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Project Management/Reengineering Tools

These are tools that will help with the basic steps of reengineering such as process mapping and data gathering. Also, general project management tools are included in this section that will help team’s organize and display their work. Many reengineering teams are moving toward web based applications since team members may be at different locations. Many of these tools are geared toward telecommuters or large team facilitation.

Framework Technology

http://www.frametech.com

Framework Technology’s ActiveProject 3.0 is a user friendly tool that allows team members to assemble, publish, and access detailed project information online via project collaboration web sites. AP contains both a Builder and a Server component. AP organizes graphics, text documents, CAD drawings, MS office documents, project schedules, photographs etc. using a folder tree hierarchy format for ease of viewing. The Builder component allows you to link graphics to other portions of the site using WYSIWYG technology (i.e. you do not have to know HTML). AP can be generated by permissions, and is compatible with most browsers (version 4.0 or higher making it suited for large projects and telecommuters. AP will run on Windows NT 4.0, 95, 98 and with Option Pack and uses MS Internet Information Server’s (IIS) site tree. The price of the Server with 10 collaborator licenses is $9995 and the Builder is $2995.

 

Technical Support for your Designs

http://www.serviceware.com

Knowledge-Pak by ServiceWare allows users to access technical support documents online. Microsoft (MS) and ServiceWare formed a joint venture to exchange knowledge and increase both of their online support databases with each other’s information. MS recently started a Web support programs for Internet Explorer Administration kit (IEAK) which allows support staff to customize, deploy, and manage IE. The support includes FAQ’s and access to technical assistance via email all for free. Generally in technical support one of the largest downfalls is a lack of information sharing in the industry. Since ServiceWare is teaming up with one of the top industry leaders this should be a widely accepted tool. This type of technical support will be useful for the implementation phase of reengineering and into the future.

 

Netmosphere Inc.

http://www.Netmosphere.com

Netmosphere has two interesting applications ActionPlan 3.0 and Project Home Page 1.0. ActionPlan is a project management system that facilitates team collaboration. ActionPlan concentrates on the dissemination and communication of information over the Internet or Intranet and has a large capacity, capable of supporting over 2,000 users. ActionPlan can be used for many diverse projects such as product development and deployment within IT organizations, service task tracking within professional services organizations, and programs within marketing. It contains a check off list to keep track of what needs to be done on projects to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

Project Home Page is a project control application for managers which allows them to view information on the Intranet such as the current status of all active projects, control web content by access tier level, and transfer data easily to ProjectPlan. Project Home Page provides three different levels of detail for both the viewing and publishing of information. Those three levels are management, team members, and partners or clients. These programs are all pre-formatted and do not require HTML knowledge to run them.

These two tools are easy to use but limited in scope so it depends on the type of project that you are doing and the scale of it. MS Project and the MS Word Assistant could be used to produce similar Intranet pages for a lower price but they may not be scalable for larger projects depending on the size of your company’s network. Except that these MS applications may not be able to automatically tier the information and the price savings would depend upon the presence of an existing Intranet site or not. Check out the free trial download available on the site in order to determine the appropriateness for your company. Price ranges from $10 to 25K for the server and approx. $1,000 for the Project Home Page Editor. It will run on Solaris and Windows NT.

 

MS Office 2000 (currently in beta)

http://microsoft.com

The next version of the MS Office suite will offer the ability to save MS Word documents direct to a URL address (web site address) if you have an internal Web server. Making Intranet updating a breeze in addition to having all of the standard MS Office products such as Excel, Project, Access etc. Reports from selected beta testers reveal that MS Office 2000 is easy and allows an Excel document to be saved in HTML format ready for publishing simply by clicking save as Web Page. This feature will allow Word and non-Word users to view and share documents, its real significance may be the continued blurring of the difference between stand-alone desktop applications and suite versions. This version has great communications functions that can be used to facilitate teamwork. It also has a good installation wizard with custom features and repair functionality capable of repairing files. If your project is not going to begin right away and you need simple Intranet document posting as well as an upgraded general office suite it may be worth it to wait for MS Office 2000 to hit the shelves. Not yet priced. It will run on Windows 95/98/NT. Some beta testers have reported that Office 2000 beta runs better on Windows 95 rather than Windows 98.

 

OSD C3I (IM) - TurboBPR 2.5

http://www.dtic.mil/c3i/bprcd/3007.htm

TurboBPR 2.5 is a Windows based business process reengineering support tool developed by OSD C3I (IM) in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DoD). TurboBPR helps you respond to BPR, GPRA, FEA and business planning requirements by: capturing the essential elements of strategic planning, operations analysis, and project evaluation. You start by entering your mission and strategic vision, then building a tree structure linking goals, performance measures, and strategies. It then moves on to an Operations analysis where it maps products/services to activities, computes non-value added costs and unit costs, compares cost and performance of alternatives. This software is available by download from the site or by disk. If you cannot view this site listed above then it is also available from the Library at the Electronic College of Process Innovation at http://www.dtic.mil/c3i/bprcd/index.htm under library’s BBR training page or you can use the search function on that page.

 

Manugistics

http://www.manugistics.com/USMB/index.html

Manugistics is a supply chain software vendor that improves supply acquisition from raw materials or parts through manufacturing and ending with the final product being delivered to the customer. Global manufacturers have working relationships with their customers, suppliers, and subsidiaries, which demand real-time decision-making and access to information. The Customer-Centric Supply Chain Optimization program provides dynamic solutions to the problems created by changes in customer needs and the supply environment. At this site you can visit the Client Results area to review case studies and return on investment data. In the Solutions Section you can read about the supply chain architecture.

 

Ultimus

http://www.ultimus1.com

The Ultimus Web Server transforms the Ultimus Workflow (software suite) that provides a powerful, graphical interface for developing and implementing web-based workflow applications for the Internet and Intranet. The suite is a powerful development, implementation, and maintenance tool. When a workflow application is installed via the Ultimus Administrator, it becomes an Internet/Intranet application that ties team members together in a workflow process. Also, this product concentrates more on the beginning steps of reengineering such as what the customer wants and developing a streamlined system to get that to them. Ultimus works with some of the more common office products but not the latest versions so that could mean a lot of retyping unless you can save a particular document as just text or a lower version. The site also has a very well worded FAQ section that covers most common technical questions. The White Pages section also has a good technical dictionary. It does concentrate mainly on computer terms but they may be ones that you have seen in other sites, which may help you compare similar products. There are also a few other articles and case studies available online as well.

 

Ventana

http://www.ventana.com

Ventana is a team-based decision software tool for the first stages of reengineering. The program has five main elements a Categorizer (idea sorter), electronic Brainstormer (generates brainstorming questions), group outliner (helps structure notes), Topic Commenter (comments on lists of topics and organizes them, and a Vote Counter (helps the decision making process). They seem like a good group of products but they may not really be that great a value if dollars are tight. A good note taker and question list could probably do the same job and save you money. Dollars may be better spent on a more technical piece of equipment or a consultant later in the project. However, if your problem is in just getting ideas out on the table and keeping track of them then check this site out.

 

Scitor

http://www.scitor.com

Scitor produces project scheduling and communication software as well as offers training and consulting services. Their program consists of three separate software programs that work together or can be used as components with MS Office 97 products. Flexibility is good when you know that a particular aspect of a reengineering project will be difficult but you do not want to risk the expense of an entire office suite application. The names of the software components are Project Scheduler, Project Communicator, and Project 98, all of which run on Windows 95 and NT. Together these three perform process simulation, analysis and design, improve critical business/manufacturing processes, electronically collect actual hours worked and estimates from teams. These type of programs help project managers evaluate, approve, track and reallocate work assignments better and faster. Call or download a free trial version from their site.

 

Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. (KBSI)

http://www.kbsi.com/

Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. (KBSI) produces office tools for process modeling and cost analysis. KBSI products can be used either as stand-alone tools or as part of a suite. Knowledge based models are built to conform to existing industry standards. This site includes a demonstration and a test copy is available by download. These products seem to integrate some common MS Office Suite functionality. Unless your company is starting from scratch as far as having a computer suite you can probably customize the MS Office Professional Suite to accomplish these same tasks. This site may be helpful in demonstrating how you can use these common office applications to aid in reengineering.

 

Enterprise Engineering Program

http://arriwww.uta.edu/eif/

The Enterprise Engineering Program's mission is to research, develop and deploy methods, philosophies, and tools for the implementation of the integrated reengineering suite of tools. This site is more of sales than an information site. Enterprise distributes a product similar to many of the other suites described in this section.

 

IDS Prof. Scheer

http://www.eds-scheer.com

IDS Prof. Scheer produces the ARIS-Toolset that provides user-friendly tools for remodeling, analysis and navigation of business processes. This site is more geared toward selling their services. It does contain a lot of information of SAP and other commercial systems so if your company uses them or is thinking about using them it may be your worth wild to check it out.

 

Gensym Corporation

http://gensym.com

Gensym Corporation is a supplier of software and services for intelligent systems that help organizations manage and optimize complex dynamic processes. Gensym Corporation is a leading supplier of software and services for intelligent operations management. Common applications include quality management, process optimization, dynamic scheduling, network management, energy and environmental management, and process modeling and simulation. This is a sales site only. Gensym Corp. distributes a product similar to many of the other suites described in this section.  

 

FirstStep

http://www.interfacing.com

FirstStep produces business and process modeling tools. They sell software that helps visualize, analyze, and prototype reengineering projects. If you are looking for a product that performs specific reengineering functions and analysis but isn’t incorporated into an office suite you may find this site of help.

 

Meta Software Corporation

http://www.metasoftware.com

Meta Software Corporation produces the WorkFlow Analyzer for business process modeling, simulation, analysis and workflow system generation. They concentrate on a single product the WorkFlow Analyzer and do not have much else to offer beyond that product. They did not mention anything about compatibility with other office suite products so it is hard to say if it would work well integrated into a larger software solution.

 

Proforma

http://www.proformacorp.com

Proforma is the producer of ProVision Workbench (PVW), winner of Object World's "Best New OT Product" award. This software includes an interaction model, hierarchy model, subtype model, business model, lifecycle model, and a business object interaction model. It is a single stand-alone product with attractive looking screens.

 

Promodel

http://www.processmodel.com

Promodel produces process modeling and simulation tools. A free trial CD program is available from the site. This page is very slow in loading so be patient if you want to check it out.

 

Sterling Software

http://www.sterling.com

Sterling Software produces a BPR modeling tool that is fully integrated with information engineering, government or object oriented modeling. Descriptions of products were a bit confusing and not straightforward, this is not the most user friendly of sites.