MS Dynamics AX2012 Global implementation – under new management• CommunityNetwork(CN)specialisesintheprovisionofdigitalsignage/advertisingtobusinessesofallsizesacrosstheglobe.Deliveringhighqualityadvertisingusingthelatesttechnologiesatanaffordablecost,CommunityNetworkarecontinuallyrollingtheirinnovativeadvertisingmediumacrosstheworld.Formoreinformation,visit:www.cnetwork.tv

• c-DynamicApproach(c-DA)isaleadingprovideroftechnologysolutionsandservicestobusinessesaroundtheglobe.Believingincollaboration,c-DAoffersawiderangeofservicesrelatingtoMicrosoftDynamicsAXandtheprofessionalservicesrequiredtoimplementsuchasolution.c-DAisalsoresponsiblefordeliveringProjectResourceManagement.Pleasevisit:www.c-da.comforafurtherinsight.

In the digital advertising space, to compete and stay ahead of ahead of the competition, Community Network’s has little room for error. Working at over 3000 global sites, Community Network offers international advertising with local insight.

Community Network offers a portfolio of solutions to advertisers ensuring their campaigns stay fresh, sharp and are highly visible to their target audiences. Already the UK’s largest point of purchase digital advertising in the UK, they list the Post Office, medical centres, dental practices and some of the most well know fast food companies in the world. In a crowded, competitive global landscape, Community Network are acutely aware that they need to distinguish themselves from their competitors making full use of advances in business process & technology solutions.

TrueglobalimplementationofAXbyTheCommunityNetwork

In 2013, CN made the business decision to increase their global footprint, seeing the need to invest in software to enhance client expectations and to increase revenues. A substantial investment was made across various locations to include Australia, the UK, Canada, Ireland and the US.

Microsoft Dynamics AX was selected as the approved solution given the needs of the business at the present time and forecasting the future. Based on its flexibility as a bespoke solution AX was chosen based on its ability to be manipulated to the needs of each respective gap in the business’ process. With the rollout in Australia set up as the company’s global template, the UK, Canada & Ireland would follow.

Scopeandpressingon

During the implementation in Brisbane a decision was made based on the progress of the Project. Scope Creep was quickly becoming an issue and the project milestones were falling behind.

A decision by the board at CN was made. The current PM was reassigned to another project, and the business appointed Paul Dennis as Project Manager. Given the urgency in both time and cost of the implementation, there was no period of “bedding in”. This required Paul and his young family relocating to Brisbane, albeit temporarily.

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“Working with a solution architect, functional consultant and a team of developers, so began a period of intense 20 hour days. With the ultimate plan of a multi-country ERP implementation, the conscious plan at CN was to provide a global template that could be rolled out (subject to certain parameter changes) to other countries as required.

An agile methodology was applied, GAP Fit analysis implemented and an understanding of how the development team were working together were absolute essentials. Moreover, as head of the project, Paul had to understand the cultural fit and communication within the team to ensure there were no detrimental effects on their overall performance. Paul and his team had to quickly reaffirm the trust of the client. This meant nothing but regular communication and constant progress reports.

Areas identified by the CN Senior Management Team & Paul included:

• ScopeCreep• BusinessProcess• GapFitAnalysis• Development• Testing

Paul Dennis, Managing Director of c-DA, commented: “Having worked with Community Network prior to taking the role of project manager I already knew the importance of the implementation and the investment made on their part. Following my visit to their offices in Brisbane both myself and their senior management team were tasked with managing expectations internally and setting the project timescales back on track. Managing a small team consisting of one Solution Architect, a Functional Consultant and several developers (onsite and remote) the team had to be “on their game” and ready to work the hours to get the project back on track. I had to understand the process and measure improvements and, more importantly, I had to get the team to exceed expectations.”

Following the initial AX implementation, the work was completed by Paul and his team, CN commented: “Paul had a real impact on the project. We made a sizeable financial commitment to AX, but with indifference, we were considering reverting back to a traditional CRM solution, thankfully this is no longer the case. Paul has since spent time at our UK offices and ensured our SME’s receive full training to ensure our continuing expansion. Things are looking good for Community Network.”

Steve Corsbie, Operations Director for CN went further:

Paul’s diligence and clear understanding of project management together with the application of AX, paid dividends. A certain degree of fire-fighting was definitely required and Paul helped us manage this. As a result, our internal processes are most definitely improved. Having confidence in the system, the process and the training has had a tremendous impact on our views moving forward.