Fast CIS Implementation For Utilities To Be Featured In First Of Three Ciber Webinars

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Some 57 percent of CIOs surveyed earlier this year by InformationWeek said their biggest worry was that they couldn't "implement fast enough." For those looking to implement customer information systems at gas, water or electric utilities, Ciber has created a pre-integrated and prepackaged solution built on SAP technology that can be completed in one year using a streamlined configuration process. During a one-hour webinar slated for broadcast on Wednesday, August 15 at noon EDT, utility IT professionals will learn about Ciber's quick success methodology from Mike Catterall, vice president of the consulting company's SAP practice, and Heather Johnson from SourceGas, who managed her utility's customer information systems (CIS) implementation. To reserve a spot in the Webinar register online or go to www.ciber.com and click on the "Efficient Utilities Webinar Series: Utility Case Study," banner in the bottom left corner of the page.

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Part of Ciber's Efficient Utilities Series, the webinar will begin with Johnson presenting a case study outlining her organization's enterprise resource planning (ERP) and CIS implementation, which dramatically increased process efficiency, billing accuracy and call center metrics. Johnson, who served as project manager during the effort, will share lessons learned and keys to success. One smart move was getting stakeholders involved early on in the project.

Ciber's accelerated implementation methodology was designed to do just that, by engineers who have extensive experience implementing SAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Billing for Utilities. The methodology begins by giving users access to an integrated software suite for utilities, plus it includes a modeling phase that allows users to more quickly test their own end-to-end business processes in an integrated environment. This approach is in stark contrast to traditional implementations, which typically start with an un-configured and un-integrated landscape that requires key decisions to be made with a limited view of end-to-end processes.

Along with its quick implementation methodology, Ciber's pre-packaged, pre-integrated Ciber Customer Service Suite is designed to give utilities essential applications, advanced reporting and analytics. The solution includes:

• The SAP ERP Financials application
• SAP for Utilities solutions
• The SAP Biller Direct application
• The SAP Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM) application
• The SAP NetWeaver® Business Warehouse (SAP NetWeaver BW) component
• SAP Business Communications Management software

Because Ciber's approach incorporates pre-integrated software and user feedback early in the implementation process, it facilitates schedules that can cut implementation timeframes to a year or less instead of the usual 2-3 years while it lowers costs and reduces risk.           

About Ciber, Inc.

Ciber is a client-focused, results-driven IT consulting company. Its 7,000 consultants provide the business acumen, technical skills and flexibility to help businesses and governments around the globe get the most from technology. Since 1974 Ciber has combined the stability and resources of a large consultancy with the agility and personal touch of a local firm. Ciber (CBR) trades on the New York Stock Exchange and earned approximately $1 billion in annual revenue during 2011. For more information, visit www.ciber.com.

SAP and all SAP logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Ciber, Inc.