July15,1995Mr.RickRene'VicePresident,InformationTechnologiesExcelTelecommunications,Inc.9101LBJFreeway,Suite800Dallas,Texas75243DearMr.Rene':Ithasbeenourpleasuretoworkwithyouinthefinancialimplementationplanningprocess.ThetrackrecordandsuccessofExcelTelecommunications(“Excel”)hasbeenoutstandingandweknowyoudesiretoputtheprocessesandsystemsinplacetoenabletheCompanytomovetothenextlevelintermsofsize,resultsandcontinuedoutstandingperformanceinthetelecommunicationsindustry.ThepurposeofthisletteristoconfirmourarrangementwithyoutoassistwiththeimplementationtheDun&BradstreetSoftwareSmartStreamsolutionatExcel.Thisletterdescribesbackgroundinformation,projectobjectivesandplannedscope,projectapproach,projectedlevelsofinvolvementandassociatedfees.ProjectBackgroundWepreviouslyassistedExcelwithanimplementationplanningproject.TheArthurAndersenprojectteamfacilitatedtheprocessbyperformingthefollowingsteps:qConfirmedtheselectionofDun&BradstreetSoftwareSmartStreamapplicationsqDeterminedwhichmodulesshouldbepurchasedandtherequiredinterfacestothecurrentsystemsqAssistedinplanningthetechnicalenvironmentforthenewsystemsqDevelopedaconceptualdesignoftheapplicationflowsqDevelopedadetailedimplementationplanwithcostestimates.JAL_IMPL.DOC5/4/2025Mr.RickRene’Page2July15,1995ProjectObjectivesandScopeTheoverallobjectiveofthisprojectistoassistExcelinthedevelopmentandimplementationofacost-effectivesolutiontosupportyourfinancialsystemneeds.Specifically,theobjectivesoftheimplementationare:qToimplementaflexiblesolutionthataddressesExcel’sneedsinatimely,costeffectivemannerqToinstallthenewhardwareandsoftwarewithminimumdisruptiontothebusinessactivitiesqTodevelopnecessaryprocedures,trainusers,convertexistingdata,andensureacceptanceofthesystem.Asagreeduponinearlierconversations,thescopeofthisprojectincludesimplementingtheDun&BradstreetSoftwaremodulesofDecisionSupport,GeneralLedger,AccountsPayable,FixedAssets,andPurchasing.AdditionalmodulestobeimplementedincludeHumanResources,AccountsReceivable,andBudgetingbutthesemoduleswillnotbeimplementedaspartofthisproject.ProjectTimetableWeanticipatethattheimplementationcanbecompletedinapproximately6months,barringanyunforeseendelaysrelatedtohardwareorsoftwaredelivery.DecisionSupport,GeneralLedger,andAccountsPayablearescheduletogo-liveonJanuary1.FixedAssetsandPurchasingarescheduledforFebruary1.Duetotheshorttimeframeinwhichtoimplementthenewsystem,weplantolimitthenumberofsoftwaremodificationstoaminimum.Wewillcloselymonitortheprogressoftheprojectrelativetothescopeandfeesoftheplanandkeepyouinformedastothestatusoftheimplementation.ProjectApproachInordertoaccomplishtheprojectobjectives,theimplementationwilloccurinthreekeyphases.Thephasesareasfollows:Mr.RickRene’Page3July15,1995PhaseI--BusinessProcessSimulationThisinvolvesinstallingandconfiguringthenewsystem,establishinghowthenewsystemwillbeused,identifyingandcompletingthedetaileddesign,andtrainingprojectteammembers.PhaseII--PackageImplementationInthisphase,theprojectteamwillcode,test,andimplementenhancementsandinterfaces,finalizeuserdocumentation,conductsystemtest,conductend-usertraining,andupdatetheconversionplan.PhaseIII--FinalConversionThisphaseinvolvesexecutingtheconversion,verifyingthedata,andgoinglive.ProjectAdministrationTechnicalEnvironmentSupportProjectTeamTrainingDetailedDesignInterface&ConversionPlanningReportandAnalysi...
