FOCUS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE PROFILE

By
Ruban.T
Software Consultant

FOCUS SOFTNET PVT LTD

Mobile: 09677759267
Email: ruban@focussoftnet.com
Web: www.focussoftnet.com

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 Notice of Proprietary Information

All Information in this document or disclosed by this document is

confidential. By accepting this document the recipient agrees that this
material and the information contained therein will be held in confidence
and will not be reproduced, disclosed or us ed in whole or in part, except
for purposes for which this document is prepared, without prior written
consent from FOCUS SOFTNET PVT LTD, CHENNAI.

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PRODUCT PROFILE

WHERE ERP MEETS BI

As a business grows, it needs to make timely and effective decisions by

eliminating information lag. ERP helped managers in their decision making till
now. With the ever-increasing internet bandwidth, speed of information and
reporting needs have changed towards more dynamic and multi-dimensional
report formats. Manager has no time to pull data into XL and create intuitive
graphs and then take it into presentation. BI tool helps user pull the information,
on demand, in the format as required.

BI, as a tool, takes raw data from different applications in an enterprise and
provides reports with valuable information with drag-drop customization. BI
gives management of companies a competitive edge as it can provide organized
and structured reporting very quickly.

Companies across the globe have implemented ERP solutions as a system that
would centralize enterprise data. However, it has so far been restricted to only
the information that the ERP solutions are capable of generating. Companies
would, otherwise, also need to invest in BI tools that require lot of technical and
functional understanding of both the ERP database and BI interfaces. This calls
for tremendous technical capabilities within the organization, which would come
at a cost that would negate the claims made by ERP providers on the ROI. If
realistic ROI has to be gauged, then all the attached costs over the years need to
be included.

So far, the high cost of implementing and continuously managing BI kept mid-
sized organizations away from it. Having seen this gap, Focus Softnet has
created a cost-effective solution that combines its highly customizable ERP with
business intelligence tools. Focus i is a revolutionary product that enables
companies to automate their financial and operational processes and helps them
make better decisions by organizing, analyzing and reporting the data they
generate.

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ADVANTAGE OF FOCUS I
 Information on user-defined executive dashboard without pressing a key
 No third-party Business Intelligence solution
 Easy to use
 Costs Effective, Faster ROI
 Enhanced Reporting Capabilities
 Define & Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
 Critical Business Alerts on Dashboard, Email and SMS
 Combine Multiple Reports from different Modules
 Decision-making in real time
 Monitor business activities to ensure best performance

BENEFITS OF INTEGRATION

Business Intelligence Business Intelligence

Focus i, with its unique BI tools, eliminates the need for a third party BI Tool.
With built-in BI with ERP modules user gets BI integration across all the
modules. Now define your KPIs, define executive dashboards and receives alerts
on critical activities. The information can be viewed as colorful graphs or in an
excel-like format.

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Features
 Dashboard Interface for each User

 User definable reports

 KPI (Key Performance Indicator) definition

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  Alerts - Customized as per user’s requirements

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Enhanced Reporting Capabilities

With its enhanced reporting capabilities, Focus i eliminates the need for a
separate reporting tool.

Features:
 Analyze – Drag and Drop row and column fields to Analyze report.

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  Graphs – While dragging and dropping fields, generate Graphs online.
 Flip between Text and Graphical report on screen.

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  Refine Report – Quick Summary of values and count in the report for
immediate Filter.

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  Cross Reference – Jump to any other report based on row parameters of
on-screen report.

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Multiple Options for Remote Connections
Focus i comes with multiple remote connectivity options:

Features:
 Direct Focus i server connection using SOCKS technology
 Web Access using Java based interface.
 Online or Batch Data Synchronization Direct connections require remote
users to have VPN or server connectivity using DSL or broadband internet
connections.
 Web Access using Java is an optional addition for those who wish to have
both windows and web interface modules.
 Online Synchronization can be setup on the Focus Softnet server directly
provided the Focus Server has static IP or it can be provided through a
2nd server which has static IP, and the Focus server connects to remote
user through the 2nd server.

Report Features for All the Modules:

 View any report in HTML
 View any report in Excel
 Email any report.
 Select Draft/Windows mode for printing on the fly.
 Easier filtering
 Schedule Reports for Printing, Export or Email
 Allows multiple columns to be selected.
 Allows Group Headings for multiple columns.
 Easier customization of reports.

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ADVANTAGE OF FOCUS

Apart from the modules that work independently while seamlessly integrating
with each other, Focus i offers you distinct advantage with list of global features
that are available across all modules.

With the options available in Focus Advantage, an organization using Focus i

would never require any other tool.

Modules Features
 Powerful APIs  Powerful Security
 Workflow designer  Import & Export of Data
 Report Writer  Document Print Design
 Spreadsheet  Report Export Function
 Document Configuration  Email Document and Reports
 Authorization & Alerts

API:
Focus API module allows external module development and integration. The
external module just needs to be com+ compliant.

Workflow designer:
The workflow designer helps you in defining the document process within and
across Focus modules which reduces the drudgery of data entry across
documents. Using the links data is entered in the first stage of the document
process and the rest of the process is automated using document push or pull
options. Document based push/pull criteria can be defined in the workflow.

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Report Writer:
Library of user defined reports can be created that can generate report from
multiple modules and multiple companies. The unique feature of report designer
allows you to select data from Focus and other application and combine it in one
report. Additionally the reports generated from Report Designer can be used as
trigger for generating documents, for example commission calculated in a report
can be posted as Journals.

Spreadsheet:
This feature in Focus helps user create Focus spreadsheet report comprising data
from multiple reports. For example separate report on Stock Valuation and
Cash/Bank balance can be combined to form a single summary report on various
end-of-day/month balances. Uniqueness of this report is it does not require you
to have any external spreadsheet application.

Document Configuration:
The document configuration can be used to create user specific document types
and/or create user specific fields in existing documents.

Authorization:
The advance security in Focus allows user groups that can be linked to
authorization flow. Set authorization condition for each document type with
multi-level authorization that can be triggered as application alert or can be
configured to be sent as email to user/user groups

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
—Development Language – Microsoft Visual Studio & Java

 Database Supported – Microsoft SQL 2000 & Above

 Hardware Specifications – IBM Server, Minimum 100 GB Hard Disk and
4GB RAM, Windows Server Operating System

Optional Requirements

 Microsoft Outlook Mail server for mail configuration

 Microsoft Office
 Acrobat Reader
 Static IP and Internet on the server for Remote connections
 Internet connection on the server for Online Support

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IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY

It is crucial that implementation be carried out in an organized manner so that the

deliverables are clearly defined as milestones. On completion of each phase a milestone
certificate would be generated for the client to signoff. On sign off it would be deemed
that the phase has been completed to the client’s utmost satisfaction.

To have a successful implementation, it is crucial that the implementation be a team

effort. Implementation of projects is necessarily a joint effort between the Client and
FOCUS SOFTNET. The implementation process shall comprise of the following stages
and activities.

During implementation, FOCUS SOFTNET maintains a one-point interface between

FOCUS SOFTNET and the Client. This interface is the Project Leader from FOCUS
SOFTNET’s side (PL). In case of a 1 member team, the PL is the FOCUS SOFTNET’s
Software Implementer.

FOCUS SOFTNET recommends that Client should have a Central Coordinator (CC) for
the entire project. A CC is essential and` should be a driver for the entire project. He/She
may decide to have other members in his Central team. Along with these members there
should be rotating members, who will be from the Departments where a particular
module is being implemented.

The product is delivered incrementally, phase-by-phase (e.g. Base Product, Screen

Customizations, Business Process Customizations, MIS Customizations and finally
Reports. The incremental Deliveries ensure that Users start using the software very early
during the implementation time and do not have to wait for the entire PRODUCT to go
live. The approach taken by FOCUS SOFTNET is an Output Driven Approach (Reports).
FOCUS SOFTNET believes that the implementation of the PRODUCT equates with the
usage of the software. It also believes that usage can be reasonably equated with having
useful outputs from the system. These outputs normally take the form of onscreen or
printed reports. As a result of this thought, FOCUS SOFTNET drives the PRODUCT
project by focusing on the prioritized reports that can be taken out of the systems. From
FOCUS SOFTNET side, Reports define the way the data is to be processed in the
PRODUCT. Once the output is clear, it is easy to visualize what inputs are needed to get
to the output, and also, what Business Rules need to be applied to the inputs, and the
processing logic that needs to be followed to arrive at the final output.

Reports form Tangible Deliverables and thus help drive the PRODUCT implementation
by Clearly Definable Objectives. Without these Tangible deliverables, the Project tends
to chase the bigger and unclear targets, jeopardizing the Project progress. This approach
has been found to be extremely effective in situations where knowledge of PRODUCT is
at its early stages in the user group.
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If Users want any changes, they are discussed between the PM and the CC. The changes
requested by the Users have to be approved and prioritized by the CC. These changes
are noted in BUSINESS REQUIREMENT DOCUMENT (BRD). Approval should be
given by way of CC signing the Requirements.

The criteria for initiating these changes should be

 Need of Change. Is it Vital, essential or Desirable?

 Cost of incorporating change?

 The effect of change on the stability of software?

FOCUS SOFTNET customizes the software as per these Requirements. On delivery of

each Requirement, User is expected to do a user acceptance test (UAT) by entering real
data to make sure that delivery is as per the Requirement. Once satisfied, CC should
give a sign-off against that Requirement. FOCUS SOFTNET recommends that CC should
get the sign-off done within a week of its delivery by the PM.

Documents: FOCUS SOFTNET maintains 3 main documents.

 Business Architecture Report: In this Requirements from Users are noted and are
signed by the CC. On delivering the Requirements to User’s satisfaction,
User/CC has to sign-off the delivery.
 Site Visit Sheets: PM submits daily Visit sheets of FOCUS SOFTNET team to the
CC. This is to be signed by the CC.
 Minutes of meetings: All Review meetings and Project meetings are minuted.

The documents are designed so as to ensure that the Project is process driven and not
person dependent. At the same time sufficient care is taken so that these documents do
not become an overhead for either FOCUS SOFTNET or the client. We also suggest
review of these documents by senior management of the Client to help them understand
and review the progress of PRODUCT implementation.

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IMPLEMENTATION MILE STONE

A. Technical Consultancy

To begin with we need to assess the client’s requirement, their infrastructure

Activities:

 Interview end-users across the organization and draw out the total
functional requirements and the objectives of implementing System
Integration Solutions or an ERP solution. End-user requirements are
already studied by the client and frozen. To that extent, Scoping provides
a more elaborate opportunity for end-users to detail their requirements to
FOCUS SOFTNET implementation team.

 Drawing out of the boundaries to the scope of implementation.

 Assessment of the computer awareness of end-users across the

organization, with a view to establishing and advising training needs.

 Identification of User Champions from different business functions. User

Champions are essentially employees who have in-depth knowledge of
the customer organization’s business processes in a given functional area
and those who can take decisions on changes to the same.

 Formation of two Implementation Teams, one from FOCUS SOFTNET

and the other from the client. FOCUS SOFTNET’s team shall comprise an
Implementation Manager (single-point contact for the implementation), a
group of Business Analysts (application group specialists) and Technical
Support Resources (IT specialists). The client’s team should essentially
comprise Users and IT specialists. Generally, at least one User Champion
per module is required. Both Implementation Team members will
typically be dedicated to the implementation process on a full-time basis.

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Deliverable: Pre-Implementation Report.

B. Business Requirement Document

In the initial Business Requirement Document (BRD) stage, a plan is developed

describing the technical landscape, business processes, and organizational entities
included in the project's scope. The project's context and boundaries are defined in order
to ensure a clear understanding of the problem addressed by the system, and of the
constraints that will be imposed on it. This provides a solid basis for collaboration with
users in developing a solution that satisfies their business process requirements.

Activities:

 In-depth understanding of the intricacies business processes vis-à-vis the

business processes available in Focus.
 Identification of workarounds, extensions, customizations, areas of
business process changes and detailing of policy changes required.
 Arriving at details of extensions and customizations, if any, and creating
prototypes if necessary.

Deliverable: Business Requirement Document (BRD).

C. Roll Out Plan

The Rollout Plan describes the full-scale functional implementation of the proposed
solution. Effective deployment strategies ensure a smooth, effective, and efficient
implementation.

Deliverable: Delivery Schedule.

D. Roll Out (Product Development)

Activities:

 Develop customer-specific product development / coding.

 Installation of the final product.
 Creation / Uploading of master data.
 Final validation of readiness to start transactions.
 Checking pre-defined outputs (including MIS) at pre-defined periods.
 Final print out of all reports.

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Deliverable: Implementation Certificate.

E. Training

Activities:

 Application Group Training to the User champions on the basis of

“train the trainer”: The purpose of this training program is to provide in-
depth product knowledge of the relevant application group to the
respective participants. For example, training on the finance module
would be targeted at the users involved in the finance and other
interfacing functions of the customer organization.
 Technical Training to the IT-personnel: Here, we shall impart necessary
skills to the nominated IT personnel to enable them carry out basic
administration and control tasks viz. Backup, Restore etc.
 End-user training.

Training programs can be conducted at the customer’s premises or at Focus

offices.

Deliverable: Training Certificate.

F. Review

Focus provides knowledgeable and experienced professionals who validate the

environment and recommend improvements. The customer will input trial transactions
and verify the resulting reports to ensure that the implementation was executed in lines
with the agreed Business Architecture Report. The client would then accept the
implementation completion and will sign off the implementation completion Certificate.
The Review stage ensures that the client gets the maximum return on their investment
and has the opportunity to ensure that the solution provided addresses their end to end
business accounting requirements.

Deliverable: Implementation Completion Certificate.

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CONCLUSION

In this dossier, we have displayed a charter of our procedures, the deliverables

and quotation for Focus I. However, if you require any clarifications, or further
information, we would be delighted to discuss them.

We thank you for giving us the opportunity to send you this information and we
look forward to the start of an association with your esteemed organisation.

Best Regards.
Ruban.T
Software Consultant
Focus Softnet Pvt Ltd
Chennai

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