Canon Localisation Services choose Asta Teamplan
Overview |
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Canon Localisation Services (CLS), a professional services division from a subsidiary of Canon Europe, is benefitting from improved project and resource planning and reporting from the installation of Asta Teamplan, the project portfolio and resource management software solution from Asta Development.
Background
CLS is responsible for delivering multiple internal projects, including the translation of software for internal clients within Canon Europe and its parent company, Canon Inc. in Japan. Up to 40 project managers, software engineers, test engineers and contractors work across the division’s portfolio of projects.
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The needCLS’s former project management software did not provide a centralised overview of the full project portfolio. This made it difficult to assess how resources were being shared across projects, accurately monitor and plan utilisation, respond to any peaks and troughs in team workloads or to provide up to date and accurate reports. Jonathan Bowring, general manager of Canon Localisation Services, explained: |
“Our existing project management software only allowed us to produce individual standalone project plans, and these were not linked to our master plan schedule. We lacked an enterprise-wide view of our projects, resources and ongoing work, which made it hard to accurately pinpoint where our resources were most needed or to confidently forecast future resource requirements.”
The solution
Asta Teamplan was selected because of its ability to deliver a single, centralised view of CLS’s projects and resources in relation to current and future work.
The projects at CLS are dynamic and constantly changing. By using Asta Timesheet the engineers working on projects are able to regularly record their work progress. This data then forms the basis of management reports and the invoicing process. In addition, it enables the resource managers to see how effectively resources are being used and predict future requirements. A further benefit for the management at CLS is the ability to produce more regular and up to date reports on the status of projects and resources.
| Jonathan adds: “The implementation of the software was smooth. The main challenge was tailoring the software to our own specific needs. Asta has produced three custom reports for us and now the software meets all our requirements. In addition, it allows us to look back on projects and review the exact expenditure that each one entailed, which is essential information for our project managers.” | "It allows us to look back on projects and review the exact expenditure that each one entailed." |
Mike McCullen, managing director of Asta Development, commented: “Without a centralised view of projects and resources, many enterprises are in the dark about how to best manage their resources at a strategic level. By providing a real-time, collaborative, project portfolio and resource management solution, Asta Teamplan is addressing a number of serious challenges at Canon Localisation Services. Also, the company is gaining vital insight into real project costs, which will be invaluable for future financial and project planning.”
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