Customer Success Story
Rios Clementi Hale Studios
Architectural Design Studio Creates a Blueprint for the Future of Their Business with Deltek Vision®
The Challenge
Since 1985, Los Angeles-based Rios Clementi Hale Studios (RCH Studios) has built a business and a reputation on stunning creativity and architectural ingenuity. This 45-person architecture design studio specializes in bringing exteriors and interiors into sync, but was having a hard time doing the same with its legacy accounting systems.
Using a parallel implementation of Deltek Advantage and Ajera, RCH Studios found that the process of importing and exporting data across the two platforms was tedious and error-prone. Ajera's usability and reporting did not meet expectations, eventually slowing down productivity. “For all we invested in [Ajera], it just wasn't delivering what we needed,” said Leilani Lacusong, Account Manager at RCH Studios. Lacusong, an experienced user of several accounting products including Ajera, Timberline and Deltek grew frustrated: “Ajera only had one kind of report. There was no posting, no review, no cross-check – once you entered data, it was live and ready for billing, whether there was an error or not. No ‘undo’ option. It was inflexible and infuriating.”
The Ajera solution also didn't accurately report cash-on-hand, and complicated the billing process due to its accounting-date driven logic, opposed to Vision's period-based accounting logic. Lacusong and Office Manager Fritz Connolly recognized the need for a system with more reporting flexibility, better usability, and improved compatibility with the decidedly less troublesome Deltek Advantage implementation.
The Solution
The RCH Studios team explored several options to replace the disappointing Ajera product within its organization. Based partly on their satisfaction with Deltek Advantage, the team immediately recognized the unmatched functionality and strong value of Deltek Vision.
Specifically designed for professional services firms, Deltek Vision is a modular solution that automates and integrates the planning, tracking, and administration of both resources and projects. RCH Studios chose Vision due to its custom dashboards and reporting capabilities, more practical features like electronic time and expense, and resource planning capabilities. “We can play with reports and customize them based on the needs of each project manager,” Lacusong continued. “And happy project managers means a smoother day at the office.”
Vision Dashboards were also installed for project managers and partners, providing instant access to the status of any of current projects, as well as the ability to easily produce reports for management and clients. In addition, RCH Studios staff are currently being trained on the resource planning module.
The Benefit
With help from Deltek business partner ITB Consulting, RCH Studios saw the benefits of its Deltek Vision implementation almost immediately. More accurate timesheets and flexible reporting have led to more efficient billing and improved customer service. “Clients can call and get ins” Connolly said. “No more ‘I'll have to call you back’ as an answer.”
Billing cycles have been dramatically reduced thanks to push-button batch invoicing directly from Vision, as well as built-in review protocols to make approvals easier.
Best of all, there was a very short learning curve. “I can shut my eyes and still work with Deltek Vision,” Lacusong said. “The solution can be learned in three months and a user can be extremely effective within that timeframe. Choosing Vision is one decision we're all happy with, and we'll never look back.”
RCH Studios At A Glance
Company Name: RCH Studios
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
Primary Business: Rios Clementi Hale Studios is
an architectural design studio specializing in
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior
Design, Master Planning and Furnishings; and
utilizing the latest technology including the
implementation Building Information Modeling
and advanced design visualization software.
URL: www.rchstudios.com
Implementation Partner
Company Name: ITB Consulting
Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA
Primary Business: ITB Consulting specializes
in fully integrated Project Based Financial
Software Solutions while providing the full
spectrum of services, from needs analysis,
through product selection, implementation and
consulting to staff training and ongoing support.
URL: www.itbconsultinginc.com
| The Deltek Advantage |
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The implementation of Deltek Vision enabled RCH Studios to:
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