Industry
IT/Technology
Product
TimeBill
Benefits
Southern Cross Computing is a large Information Technology consulting firm based in Canberra, Australia. The company deals mostly with federal government agencies within Australia, resulting in large annual contracts that require extensive amounts of data collection and reporting.
Challenge
The Challenge
In 2008, SCC obtained a new contract that required exceptionally detailed project-management reports on a monthly basis. As head of the IT company, Paul McDonald initially hoped to develop a sufficient project data recording system internally. Upon analyzing the situation, however, McDonald decided to look for an external solution instead.
“[O]ur existing systems could not deliver the reporting that our agreement with the client required. ”
Solution
The Solution
“We went down this path because our existing systems could not deliver the reporting that our agreement with the client required,” said McDonald. “We evaluated a few well-regarded timesheet systems. It became fairly apparent that Replicon had the reputation as a good, solid product, and in trialing it, it showed us that it had the flexibility that we required to achieve what our clients demanded.”
Impressed with its customizable user fields and helpful support team, McDonald chose Replicon over another top industry competitor. “We made the decision to go with Replicon within a week of initiating our evaluation. And we’ve been proven right. It really has been a good choice of product for what we had to do.”
Implemented in Hours, Not Days
SCC was able to implement Replicon Web TimeSheet Project & Billing solution in a matter of hours. McDonald also took advantage of the software’s easy-to-follow online training system, where many of his questions regarding setup were answered. When he couldn’t find what he needed online, Replicon support personnel provided the help he needed. “Each time, they answered quite well and certainly to my satisfaction,” he said.
Flexible and Customizable Solutions
The ability to tailor data for its clients’ needs was critical to SCC. That involved integrating Replicon’s software with its own systems to create detailed, customized reports.
“The functionality required is delivered through both the combination of Replicon Web TimeSheet and our own internal financial and contract-management system,” McDonald explained. “That was one of the real key things for us when selecting Replicon. It gives us a point of reconciliation between those two systems. It’s been a good cross-check for us.”
Detailed Reporting in a Fraction of the Time
Replicon Web TimeSheet project tracking software saves the SCC team days of effort when running its monthly reports. Whereas a manual compilation of the data took full two days, the team now produces the same reports in just two hours.
“As it happens, we’ve got the consultants who keep their timesheets up to date, and so we can actually turn around these reports at the end of each month very quickly,” McDonald said. “And I think we’ve won quite a few brownie points by being able to get these reports on the desks of the client managers as quickly as we have.”
Exceptional Support
In addition to the valuable time saved, McDonald is pleased with the support he gets. His technical background makes him especially appreciate Replicon’s commitment to customer service.
“I like software programs that work; I like software that is configurable, and easy to use. And I think Replicon is all of those three things. I’ve also been very happy with the support I’ve received.” In fact, he’s been so impressed with the experience, that he’s now looking to implement Replicon Web TimeSheet Time & Attendance edition for his permanent staff.
Replicon’s outstanding support and flexible features have proven invaluable for SCC. As a result, McDonald plans to continue integrating Replicon’s services in managing the company and its future projects.
“Overall I have been very happy with my experience with Replicon, with the software and the products that Replicon produces, and with the company itself. I have trouble finding something to be critical about. It’s been very useful to us, and I think there’s certainly a good chance to make it even more valuable for us in the future.”
“I like software programs that work; I like software that is configurable, and easy to use. And I think Replicon is all of those three things. I’ve also been very happy with the support I’ve received. ”
The Results
- Saved days of productivity running each report
- Manual compilation of data went from two full days to two hours
- Provided real reconciliation between Replicon and internal systems, allowing for cross-checks
Overall I have been very happy with my experience with Replicon, with the software and the products that Replicon produces, and with the company itself. It’s been very useful to us, and I think there’s certainly a good chance to make it even more valuable for us in the future.
Paul McDonald
Managing Director Southern Cross Computing