For a leading lodging industry client, GDI provided post-implementation support and error resolution for PeopleSoft, resulting in million-dollar savings.
The Challenge
Client Background
The client is a frontline hotel chain with a global presence. It has 2,900 lodging properties located in the United States and throughout 67 other countries.
Project Objective:
The client had previously implemented PeopleSoft Supply Chain and Financial Modules. PeopleSoft was selected to regulate and streamline financial functions with an emphasis on factual accuracy. The system is used by 100 core users across technical and financial teams and is also accessible to other employees, as well as customers, to make hotel bookings.
GDI was engaged to provide the post-implementation support and error resolution for PeopleSoft SCM. GDI was also engaged for another project to upgrade PeopleSoft GL to 8.4.
The Solution
Technology Employed
PeopleSoft 8.4 SCM, GL, AP, AR, AM, PeopleSoft 7.0 GL
Project Details:
The initial PeopleSoft implementation had resulted in data inconsistencies due to a variety of factors. GDI was engaged to resolve these issues. Our solution included re-testing programs prior to implementation in the production environment and also implementing resolutions for identified errors during conversion. Our consultants developeddocumentation to support ad hoc SQL updates of data. Our team also managed the tracking and processing of pending payments and certificates that needed to be reimbursed. Finally, the client team and end-users required training in the technical and functional modularity of systems.
Key responsibilities:
- GDI consultants had complete responsibility for identifying and correcting errors; this entailed retesting of programs, resolution of errors, preparation of documentation for data updates and imparting training to users.
- Our team mentored and trained users on the correct process for entering financial data for invoice processing.
- Our GDI consultant developed documentation for SQL updates. This resulted in better usability and a more uniform method for managing this mission-critical information.
- GDI consultants mentored and assisted system users in posting correct journal entries.
- Our team streamlined processing of pending reimbursements.
The Results
The proper implementation of PeopleSoft resulted in significant improvements in the company’s regulation of financial processes. This was instrumental in achieving the CIO Grand Enterprise Value Award. In the end, the GDI team played a major role in:
- Identifying all incorrect data generated from the conversion process and from previous data updates
- Correcting all journals out of balance
- Correcting all the pending invoices
- Identifying over 25,000 pending reimbursements that resulted in a savings of $3,000,000
- Correcting erroneous sales summarization reports (approximately $16,000,000 variation) that had resulted in incorrect bonuses being paid to employees.