist in creating an electronic communication to be sent to agency vendors. This notification is intended to announce the agency’s intention to move into an electronic procurement system and direct vendors to register online. The notification will typically include a date when the agency expects to “go live” and begin notifying vendors electronically about new bidding opportunities available online. As vendors begin to register online, a local support presence can be made available to assist with initial registration questions. Once a vendor has established an electronic account, support is available via email or an 800 help line to answer any questions regarding the features and functionality of the new system. Each agency will be presented with the option of either limiting their opportunities to only those vendors who register specifically for their agency, or open up their opportunities to the universe of the SicommNet vendor base.

    Additional Implementation Services:

    Integration to FMS, ERP