BAE Systems integrates Microsoft Project with SAP

Munich, November 29, 2007 - TPG The Project Group GmbH, leading Microsoft Premier Project and Gold Certified Partner, integrated Microsoft Enterprise Project System (EPM) with SAP system for British company BAE Systems. The result is a significant increase in efficiency through consistent and tight processes in project management, higher data quality and conclusive reports. A detailed user report for the project is now available from TPG.

The strategic reorientation of BAE Systems from a production-oriented to a project-oriented company, involved initiating the Integrated Project Management Solution (IPMS) program. Its goal was the all-round harmonizing of project management tools and processes. After evaluating different solutions, BAE Systems decided to use Microsoft Enterprise Project Management. Integrating the solution with SAP system was of particular significance. TPG The Project Group and their products TPG PSLink® and TPG ResourceLink were chosen for assisting the implementation of Microsoft EPM, the realization of the integration, and for the training of staff.

"We chose TPG for their extensive expertise, as well as because TPG PSlink® is easily configurable and it has a very good cost-benefit ratio," says Peter O'Neill, Solution Architect for the IPMS program. The entire realization of the Microsoft Project implementation and the SAP integration was carried out in only three months. It was followed by a three-month pilot phase for Microsoft EPM, TPG PSLink® and ResourceLink, which included a test run with productive data, as well as adjustments and enhancements. The solution went live July 2007.

According to BAE Systems, the notable benefits of these systems are that staff work with a main tool and that the former manual transfer between Project and SAP was eliminated. With it the time-consuming check for data consistency is no longer necessary. Importing the SAP work place list into the Enterprise Resource Pool happens automatically via TPG ResourceLink. TPG PSLink® takes care of the transition of all report-relevant data into SAP. Included in that are structure and network elements, as well as costs forecasts, actuals and residual costs, and percentage of completion. This allows for conclusive reports in SAP Business Warehouse, especially Earned Value analyses stipulated by management.

In the next phase a main resource management will be introduced and the solution will be implemented step by step throughout the company.

The user report for the project is now available to download at: http://www.theprojectgroup.com/E/imple/epm_casestudies_e.html

About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006. It is the world’s third largest defense company and number one in Europe. Its Military Air Solutions (MAS) division provides advanced military air capability via the successful delivery of design, development, manufacture and support contracts with UK and overseas customers. Working in partnership with customers and suppliers, MAS ensures operational requirements are met in the most cost effective manner.

For further information, please visit www.theprojectgroup.com/index_e.html
Press contact: Mr. Achim Schmidt-Sibeth
Email: AchimS@theprojectgroup.de
Phone: +49 (89) 61 55 93 51
Fax: +49 (89) 61 55 93 40

About The Project Group
The Project Group GmbH (TPG), based in Munich, Germany, is a team of internationally recognized experts in IT solutions for enterprise-wide project management. The US subsidiary TPG America, based in Jamison, PA, serves the American continent and provides local support for American-based companies. TPG is the world’s leading developer of products for Microsoft Project and offers implementation services for Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM) solutions to large and mid-sized enterprises. TPG places particular emphasis on the integration of EPM in the financial controlling area as well as on IT support for Project Management Offices (PMO). TPG’s range of services is complemented by seminars for Microsoft Project users and developers as well as preparation for PMI’s Project Management Professional certification exam.

The Project Group is a Microsoft Gold Partner and one of the top Microsoft Premier Project Partners in Europe. The company’s management team, composed of internationally acknowledged specialists in EPM, collectively has well over 50 man-years experience with Microsoft Project since Version 1 Beta appeared in 1989. TPG The Project Group is a member of the Partner Advisory Council, an international advisory committee for the Microsoft Project development team, which counts only twenty members worldwide.

TPG The Project Group’s customer base includes global enterprises like Agere, Agip, ATLAS, Audi, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Bentley, Bosch, British Aerospace, Cognis Spezialchemie, DaimlerChrysler, Israel Aircraft Industries, Irish Rail, Keiper-Recaro, LFA Förderbank Bayern, MAN, Microsoft, Miele, Roche, SAP, Schukra, Siemens, Swisscom, Texas Instruments, WDR and others.

This release was published on openPR.