Solutions

Microsoft SQL Server Greenfield Implementation

MS SQL Database Management

Greenfield Implementation
for a Retail Client

Business Challenge:

A growing retail chain with a legacy system’s poor performace to handle increasing data volume and complexity led few business challenges.

The client’s existing database system was outdated and couldn’t keep pace with their expanding business. This led to:

• Slow performance: Queries took too long, impacting customer experience at point-of-sale and inventory management.
• Scalability issues: The system couldn’t handle the growing data volume from new stores and product lines.
• Limited functionality: Lack of advanced features like reporting and analytics hindered business insights.

Solution:

A greenfield implementation using a modern SQL database management system (DBMS) like MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, or PostgreSQL.

Outcomes

80
%
Query Response Time

50
%
Transaction Throughput

99
%
Database Availability

Follow below Greenfield Implementation Steps:

1. Data Analysis and Requirements Gathering:
   • Analyse existing data structure and identify data quality issues.
   • Understand the client’s current and future business needs.
   • Define data entities, attributes, and relationships for the new database.
2. Database Design and Development:
   • Design a normalized database schema to minimize redundancy and improve data integrity.
   • Develop SQL scripts to create tables, define data types, and establish relationships.
   • Implement security measures like user authentication and access control.
3. Data Migration and Testing:
   • Develop a data migration strategy to transfer data from the legacy system with minimal downtime.
   • Implement data cleansing and transformation techniques to ensure data accuracy in the new system.
   • Thoroughly test the database functionality and performance before deployment.
4. Deployment and Ongoing Management:
   • Deploy the new database system on a secure and reliable server infrastructure.
   • Set up backups and disaster recovery.
   • Monitor database performance and implement optimization strategies as needed.
   • Provide ongoing support and maintenance for the database system.

Benefits:

• Improved Performance: Modern SQL databases offer significant performance improvements over legacy systems, leading to faster queries and a smoother user experience.
• Scalability: The new system can easily accommodate future growth in data volume and complexity.
• Enhanced Functionality: Rich features like reporting, analytics, and data warehousing tools allow for better business intelligence and decision-making.
• Security and Reliability: Robust security measures ensure data protection, while backups and disaster recovery plans minimize downtime risks.

Considerations:

• Choosing the Right DBMS: Selecting the most suitable SQL database platform depends on factors like cost, scalability needs, existing infrastructure, and technical expertise.
• Data Quality Management: Data cleansing and normalization are crucial for ensuring data integrity and accuracy in the new system.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Develop strategies for seamless integration of the new database with existing point-of-sale, inventory management, and other retail applications.

Conclusion:

By implementing a greenfield SQL database management system, the retail client can achieve significant improvements in performance, scalability, and data management capabilities. This translates to enhanced customer experience, improved operational efficiency, and valuable business insights for informed decision-making.

SAP Concur : Enhancements for Operational Excellence

Outcomes

85
%
Automated Process

58
%
Faster reimbursement

85
%
Enhanced Experience

Business Challenges

The client is in digital engineering industry present in 12+ countries and having 6000 employees worldwide. Client struggling with some outdated, manual travel and expense management system that offered minimal control over internal travel expenditure and limited visibility for both approvers and finance teams. Below are the challenges with existing tool.

• Paper based travel request approvals and manual cash advance process disconnected from travel requests
• Per diem calculations were frequently delayed and employees are frustrated with late allowance reimbursements
• No ability to have real time exchange rates in the existing tool which leads to lengthy reimbursement cycles
• Employee spend dashboards were not available to executive team to take informed decisions
• The absence of seamless integration between the travel reimbursement tool and the ERP system is creating bottlenecks and delays in the reimbursement process

Solutions proposed

Our expert team of architects conducted a thorough analysis of the existing systems and processes. Following a detailed review, we submitted a comprehensive solution document to address all identified product and process gaps. Additionally, we clearly identified the process issues and, leveraging the expertise of our dedicated team, provided effective solutions.

In our assessment, we meticulously mapped out each process, highlighting areas of inefficiency and potential risk. Our solution document not only outlines these gaps but also provides step-by-step recommendations for improvement, ensuring a streamlined and effective implementation.

How We Contributed

With an object to increase the operational efficiency and to save costs, we customized a template for reconciling the client’s procured services with and actual services being utilized in the process. Upon documenting the current requirements, a detail design on how to re-engineer the current configuration plan in SAP Concur. Which Includes

• Re-implementing global-level Single Sign-On (SSO) with SAML authentication to prevent any future login issues within the system. This initiative aims to streamline user access across the organization, enhancing security and user experience while reducing administrative overhead. Additionally, it ensures seamless integration with existing authentication mechanisms, promoting efficiency in user management processes.
• Enabled and set up the budget module to facilitate transparent budget planning for each department within the organization. This configuration offers real-time tracking of departmental budgets, empowering department owners with alerts and notifications for better oversight and control.

• Collaborating with the Amex team to integrate employee IDs (unique identification numbers) into the card feed, ensuring that all cards are automatically assigned to the appropriate users upon feed processing. This enhancement streamlines the assignment process and improves accuracy.

• Implementing the standard Integrated Connectivity Solution (ICS) between Concur and ERP has significantly minimized posting issues. This robust integration facilitates smooth data synchronization, enhancing overall system performance and reliability. As a result, our processes are now more efficient, accurate, and streamlined.

• Initiating end-user training on using the SAP Concur mobile application, which includes services like ExpenseIT and Concur Drive for automatic mileage calculation. This training will enable users to leverage the app’s automated solutions, enhancing the overall employee experience.

Tech Stack

SAP Concur

SSO (Add on)

Amex Card integration

Budget (Add on)

Integration concur solutions (ICS)