DetNet Solutions expands project management power

Microsoft accredited partner and enterprise project management (EPM) specialist Fulcrum Business Solutions recently completed the last phase of a Microsoft EPM solution implementation at DetNet Solutions, an international supplier of electronic detonator systems and blast control networks based in Modderfontein, SA.

Fulcrum Business Solutions, a Pretoria-based specialist in EPM consultation and services, was appointed to deploy an EPM toolset at DetNet Solutions. The company was initially approached to provide Microsoft scheduling consultation. This service was later extended to include the demonstration and purchasing of the Microsoft EPM toolset.

This project extended over a four-week period and involved a focused EPM deployment. Additional mentoring and support was acquired to ensure that realistic schedules were produced.

DetNet Solutions has positioned itself as a premier electronic detonating systems partner for mining operations around the world.

The company emerged out of the amalgamation of two leading detonator companies - Altech, the world leader in pre-programmed detonators and blasting networks, and a subsidiary of AEL which developed the Smartdet fully programmable system.

DetNet`s winning formula is based on a series of core capabilities:

* DetNet has over 18 years of research capability spanning the entire electronic detonator value chain.

* DetNet has world-class manufacturing facilities that have produced over 16 million electronic detonators to date and has an installed capacity of over 10 million units per annum.

* DetNet shares its proven conversion methodology with its partners. AEL, DetNet`s African channel partner, using this method, has managed to sustainably convert over 20% of its surface and large ore body market to electronic detonators.

A key aspect of DetNet`s strategy going forward is the creation of partnerships with players in the explosive value chain.

DetNet Solutions is a world leading, cutting-edge technology development company. Current and future products require effective development projects to ensure first-to-market solutions. The company plans to expand globally and requires a management-by-project culture and a global, Web-enabled project planning toolset to support this strategic management approach.

This is where the solution adds value in that it automatically provides increased visibility over the project management environment, explains Lizette Venter, EPM Deployment Manager at Fulcrum Business Solutions.

"Our initial task was to provide best practices and consultation on scheduling within the company`s environment. This was extended to the EPM solution and related services and benefits. DetNet are currently running with two substantial projects to develop a new generation of detonators and time to market is crucial," says Venter.

According to Buks Kruger, Projects and Quality Manager at DetNet Solutions, implementation was focused, without any frills and effected by existing resources with Fulcrum consulting support.

"We had the benefit of a Fulcrum consultant helping us to set up the first two project plans a month before implementation. This worked well because it enabled us to publish plans when a two-hour user overview was done. We virtually went live after the two-hour session. This overview was conducted following a two-to-three week program during which the system was set-up and configured. Yes, we did experience a few teething problems in making sure all culture changes were assimilated. To date the solution has worked very well and we do believe it will deliver."

The scope of the EPM deployment at DetNet was deploying EPM within the DetNet environment. The principle of keeping it simple and streamlined was followed throughout the whole deployment. Limited overall exposure to the toolset was provided in the form of induction workshops and training.

The implementation was totally toolset-oriented with the objective of providing a working EPM toolset that contains active projects and projects in the pipeline. The idea was to empower and enable individuals to be aligned to the projects as well as do real-time updating of schedules. A secondary objective was to provide initial feet-finding support to the newly appointed EPM Administrator. No additional customisation was done in terms of issues or documents and limited views and reports were configured.

All these objectives were achieved with very little disruption to normal work schedules.

DetNet`s EPM solution now enables the company to plan and execute projects globally. The company is also intent on migrating to Project Server 2003.

"Training and the improvement of user knowledge are continuous. Fulcrum has been instrumental in helping us to utilise our existing infrastructure and experience in project management to ensure a smooth upgrade. The improved, real-time communication is so simple and fantastic, it redefines project management," says Kruger.