SARS has awarded CS Holdings a contract for its Financial Transformation project. The total SAP project is valued at over R100 million over a two-year period of which CS Holdings will have a majority portion of this revenue.
This project forms part of SARS`s mission to optimise revenue yield, facilitate trade and enlist new tax contributors by promoting awareness of the obligation to voluntarily comply with South African tax and customs laws, and to provide a quality and responsive service to the public.
[VIDEO]As part of the contract, SARS will implement a transformation process in the Finance Division and it will be known as the Financial Information Management System Project (FIMS). SAP has been selected as the enabling technology for the implementation of FIMS.
According to CS Holdings CEO Annette van der Laan, this deal is proof that CS Holdings has moved to the top echelon and can now compete on even ground with the top ICT companies. "We competed with large international brands such as Accenture and Deloitte Consulting and we see this as a major coup for CS Holdings as this is in line with our vision to become and be recognised by the market as one of the top three ICT companies."
By being selected as a SARS strategic partner, CS Holdings will act as prime contractor and will add value in achieving the key business objectives of FIMS. It is expected that CS Holdings, either directly through their own resources or a consortium that they head, will deliver countrywide services in the business process transformation including definition and implementation of new finance policies and procedures; SAP system configuration to enable the new processes and policies; change management including, but not limited to, the training of end-users; knowledge transfer to SARS IT staff to enable SARS to be self-sufficient in terms of post implementation support; and project and integration management of the total solution. Through the above services, CS Holdings will assist SARS to realise the key business benefits of FIMS.
Our CS Holdings consortium includes not only CS Holdings` Consulting division, but also its training and change management experts. Ernst & Young brings their extensive global and local tax knowledge as well as experience of working inside a revenue authority. A Dutch company, Ordina, that completed a similar project for its revenue authority, will provide strategic guidance and lessons learned. In addition, we have included no less than four SMME partners that provide complementary SAP and technical skills. Their trainees will have the opportunity to develop invaluable experience during the project.
"SARS recognised the fact that CS Holdings has strong BEE credentials and is actively leading the drive to transform the SA ICT environment and it demonstrates a true commitment to transforming the company," Van der Laan adds. "CS Holdings proposed an exceptionally strong solution and delivery team, that would certainly have positioned us very well to be awarded the tender notwithstanding our BEE credentials. However, the fact that we are a strong BEE company and also proudly South African stood us in great stead as well as the recommended solutions and technical ability to fit SARS requirements."
[VIDEO]All short-listed companies were requested to define and present their value propositions focusing on specific delivery capacity, relevant reference sites (Telkom for CS Holdings), implementation plans and solutions, and creative performance-based pricing solutions (risk sharing solutions). This resulted in a win-win for both parties.
From a revenue accounting perspective, it is important to note that each of the taxes is administered on a separate system. This provides opportunities for improved integration efficiencies which will be dealt with as an exciting element of the project.
CS Holdings Director of SAP Consulting, Mark Lindhorst, has the following to add: "The initial phase will introduce the efficiencies of SAP to internal accounting functions, procurement and facilities management. We will also investigate solutions that will bring SARS in line with the Public Finance and Management Act. The real value-add comes thereafter where we will look at ways of taking the core tax systems to a level of global best practice with a totally integrated solution."
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CS Holdings provides business and IT solutions that enable sustainable competitive advantage for clients through reduced cost, managed risk, improved efficiency and added effectiveness. This is done by means of integrated solutions that incorporate the complete value chain of strategy formulation, best practice business processes, appropriate information technology and optimised people effectiveness.
CS Holdings is a leading BEE company for the ICT sector, and won the `Most Progressive Company` award at the latest BMI-T African Achievers function.
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