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    1. Case Studies

    Wyeth Pharmaceuticals: Management Buy-in and Consistent Communication with Prolog

    April 29, 2004
    CORPORATE BACKGROUNDThe Engineering Services Group (ESG) for the Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Campus in Andover, MA, oversees project controls and project management on laboratory and office renovations, general site projects (i.e. office upgrades, parking lots, and garages), and equipment and Good Manufacturing Practices upgrades for the site.The ESG team manages between 60 and 80 projects per year, with a total value of $60 million. In Andover, a new development facility is currently under construction, and the manufacturing facility is being expanded for large-scale production of other innovative products.ASSESSING THE SITUATIONIn 2001, ESG determined that its self-created database no longer met its project management needs.“As an owner working in the pharmaceutical industry, we don’t have the same extensive system needs as general contractors, but the existing system didn’t provide the automation and enforcement of best practices we need for our global organization,” said Bill Hannula, ESG senior project manager.“We have 300 people in our group and one of our biggest values is collaboration. We needed a solution that would make our communication more efficient, streamlining the projects that encompass our facility needs,” continued Hannula.Before evaluating several vendors, ESG developed its functionality requirement specifications. Standard business processes and better-documented communication were the first criteria for ESG’s new solution. “We have an atypical project execution method, working with outside engineering, construction management, and subcontractor firms or using our in-house services on some projects that don’t include any construction.” “We really needed to standardize our processes and put everything in one, central system to better determine project status and track financial performance across our portfolio of projects,” remarked Hannula. SELECTING PROLOG APPLICATION SUITEAfter careful selection and evaluation, ESG implemented Prolog® Application Suite from Meridian Project Systems® (MPS) to track budgets, costs, and project documents.“We selected MPS because it’s 18 months ahead of the competition and on the cutting edge of technology. Prolog’s tools are easy to use and provide the critical customization and reporting capabilities that Wyeth needs,” stated Hannula. “In addition, its sales, technical and service people were great during the entire selection process. We appreciate their level of customer service,” he continued.IMPLEMENTING PROLOGMPS Professional Services Group customized the cost control, document control and field administration modules of Prolog and then completed a large data migration from ESG’s legacy system.MPS tailored Prolog’s robust reporting capabilities to create a uniform reporting tool, automating ESG’s executive management summary reports. ESG relies on Prolog’s cost control and budget forecasting capabilities to better track expenditures and anticipate costs.According to Hannula, "Prolog provided the most comprehensive set of project management tools to streamline our business processes, and has improved communications, both within project teams and within the department."BUY-IN AND CONSISTENCY“Our clients and upper management have really bought into our new reporting and cost forecasting capabilities. They’re more comfortable with the consistency of the information, and they value that our group has an obvious and visible grasp on the details of our projects,” stated Hannula.“Prolog has definitely increased our credibility with our clients and end users.” ESG and its end-users are impressed with the user-friendliness of Prolog. “Prolog’s ease-of use is great. We require that our construction management service providers use it as well,” continued Hannula.“Because we’re using the same system, our internal and external communication haveimproved; we’re on the same page. We have less risk and more collaboration.” With increased presence and workflow efficiencies, ESG is taking on additional projects that might not have been addressed if Prolog were not in place. Prolog’s custom reporting and word processing provide ESG data standardization and consistent control processes with real-time access to data for immediate and dependable decision-making.Prolog enables forecasting of budget and cost information that has helped ESG better communicate project details and strategize for future development with clients and executive management.CLIENT CONTACTBill HannulaSenior Project Manager,Engineering Services GroupABOUT MPS Meridian Project Systems® (MPS) develops project management software that improves financial performance and reduces risk on large corporate real estate projects and other capital-intensive construction initiatives. Over 8,500 of today’s leading business enterprises, government agencies, and AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) firms use MPS products to accurately plan, budget, and track all aspects of the real estate project lifecycle.©2004 Meridian Project Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other product or company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. This document is for informational purposes only. MERIDIAN PROJECT SYSTEMS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.Go to Meridian website

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