The implementation of the project will follow the standard process with the following phases:
- Requirements gathering – Model Office
- Project planning
- Development of additional functionality & interfaces
- Configuration
- System Testing
- User Acceptance Testing
- Planned implementation activities
IT-Freedom has a defined methodology for the implementation of the ICE Product Suite which commences with a Model Office detailed requirements gathering phase. Projects are managed through a detailed project plan, project initiation document and fortnightly Red, Amber, Green (RAG) reports and monthly steering meetings to monitor milestones, authorise change and review progress.
Project documentation includes:
- Functional Specification
- Plan & Project Initiation Document
- Configuration Requirements
- Interfaces Specification
- Infrastructure Specification
The Model Office typically involves a 4-8 week Model Office phase depending on the lines of business, size of the organisation, etc.
Prior to commencement, IT-Freedom will deliver a vanilla version of the application, on hardware/licences in IT-Freedom’s development office and available over the web to the location of the Model Office.
The purpose of the Model Office is to give the our customers and their project team a good understanding of our base processes and the configurability of the ICE Product Suite without the need for programming as changes are typically made by empowered business users rather than IT personnel.
Using this approach has enabled us to deliver projects on time and on budget, time and time again.
Customer Example 1
The company had a number of challenges with their legacy claims system which was primarily a paper based process supported by an AS400 green screen system. The claims handling process was labour intensive with large numbers of process support staff required to maintain an acceptable level of customer service. In addition, it was difficult to control and change business processes, which was resulting in unacceptable levels of claims leakage.
Although the customer had no pre-determined budget to undertake this project, they were interested to look at the potential for saving and improvements in the future and commissioned a proof of concept. At the end of this 4 week process we were able to present a compelling case to their board.
IT-Freedom designed the technical solution which met the requirements agreed in the Model Office phase and to meet the needs of the business case. Links to existing legacy systems and suppliers were implemented eliminating the need to re-key. In addition, automated business processes were introduced incorporating diary and task management, supervisor and team leader controls, dashboard MI and workflow.
IT-Freedom managed the planning and control, development, testing and implementation for both project teams throughout the project lifecycle and implemented on time and on budget in only 13 weeks from Contract Signature to live running.
Customer Example 2
A leading provider of claims services in the UK to many of the UK’s Insurance companies needed to replace an existing claims system where accuracy, cost, service and responsiveness were all critical factors when dealing with both emergency and non-emergency claims.
The ICE Claims implementation commenced at the beginning of February 2011 and was delivered for User Acceptance Testing in May 2011, with live running of ICE Claims commencing on 1st June, 2011.
The first claim was notified by an Insurer to our customer at 8.00am on 1st June which was logged and acknowledged, attended to and resolved and finally invoiced in an incredible 72 minutes!
IT-Freedom prides itself on delivering the promises it makes and this is yet a further example of the partnership approach adopted for all IT-Freedom customers:-
Implementation and Live running in less than 4 months
- Project completed on time and under budget
- A speedy return on investment
