Case Studies: Utilities

The Modis Solution: Deliver best consultants to fill needs at multiple business units

Modis International has been serving the client’s business units since 1991, starting with our selection as a preferred supplier of information technology contractors to the firm’s natural gas division. We have maintained our status through multiple supplier evaluations and are now one of five preferred suppliers the firm uses for IT staffing services and solutions.

Modis provides consultants and services through a Central Resource Unit in Staines, United Kingdom, covering a number of the client’s operations. The client also selected Modis to assist in the planning and implementation of a contractor migration program from all non-preferred suppliers. We also assisted the client with the development and implementation of a standardized rate card for all consultants.

Consultants we have supplied to the client covered a wide range of skill sets, including: Systems Analysts, Application Support Analysts, Data Integrity Analysts, Operations Analysts, PC & Desktop Support, Project Managers, Configuration Managers, Change & Transition Planning Managers, System & Regression Testers, Database Administrators, SAP, Oracle, Unix, Visual Basic, and Tuxedo Administration.

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The Modis Solution: Support data center move from two locations to corporate offices

This client planned to move its data centers from two locations to its Michigan headquarters.

Modis provided technical professionals in multiple skill sets to assist with this data center move. Modis delivered an infrastructure project manager, technical support professionals, technical writers and client-server programmer analysts to complete this project.

The project was very successful; as a result, the client hired our project manager. Modis also earned approved vendor status for future work for the client. We have since expanded our efforts in providing additional IT Staffing Professionals in other departments of the company.

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The Modis Solution: Provide customized training solution for PeopleSoft roll out

This client was implementing PeopleSoft HRIS, a new HRIS system designed to promote self-service of personal data by employees and transition human resources responsibility from a centralized department down to individual managers.

Consulting Partners, the training and documentation arm of Modis, developed a four-hour interactive computer-based training program for new users of Mobil’s system. The course provided students with an interactive simulation of all major PeopleSoft features. In addition to the original course, Consulting Partners provided the following development and training services:

• Developed online reference and panel Help, field-level Help, and a quick reference manual supporting a customized PeopleSoft Human Resources (HR) application.
• Developed web design look for online reference in Folio Views, including links and queries with a graphical interface.
• Incorporated Mobil human resources policies and procedures and PeopleSoft steps.
• Used Help Designer in PeopleSoft to develop field-level Help.
• Designed reference card layout to include process and corresponding procedures on facing pages.
• Set up database to track links for maintenance.
• Developed a 12 minute internal marketing video. We were responsible for script, content research selection of two professional on-screen talents, computer graphics production, and direction of the video shoot.
• Managed production schedule and supervised subcontractors responsible for non-linear editing and duplication of the video.

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The Modis Solution: Deliver consultants to assist with key SAP upgrade, module install

The client relies on numerous SAP modules to streamline the utility’s operations and needed consultants to assist with upgrades. Projects included upgrading the current SAP R/3 application in place, and implementing the SAP Plant Management Module.

Modis delivered consultants to assist with the SAP upgrade, PM module implementation as well as another project to integrate independence 3.1H PM Module to 4.6C HQ SAP System. The new system emphasizes high data-volume processing and performance.

Other services our consultants performed for the client include:

• Analyzing, scoping and developing data extraction programs for PM Module data (version 3.1H).
• Analyzing, scoping and developing data conversion programs for PM Module data (version 4.6C).
• Analyzing, scoping and developing data extraction & conversion programs for PG&E Bankruptcy Chapter 11 corporate reorganization into separate subsidiaries.
• Developing PG&E customized Transaction and Dialog Programs.
• Developing new reports, interface, extract and conversion programs for PM Module.
• Enhancing and developing SAPSCRIPT.
• Transporting Classes and Characteristics via ALE.
• Troubleshooting SAP R/3 system bugs and applied OSS patches.
• Performance Tuning to improve runtime of batch programs.
• Assisting in PM Module configuration.

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The Modis Solution: Deliver consultants to assist with key SAP upgrade, module install

This utility company uses a helpdesk group of approximately six technicians to support their operations. They company required helpdesk personnel who are familiar with the specialized software and systems in place at their facilities used to manage utility operations.

In order to deliver the best-qualified consultants, Modis offered to test the company’s existing helpdesk staff to set benchmarks for the positions desired. Each employee subject matter expert took a technical skill test from our ReviewNet Internet-based testing tool. After evaluating those results, Modis was able to offer candidates with the right skill levels to complete the company’s existing helpdesk team.

ReviewNet offers more than 300 IT assessments covering the leading technologies in the industry today. Our tools help our clients in all aspects of IT recruitment. ReviewNet offers solutions to assist you with defining jobs and analyzing needs to screening candidates, interviewing, testing, identifying training needs, and analyzing the skills and training of internal staff.

Our first helpdesk consultant has been in place for more than one year, and Modis has earned the opportunity to offer candidates for future positions.

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The Modis Solution: Assisting Public Service division with SAP implementation

San Antonio’s City Public Service division hired Modis to provide project management and general SAP consultants for two major SAP implementations.

Modis project managers directed the SAP/Business Information Warehouse sizing effort for CPS. Our duties for this two-year project included:

• Coordinating vendor meetings and facilitated technical presentations on behalf of CPS.
• Drafting the SAP infrastructure request for proposal, later evaluated responses
• Providing guidance in designing the performance and recoverability features for the multi-terabyte CPS SAP/BW production instances.
• Designing transport management procedures and managed transport importation.
• Managing initial Basis Team and guided all SAP R/3 and BW software installations.
• Managing installation of the CCS and FERC Industry Solutions.
• Managing the installation and upgrade of the SAP BW package.
• Designing initial authorizations configuration for SAP and BW project teams.
• Rolling out SAPGUI to more than 1,800 CPS users.
• Installing Internet transaction server components.
• Designing and held a series of technical presentations for the CPS user community.
• Coordinating initial database management, administration tasks on database servers.
• Managing Support Package application process for entire BW and SAP landscape, including Conflict Resolution Transports for the IS-U/CCS Add-On.
• Managing initial SAP and OSS User ID administration tasks for entire project team as well as Backup and Recovery operations.
• Assisting in the process of upgrading IS-U/CCS.

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