Contra Costa Water District

Challenge
CCWD wanted to analyze its existing environment to determine if its systems should be replaced or retained. Management was frustrated with the difficulty/inability to get information from the systems for management purposes. They felt that an integrated system, or at least systems on a consistent platform, would allow for better communication and efficiency.

Solutions
TMG gathered information through extensive CIS and ERP web-based surveys, conducted a current environment workshop, a target environment and strategy workshop, and a series of CIS and ERP functional workshops. A series of evaluation criteria were identified and a set of alternatives developed. It became obvious that the financial system must be replaced and it would be logical also to replace the CIS with an integrated system, or a “best of breed” system, on a consistent platform.

Results
TMG assisted Contra Costa with a joint CIS/ERP product evaluation and selection effort. The systems included: Customer Information System, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Budget, Fixed Assets, General Ledger, Human Resources, Inventory, Payroll, Project Accounting, Purchasing, Cash / Treasury Mgmt, and Work Management. Eleven solutions were proposed: six integrated solutions, three combination solutions (one ERM vendor teaming with one CIS vendor), and two CIS-only solutions. SunGard financial system emerged as the best ERM system and the District contracted with SunGard as the prime vendor to install the ERM system followed by the Advanced CIS system. Following the successful installation of the ERM, the District decided that its existing CIS need not be replaced, and it canceled the contract with Advanced Utility Systems.