Escaping Excel Hell – Processes Desperately Seeking Automation (Update)

Are your systems trying to pull your business apart, or are they pushing in the same direction?

A month ago I wrote an article entitled "Escaping Excel Hell – Processes Desperately Seeking Automation". This talked about business analysts not having the time to analyse and add value to the business, as they tend to have to spend too much as "Excel jockeys".

There is also the matter of inefficient and error-prone processes run in Excel that cannot grow with the business and ought to be replaced. Here's a couple of examples from our case studies that illustrate typical problems, and the gains that can be made:

(1) Implementation of Back-to-Back Order Processing System

Client:
FD of £10m corporate subsidiary

Issue:
Order processing system had been commissioned to replace spreadsheets, but needed to be implemented

Solution:
Project-managed the implementation of the system to go live on the required date, despite considerable unexpected issues.

Benefits:
System was able to support growth to over £100m over the 5-year period Camwells was involved, including:

• Business merger
• Setting up a new division
• Business process review
• A report that produced supplier rebates of £600,000 p.a., straight to the bottom line to improve cash flow and double profits
  

(2) "Spec and select" for new order processing system

Client:
Group FD of £30m quoted IT company

Issue:
Spreadsheet-based order processing system was close to collapse, and staff were threatening to resign.

Solution:
Compiled a "User Requirements Specification" to capture current and expected needs. Assessed packaged software and the feasibility of custom-written options.

Benefits:
Company commissioned a system that ran so well that, when the business was acquired, the system was used for the combined business. The FD and his staff retained their jobs when others lost theirs.


(3) Replacing Budgeting, Forecasting and Reporting System

Client:
Group FD of £250m quoted company

Issue:

The business was changing from products to add more services and projects. The budgeting and monthly reporting spreadsheet system had become unwieldy, unreliable and was not providing the drill-down analysis required.

Solution:
Compiled a "User Requirements Specification" to capture current and future needs. Advised on alternative approaches to accounting and reporting on services and projects, and potential systems.

Benefits:
New forecasting and reporting tool selected to provide what the business now required.


If you'd like to discuss these examples (subject to client confidentiality) or discuss your own situation without charge or obligation, do contact me on +44(0)1628 632914 or by email to challisc @ camwells.co.uk (please remove blanks first)

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