Our team was engaged to lead a complex migration project for a large retail client, transitioning from a legacy system of SAP and various 3rd party applications to Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) version 12.2.10. The primary objective was to streamline and optimize back-end processes to improve operational efficiency and reporting capabilities.
Project Goals
- Accelerate report generation, particularly for integrated reports dealing with large datasets from numerous retail outlets.
- Automate accounts payable (AP) invoice entry to reduce manual effort and errors.
- Standardize and modernize financial reporting to enhance accuracy and decision-making.
Challenges (Pain Points) & Solutions
1st Challenge: Slow Reporting & Integration
The legacy system suffered from sluggish report generation, especially for integrated reports that required consolidating data from multiple sources. This delay hindered timely decision-making and operational oversight.
Solution
We implemented a robust data staging server to collect and preprocess data from disparate external systems. This involved:
- Identifying and mapping relevant data sources.
- Developing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes to cleanse and standardize data before inputting it into Oracle EBS.
- Optimizing SQL queries and code to enhance performance.
2nd Challenge: Manual AP Invoice Entry
The manual entry of AP invoices was a labor-intensive and error-prone process, consuming valuable staff resources.
Solution
We designed and implemented an automated invoice matching solution with the client’s vendor. This involved:
- Establishing a seamless electronic data interchange (EDI) connection with Vendor.
- Developing validation rules to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
3rd Challenge: Non-Standardized Financial Reporting
The client’s financial reporting lacked standardization, making it difficult to compare performance across periods and business units.
Solution
We created a standardized chart of accounts (COA) and mapping rules for all financial transactions. Additionally, we developed a flexible reporting framework within Oracle EBS, allowing users to customize financial reports with dynamic formulas and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Results
The successful implementation of these solutions yielded significant improvements:
- Reduced Report Generation Time: Integrated reports that previously took hours or days were now generated in minutes.
- Faster Data Synchronization: Real-time data synchronization enabled quicker access to critical information for decision-making.
- Increased Efficiency: Automation of AP invoice entry freed up staff to focus on higher-value tasks.
- Standardized Reporting: Financial reports were consistent and reliable, facilitating better analysis and decision-making.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the transformative impact of a well-executed migration to Oracle EBS. By addressing pain points in reporting, integration, and automation, we were able to significantly enhance the client’s operational efficiency, data accuracy, and overall business performance. This project serves as a testament to the power of leveraging technology to streamline back-end processes and drive tangible business value.