Customer Case Study
Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd.
Deltek Vision® helps architectural and engineering firm better manage accounting and project tasks
The Challenge
Since 1985, Alberta-based Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd. has built a reputation for delivering unparalleled client-driven solutions for commercial, cultural, educational, industrial, and recreational clients, to name a few. However, this 59-person, 3-studio consulting firm started to experience growing pains that severely taxed the limits of its legacy Sema4 solution.
"What we wanted and what Sema4 could accomplish became two completely different things," explained Connie Casovan, Business Manager at Group2. "Data availability was limited, and we spent a lot of time duplicating data entry just to generate invoices and reports." In addition, Sema4 wasn't optimized for Canadian accounting, which added another level of frustration and difficulty. Group2 wanted a simpler, more streamlined solution that provided accuracy, ease-of-use and accessibility for reporting and project management.
The Solution
Group2 has been using Deltek Vision since 2006. The decision to implement Vision was based on positive experiences with support for Sema4, as well as Vision's robust and flexible feature set, which offered the functionality Group2 required, along with flexibility and room to grow.
Specifically designed for professional services firms, Deltek Vision automates and integrates the planning, tracking, and administration of both resources and projects. Group2 implemented Vision's accounting and CRM modules and is currently adding Project Management with the help of local Deltek partner Banks-Hill Systems. The legacy Sema4 databases and systems have been phased out, and even older hard-copy project records are being added to Vision's project information center database to improve access to information across all three offices.
In addition, Vision is now linked to Group2's NewForma® project center software, so data, reports and updates are sent seamlessly between the two systems.
The Benefit
Group2 immediately reaped the benefits of their Vision implementation. With more up-to-date, centralized information available, staff can easily access data and create reports directly from their dashboards. Data only has to be entered once, and the number of available reports makes it easy to meet specific user's needs, as well.
"We can generate exactly the kind of reports we need, breaking the data down as the client, project managers, or management needs to see it," Casovan said. "The better they understand what they're looking at, the faster things move along."
In addition, time sheet entry and accuracy have improved, the three studios have improved their collaborative capabilities, and paper use has been reduced significantly with the use of easy-to-read electronic reports.
The hours saved by eliminating redundancies have allowed Group2 staff to focus on their core tasks, not checking data for accuracy. "If I had to say one thing about Deltek," Casovan concluded, "it would be that, simply put, Vision makes everyone's lives around here a lot easier."
Group2 At A Glance
Company Name: Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd.
Headquarters: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Primary Business: Group2 is a full-service architectural consulting firm that offers interior design, planning, structural engineering and design & programming services to clients throughout Canada, ranging from schools and retailers to major industry and recreation.
URL: www.group2.ab.ca
Deltek Partner
Company Name: Banks-Hill Systems, Ltd.
Headquarters: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Primary Business: Banks-Hill Systems provides software, hardware, and professional services based on innovation, integrity and trust. Teams in Edmonton and Vancouver provide Deltek services and support, as well as business networking and hardware solutions.
URL: www.bankshill.com
| The Deltek Advantage |
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The implementation of Deltek Vision enabled Group2 to:
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