With the advances in collaborative technologies, it was envisaged that a central ‘dashboard’ application, to easily access up-to-date expense data against budget, to manage the funding requests and their approvals and store key project files, could be built.

Outcome

Open Box proposed that the solution should be a browser-based application that would be aligned with other applications that are currently in use at the client site. The application acts as a central point of reference for data on the projects.

Business Case

Boston Properties is a developer and builder of large, Class A office buildings and had been using a legacy application to store project related profile information such as cost/return spreadsheet models and critical dates. With the advances in collaborative technologies, it was envisaged that a central ‘dashboard’ application, to easily access up-to-date expense data against budget, to manage the funding requests and their approvals and store key project files, could be built

Solution

Open Box proposed that the solution should be a browser-based application that would be aligned with other applications that are currently in use at the client site. The application acts as a central point of reference for data on the projects. Funding approvals are maintained through the system ensuring rigorous control around expenditure. Microsoft SharePoint documentation stores are accessible directly through the application. Funding approvals and current expenditure are synchronized with the financial book of record, Oracle’s JD Edwards EnterpriseOne. The application also allows the ability to budget for income to be generated through the project, and maintain an approved copy of this.

Project

The project lifecycle included managing the scope, business process revision, development and implementation.

• Man-days =  200 days
• Duration =    4 calendar months

The project was implemented into production following user acceptance testing and is currently operational.

Benefits

• Integration of key systems and databases.
• Workflow mechanics for project approval.
• Approval request history.
• Instant project phase updates.
• Management of critical project dates.
• Management of financial information.
• Management of project information.
• Direct access to SharePoint’s document stores.