APCO's Transition to the Latest Deltek Maconomy Web-Based User Experience: Uniting Over 1300 Users for Superior Global Collaboration & Performance

An interview with Habib Younes, Head of ERP & Corporate Project Manager, and Richard Doyle, Systems Administrator at APCO

APCO has a clear mission: to add value to its clients and benefit society through insightful counsel, compelling narratives and creative solutions. Founded over four decades ago, this advisory, advocacy and communications firm works closely with some of the world's leading corporations, foundations and governments to help them achieve their strategic goals.

As longtime users of the Deltek Maconomy ERP solution, APCO is focused on ensuring that they have the right and latest technology in place to support their business operations. This was the driver for their recent move to a 100% web-based approach, and they are the first Maconomy client globally to fully move away from a desktop user interface.

Historically, Deltek Maconomy's strength has been its robust web framework, offering industry-leading project and financial management through both web/mobile and rich interface options.

In recent years, Deltek has significantly revamped the Maconomy user experience, consolidating it into a single web-based interface. In 2025, a Progressive Web App (PWA) mobile application will enhance this even further.

As a result, Deltek's clients are increasingly utilizing this unified web experience, which provides even greater value for users.

Richard Doyle, APCO's Systems Administrator, tells us, "We could have gradually made the migration to being 100% web-based, but we decided, 'Right, we'll just do the whole lot as a "big bang" for over 1300 users.' And it worked really well."

We spoke with Richard and his colleague, Habib Younes, Head of ERP and Corporate Project Manager at APCO, about the move to a 100% web-based approach.

Taking the Leap to Modernize—and Stay Ahead of the Curve

APCO uses Maconomy at every point in its global business—from tracking time and absence to managing finances. "Everyone in the business uses Maconomy, from senior management to every single one of our office admins," explains Habib. "We have access split by roles, such as basic, project manager, finance, resource manager, etc. and we use predefined access rights templates to quickly onboard new users."

The team wanted to move to the web-based client to align Maconomy with its company strategy and other applications. "At APCO, we always like to be progressive in our approach to the technology we use," Habib says. "Given Deltek Maconomy's robust web framework we were excited to move to a 100% web-based approach and collaborate with Deltek to continually improve how we use the solution, ensuring even greater value for our users."

Plus, APCO found that a web client would require less maintenance. For example, the web client can be upgraded without needing to be deployed on every user's individual machine, as you are required to do with the desktop version of the application. It also gave APCO an opportunity to use a third party to store and deliver support content, including videos, guides and tutorials. "We can now also offer our own embedded "always on" support," adds Habib. "So, for example, if you're a new joiner, the system can guide you on the screen where to click and explain why you are clicking—guiding you through the process, which was not possible using the desktop version."

Strong Collaboration and User Engagement Ensured Project Success

The move to a fully web-based system involved a close collaboration between APCO and Deltek. With open communication and regular meetings, this teamwork ensured a successful move. "We didn't leave it for Deltek to do the upgrade and then wait for the end result to see if it worked or not," says Habib. "We were part of the upgrade. It was a joint effort. And that's why I think it was a huge success."

"The team met almost on a weekly basis," Habib adds. "Everything was super clear and very detailed. I think that communication and detailed planning made this project a success."

APCO was also very deliberate in the internal team it put together for the move, with Habib and Richard representing two different, but vital aspects of the project. "I was responsible for everything related to the web client's code, and Richard was on the support and change management side," Habib explains. "Both are equally important. If I've built the best code and user interface, but people are not ready to use it and aren't getting the support they need, it's meaningless."

The company started an awareness campaign about the change early to prepare users for the new interface and get them onboard. "It was a partnership with the user base as well as a partnership with Deltek," says Richard. "I think that's important that you've got that engagement with the users. From a person whose only task in Maconomy was to put a timesheet in, to a person doing a huge reconciliation on a project and running all these reports, they're both as important as each other. They're still users, and every user matters."

"To get people on board, we repeated the same fact," adds Habib. "It's the same ERP; we're still using Maconomy; it's just a new user interface. That put people's minds at ease."

Performance Boost Drives Positive Feedback

Right from the start, Richard and Habib received great feedback on the new interface. Intuitiveness and performance were better, and the modernized user interface was more in line with the company's progressive ethos.

"From the first moment we showed the web client to users, the feedback was positive," Habib tells us. "We were struggling to get what we needed from the desktop app, and the web client offered us better performance. This positive feedback gave us and senior management the green light to move forward."

Even today, four months after the go-live, the team is still receiving positive feedback about all aspects of the web-based application. This is only the start, as they continue to add more features to the solution, such as employee—and project-based dashboards, custom analyzers and BPM Reports.

Mastering the Shift to Modern Systems

Habib and Richard have plenty of advice for other firms looking to migrate to a new ERP solution, or manage any large technology change:

1. Modernize your processes
   Habib says, "Move your systems to the web. Based on our experience, it's more than worthwhile; it's a must. We receive feedback from our users thanking us for the new Maconomy on an almost daily basis."
2. Bring users on the whole journey
   Richard advises, "Start communication with your users early once you've committed to the change, whether that's moving to a web-based solution like we did, implementing a new ERP or something else, such as migrating to the cloud. Whatever it might be, once you've committed to it, start telling people, and give them assurances that you'll help them along the way."
3. Be smart and bold
   Richard adds, "Don't rush. But also, don't be afraid to move forward and tackle the big changes needed to modernize your systems because huge benefits will result from that change."

Modernize your ERP with Deltek

APCO is just one of many organisations that use Deltek Maconomy's web-based client to stay agile, adaptive and competitive.

To learn how your firm can use Deltek's ERP solutions to power project success and enhance operational efficiency in a single, connected platform – click here.