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Time Inc.

PeopleSoft ERP implementation, systems integration, data conversion

Time Inc. is a global media firm owned by Time Warner (formerly AOL Time Warner), a Fortune 50 company. Time Inc. is a creator of publishing and information brands, including 60 magazines with a total of 268 million readers. It is also a leading direct marketer of books, music, and video.

Challenge

Time Warner wanted all of its subsidiaries to operate on the same PeopleSoft ERP platform for core business functions. This effort would entail significant technical and operational challenges to make a smooth transition, including heavy interface configuration, data conversion, and systems integration across all subsidiaries. The initial rollout phase would cover Time Life, Book of the Month Club (BOMC), and Southern Progress. Time Inc. split the project into two parts, with a Big Five consultancy handling business analysis and PeopleSoft configuration and Übermind handling systems integration and data conversion. For the General Ledger and Accounts Payable modules, Time Inc. asked the Übermind team to:

• Develop a data conversion strategy and process, fit for reuse across multiple subsidiaries
• Develop a systems integration strategy and process, also fit for reuse
• Make buy-vs.-build technology assessment for data conversion
• Design and develop a reusable suite of data conversion utilities
• Perform systems integration that allowed PeopleSoft to roll out gradually, yet tie into numerous backend applications and datastores

Solution

Übermind team members implemented a successful business process covering the lifecycle of mapping definition, conversion, reconciliation, and signoff. They designed and implemented a data conversion engine that achieved 100% reuse across all Time subsidiaries, and achieved a pristine level of data conversion quality, performance, and accountability. A user could drive the entire engine via metadata, all stored in a database and accessible via simple MS Access forms. Control and error reports, tailored to business users' needs, accelerated the pace of conversion.

The Übermind team implemented the systems integration via a reusable, component-based architecture, using batch processing to enable efficient and timely assimilation of legacy systems into the PeopleSoft Oracle backend.

Success required constant coordination and communication across several layers of internal management at each subsidiary company, and among teams working simultaneously in New York, Virginia, and Alabama.

Results

• Cross-subsidiary technical solution
• Enterprise-wide data strategy and process
• Efficient application of technology (ability to reuse)