Description of implementation stages

Before the start of any implementation, it is necessary to identify and formulate its basic aims.

As a criterion of a model built, one should ruthlessly accept the work efficiency of the whole firm because the businesses of individual groups of workers or sections are often conflicting.

An integrated computer system basically takes into account all financial and material cases and, therefore, its implementation will influence on majority of sections and work positions.

The methodology of RAPID implementation

In order to supply maximum satisfaction with the delivered solution to a user as well as an efficient implementation, we apply, created by us and checked in many projects, the RAPID methodology of implementation. Our ability to adapt our processes to the needs of the user reflects not only in the successfully finished implementations, but also in smooth passing on the knowledge to the workers of a customer.

The phases of implementation process are as follows:

• Analysis
• Designing
• Programming and Testing
• Starting
• Post-implementation care.

For every project a schedule and phases are planned separately. Bearing in mind, that the implemented product is the Microsoft Dynamics AX RAPID, the phase of Analysis and Projecting are often united in one stage to a quicker accomplishment of the project, the stage of programming and testing are shortened to an indispensable minimum.

Documentation of the project

To every implemented by AXACOM project its full documentation is created, which is prepared before the start of the stage of Analysis:

• A detailed schedule of implementation with a division on its all stages and tasks
• The Book of Project – the document that contains all specified aims of a project and all procedures of implementation, the documents of the project and organizational structure of the project (the parts of individual members of the Implementation Team, the Managers of the Project, the Steering Committee).

Analysis

In the phase of Analysis a detailed analysis of business processes of a customer and requirements is carried out in relation to a new solution. We share our spacious knowledge with a customer on a subject of possibility to accomplish business processes in the Microsoft Dynamics AX System and we listen to carefully what additional solutions the customer expects from the system.

The main steps in this phase are:

• The installation configured (finished to use) Microsoft Dynamics AX RAPID System at a Customer.
• Training of key users, carrying out the interviews and workshops with illustration of processes in the Microsoft Dynamics AX RAPID to verify in detail the existing solutions and to specify the requirements and preferences of a Customer.
• Collecting the stencils and files of indispensable data to import the standard data to the system.
• Preparation and verification of functional requirements.

Projecting

In the phase of Projecting we will design and present the future architecture of the system and the way of implementing at a Customer. The proposed project of the system will be delivered in a form of a Document of the Functional Project as well as the demonstration of the system. The proposal of implementation, including the budget and detailed schedule of further part of implementation will be presented to the Steering Committee on this stage. This proposal will be a detailed version of the earlier prepared plan of the project with regard to the changes agreed on the stage of verification of the project system. The customer has a possibility to verify the delivered document before going to further stages. The continuation depends on the acceptance of the Customer.

The main steps in this phase are:

• The sessions at the customer having as an aim a final, collective designing of the system.
• Creating by AXACOM a prototype of the interface user, screens and reports.
• Completing the plans referring to migrations of data from previous systems as well as an integration with different systems and devices.
• The preparation of plans of System Tests.
• The preparation and presentation of the Document of the functional project to the Implementation Team
• The preparation and presentation of the Proposal of Implementation to the Steering Committee of the Customer.
• The acceptance of The Document of the Functional Project as well as The Proposal of Implementation
• The preparation of the detailed project of the system and a version of the plan.

The Phase of Programming and Testing

In the phase of Programming and Testing AXACOM will introduce modifications to the Microsoft Dynamics AX. They will also be tested. If the introduced modifications are complex, the process of their preparation will be divided into several stages (versions). The customer will be engaged in testing of the delivered by AXACOM version only on the final stage. In the phase of Programming and Testing the Microsoft Dynamics AX will be installed and prepared at the Customer.

The main steps in this phase are:

• Programming Microsoft Dynamics AX - modifications to boards, forms, processes and interfaces
• Implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX at the Customer (setting the system processes after modifications)
• Preparation of mechanisms of data conversion Preparation of interfaces to different systems of the Customer
• Training and testing Tests of individual versions as well as the whole system.

Starting

In the phase of Starting the system is fully implemented at the Customer as well as the training of users is finished.

The main steps in this phase are:

• The preparation of final documentation for users (the modification of documents taking into account specific processes for the Customer).
• The end of setting the system.
• The introduction or migration of balances of opening.
• Training of users.
• Acceptation presentation of business processes.
• Starting (Go Live)

Post-implementation Care Phase

After starting the system and beginning of work AXACOM will be at the Customer's disposal to assure if the business aims were reached, the implemented functionalities are understood, and the users were trained properly.

From our experience it comes out, that together with gaining experience in the work with the system by the Customer, a lot of valuable ideas appear for later, better usage. In the phase of Post-Implementation Care we will try to identify possibilities to optimize and widen of already installed Microsoft Dynamics AX System so that it would make up the optimum solution for the Customer in a long period.