CASE STUDY

Industry: Capital Markets
Client: National Association of Securities Dealers
Service Offering: Work Management Integration

Purchasing Workflow
The NASD Purchasing Process Improvement Team was assembled in October 1996. The team developed the Corporate Purchasing – Workflow Analysis and Process Improvements Document. This team found that significant improvement to efficiencies and cost savings could be derived from developing a single purchasing software platform and automating the purchase requisitioning system.

NASD began utilizing a Peoplesoft system (for AP) and a PS Purchasing module. In addition, another initiative had been underway to streamline the purchase requisitioning process. Action Technologies’ Metro application has been utilized for this portion of the project. Metro will serve as the web-enabled user interface ("front end") to the purchase requisitioning process.

IES served as the work management systems integrator for the NASD. In this capacity IES facilitated sessions to identify new processes that supported the requisitioning process. Those processes were captured within the ActionWorks Metro Process Builder tool and subsequently converted to a working application. This business solution required the completed process requisition to be integrated with Peoplesoft Purchasing. IES architects used Oracle Web Manager and Java programming to integrate ActionWorks with Peoplesoft. This solution provided a seamless end-to-end transaction from initiation to request satisfaction. IES provided systems engineering support in the establishment of the environment and provided training for systems administrators and users.

Request Services Workflow
The administrative functions of purchase requisitions and travel requests were each identified as costly and unwieldy processes. This was clearly attributed to various business units executing the processes and the enormous amount of paper associated with the processes. NASD determined that workflow technology could provide the answer to address these challenges.

IES provided consulting support for the Workflow Pilot. Utilizing the Action Technologies Tool, Metro, IES automated the workflow process and provided project management and business analysis support.

IES also developed, unit tested, and implemented the web-based Metro workflow application for purchase requisitions and travel requests. Our work included conducting focused sessions with users and documenting their experiences. This was required in order to help management determine the viability of this type of technology. We also performed "proof of concept" and integrated Metro with Peoplesoft Purchasing. We subsequently upgraded the system to support 4000+ users and developed a security access system within Metro utilizing the NT logon security account.