Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) is now online with the integration of a comprehensive Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains ERP system, implemented by Datacentrix.
JCP, a Public Benefit organisation incorporated in 2001 by the Metropolitan Municipality of Johannesburg, uses Great Plains as its core financial and line of business system to manage parks, public open spaces, cemeteries and crematoria, and also to maintain street trees and its internal equipment.
The Datacentrix Microsoft Great Plains system is commissioned to ensure JCP can manage its finances in such a way that it will ensure the city's service delivery mandate within allocated budget. The JCP manages a budget in excess of R300 million per annum.
Says Karl van Eck, CFO at JCP and executive sponsor of the project: "The new Great Plains ERP system replaced and integrated inherently disparate software systems, combating the issues of manual-intensive financial tracking processes that JCP was experiencing. These processes are now supported by a full ERP system, deployed within 10 months by Datacentrix.
"While the old systems focused more on the financial side, the new Great Plains software integrates this with the operational aspect. The solution proposed by Datacentrix certainly best suited our needs and we will start seeing the real benefit from an operational perspective within the next two to three years."
According to Phokeng Mohatlane, Account Director at Datacentrix, a significant factor in the new solution's speedy implementation was the extensive experience Datacentrix has with Great Plains implementations, as well as the commitment demonstrated by JCP to the project. "The contract was awarded to Datacentrix, having fulfilled the various tender criteria that included its black economic empowerment status.
"The system uses the Field Services module to effectively schedule routine preventative maintenance on parks etc, as well as manage service calls on the servicing of JCP's own equipment," she adds. "Over 50 JCP staff members interact with the Great Plains system to maintain our parks and make the city a better place to live in."
Source:itweb.co.za
