You know how you want your Microsoft Dynamics AX implementation project to end—on time, on budget, and with results exceeding expectations. Without a solid implementation process, what you may get instead, are false starts, unclear objectives, and lost time and money.

Consider these questions:

• Do you have a clear idea of what must be done, by whom, and when?
• Does everyone involved agree and commit to your plan?
• Are the project scope and timeframe in balance with the IT support, departmental staffing and financial constraints of the project?

Let us help:

• Identify the project objectives as seen by those who funded the project.
• Define the criteria for project success so that everyone is clear on the measurement from the start.
• Clarify each participant's role and responsibilities up front and get their commitment.
• Identify areas of risk and develop ways to mitigate those risks.
• Identify the project's constraints, assumptions, and issues so that they can be dealt with and monitored.

Experience:

Experience has shown mcaConnect that implementation shortcuts increase the risk of long and costly software implementations, sometimes ending with poor results. In several cases, full re-implementations have been required to receive the full benefits of the software.

mcaConnect Implementation Services:

1. Project Management and Structure
The key to a successful project is effective project management. mcaConnect’s implementation methodology suggests a project director and project manager for every implementation from both your company and mcaConnect. In addition, we recommend monthly steering committee meetings and weekly meetings for the project team.

2. Project Planning
The initial project phase is to develop a project plan. Critical resources, time frames, and capital investments will be detailed in this initial phase.

• The deliverables include:
• Documented Project Goals and Objectives
• Detailed Project Organization Chart
• High Level Project Plan (Gantt Chart)
• Detailed Task Plan through the Initial Phase

3. Microsoft Dynamics AX Classroom Education
We recommend educating your project team on the latest capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX. The education can be on-site or at mcaConnect facilities across the country. mcaConnect provides the materials and instructors to conduct the courses.

4. Business Model Simulation
Requirement analysis is the process for determining how your company will use the Microsoft Dynamics AX software. The Business Model Simulation is the major event during requirement analysis. The Business Model Simulation involves hands-on experience using a subset of data to simulate your actual environment. During the Business Model Simulation, procedural changes are identified. mcaConnect is typically quite involved in the project during the Business Model Simulation. Many issues you will identify will be familiar to mcaConnect personnel from prior implementations, and we can recommend alternative solutions to address these issues. The formal process of documenting procedural issues lays the groundwork for the remainder of the project. If there are software features requested outside of the base Microsoft Dynamics AX functionality, these will also be identified during the Business Model Simulation.

5. mcaConnect Technical and Programming Services
The overall philosophy guiding a Business Model Simulation is to use the base software package as much as possible. Modifications to the base software should be a last resort and then only if:

· the function is critical to your company, or
· there is clear financial justification to add the function and
· no other way can be found to provide the function within Microsoft Dynamics AX

Where modifications are needed, either existing programs will be migrated, or a new program will be written. Either way, a financial justification will be done to determine whether the requested feature is a "must have" or a "nice to have". It is during the Business Model Simulation that the required modifications and actual scope of effort is identified and is quoted independently. Staffing can range from using all your company technical resources to using all mcaConnect resources to a blend of both.

6. System Testing
The completed components of the new system are tested together. By applying a controlled test, the functionality and integrity of the system is examined under all conditions. System testing will continue until all system issues have been resolved.

7. User Documentation and Training
Time and funding for documentation and user training is estimated based on the specific needs of your company, which is determined in the Business Model Simulation.

8. Cut-Over Planning and Support
The culmination of a successful project is the development and execution of the cutover plan. Any problems with the live cut-over are identified and eliminated due to the presence of the your companies’ MIS staff and mcaConnect’s personnel on-site.

mcaConnect Professional Services.pdf