White paper: "Getting Spreadsheets to Work Better for Your Business" by Frances Ryglewicz (Acrobat PDF)
In January, 2003 Horizons International, Inc. formally introduced Horizons Consulting Services for on-site deployment. These services enable Partners and Customers of Horizons Manufacturing Suite additional capability in assuring that the correct HMS modules are employed, that an implementation plan is created and adhered to and that staff is correctly trained in how to use HMS in their unique situation.
Horizons Consulting Services was formed in response to Partner and Customer demand and was specifically designed to augment Partner services to the Customer and not to compete with those services. This additional help will aid Partner's groups that are not specifically focused on manufacturing, or who would rather have Horizons International take responsibility for HMS software implementation; those Partner organizations that are more aptly described as sales organizations and both Partner and Customer organizations that require a high degree of consultation input as to how internal business procedures are to match HMS software provisions.
In general, Partner and Customer agreements will precede Horizons Consultation Services involvement in an implementation. They will agree to what extent Horizons will be involved in their internal affairs at the customer site, what assistance is needed and who will have responsibility for fee payment. This Consultation Service is also available to support Partners who request direct help in order to learn how to handle future situations. Customers can request aid directly, usually in the form of online live training, but a site visit can also be arranged. (Note that HMS training for partners is also available in a classroom setting in the Horizons Boise, Idaho training center.)
The most common request for Consultation Services begins with the creation of a formal implementation plan. This plan lays out expectations, constraints, responsibilities, timetables and acts as a general guide for the entire implementation process. Additionally, the implementation plan requires detailed specifications of any custom work that may be needed. A project plan is critical to an implementation. Without this more formal "project" approach, the implementation will encounter a "moving target" mentality where end results will not actually fulfill expectations. Many Partners and Customers find plan creation daunting. After a plan is agreed to it is easier to see what aspects will be addressed by which party, whether Horizons Consulting, the Partner or the Customer's internal staff.
The Horizons Consultation Group is a fee based group that is contractually involved in any of various aspects of an implementation. Additional support is available through our ASAP Technical Support.