CGI implements solution to help Bell manage 11 million plug-ins

“The CGI and Bell teams worked together seamlessly, and the new system has provided us with the next generation of technology in terms of managing our asset base for plug-ins.”

Mark Strachan, Director, Supply Chain Business Systems, Bell Canada

The Client
Bell Canada is Canada's largest supplier of telecommunications services. With one of the world’s most robust and reliable public switched networks, Bell Canada provides advanced voice, data and image communications to millions of business and residence customers across Canada. Bell’s Supply Chain Management group provides operational, system and process reengineering support to the many business units within Bell.

The Challenge
Plug-ins are computer cards that help Bell establish connectivity between lines when its customers communicate using its systems. Because these cards are moved, upgraded and manipulated, they are known as deferrable assets. Non-deferrable assets refer to the other components of the network that do not move as often, such as the units hosting these plug-ins. From the moment they are purchased, these assets move first to the warehouse and then to a control center prior to being deployed in the field. Should they become obsolete or defective, the route is reversed.

Bell was seeking to replace its aging plug-in and asset management system with one that offered enhanced management and visibility capabilities. Essentially, the company wanted to be able to track any given plug-in at all times.

CGI was asked to take over the project management because of the sheer magnitude of the challenge. Millions of deferrable plug-in equipment records would need to be converted from the old system to the new. Moreover, this crucial new solution would need to start up at the same moment the old system was decommissioned, so the transfer would need to be seamless and virtually flawless. A single error risked affecting thousands of Bell customers. The size of the project also necessitated a large project team, made up of representatives from CGI, Bell and their supplier companies. With 30 – 50 team members, tight project management was a must.

The Strategy
CGI recommended that Bell build on its existing SAP technology. CGI’s extensive expertise in all facets of SAP technology would prove a real asset to the project.

CGI was responsible for the development and deployment of the solution as well as the project scheduling, budget management, resourcing and design workshops.

CGI developed its close relationship with Bell Canada’s upper management team to deal with budget, resource and any other key issues, and held regular weekly meetings with team members to ensure the project was well communicated to all.

For the technical conversion, strong resources were called in who broke the project down into manageable components. The millions of assets were serialized to allow them to be managed from the moment of their purchase to their installation and eventual decommissioning.

To ensure that the new system would work as it should right from the go-live, no less than four test cycles were run to check and double check every facet of the solution.

“Significant integration, programming, risk and change management challenges encountered in implementing the SAP based solution could only be overcome by a fully integrated Bell and CGI team with extensive technical and plug-in management knowledge,” explained Ion Drumea, General Manager, Supply Chain Systems, Bell Canada.

“CGI was willing to step in and find a solution for us when we had difficulties moving the project forward,” stated Mark Strachan, Bell Canada’s Director, Supply Chain Business Systems. “The CGI team also pulled out all the stops to support the go-live and beyond. They brought in SAP and HP experts to conduct performance monitoring and help fine tune the system during the high-volume year end period.”

The Technology

• Bell R/3 SAP environment
• SAP Material Management
• SAP Plant Maintenance
• Customized SAP Technician Interface
• Customized SAP backend processes
• Integration with Bell plug-in order process

The Results
The start up of this major new system was virtually problem free. Today, Bell Canada has end-to-end visibility of its entire plug-in asset inventory and has ample capacity to grow. The company has gained efficiency, with $50 million in savings being projected over a three-year period, as a result of improved utilization of stock. A further $1.3 million capital reduction has been realized in deferrable plug-ins. Maintenance and spare optimization for 2003 was estimated at $7.7 million.

“The CGI and Bell team worked together seamlessly,” added Mr. Strachan, “and the new system has provided us with the next generation of technology in terms of managing our asset base for plug-ins.”

“CGI is not only a partner that knows the Bell Supply Chain systems infrastructure inside out, it also understands the integration and change management requirements and is developing solutions based on industry standards and not on proprietary, excessive customization or niche technologies,” concluded Mr. Drumea. “It can do this thanks to its pool of skilled resources in project management, solution architecture, programming and support who do not hesitate to go the extra mile to find the right solution.”