Solution After a thorough RFP process the project team concluded that ITS, one of the Treasury systems from the ION portfolio could serve both needs and the choice was made to simultaneously implement an individual, but similar, system for each company. Main reasons for selecting ITS were the modularity and functionality of the system, combined with the ability to configure the system with highly automated workflows suitable for both companies. Because of the tight implementation lead time of 8 months in combination with the other unbundling activities, it was decided to use a phased approach and to start with the Cash Management module, the liquidity planning and the deal capture functionality. Before the unbundling date this was realized for both companies and the legacy TMS was kept as a fallback environment for a short period of time. After using the new systems for a while for Cash Management and deal capture, the accounting interface was delivered for straight through processing of the monthly valuation postings to the ERP systems. Key success factors and lessons learned: Managing two implementations at the same time can be challenging but also efficient if planned and managed effectively (including phased go-lives); Scope overview (realized simultaneously for the two companies) Copyright Orchard Finance “The key to success was a dedicated project team all with the same goal to meet the deadlines, a modular implementation of the two systems with very tight and flexible project management.” Sebastiaan Weeda, Group Treasurer Stedin. A flexible multidisciplinary team of Treasury, TMS vendor consultants, Stedin/ Eneco IT, Orchard Finance consultants, bank IT is a must in achieving the goals on time; Management attention from Eneco’s and Stedin’s Group Treasurer was key for timely decision making. UPDATES & TRENDS 55 ORCHARD / STEDIN STEDIN
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