TMW Software Implementation: The Process
Through installations and implementations with more than 1600 customers and thousands of individual locations, we have identified six critical stages that contribute to your software implementation success. Using this proven framework, we work side-by-side with you to develop a customized plan that details needs, assigns responsibilities and sets milestones.
6 STAGES THAT DRIVE SUCCESS
Stage 1: Project Initiation
From the moment you've indicated your decision to become a TMW customer, the Sales organization involves the Professional Services team to gain an understanding of your company background, needs, expectations, the scope of your project and the personnel requirements to finish on your desired timeline.
The Pre-Implementation meeting with you lays the foundation for building a collaborative working relationship and smooth, disciplined implementation roll-out. The TMW team outlines the process, sets expectations and defines team roles and responsibilities with your internal project team. We explain the scope, objectives, approach and training schedule. The group reviews the complete Implementation Checklist that details all tasks required from both teams for you to put your new software system in to daily production use. Next, an initial project plan is created and reviewed. From the start, we take pains to insure that both your team members and ours know the goals and identified project milestones required to take your organization live on your TMW system. 
Regular progress checks will assess project status and drive any corrections or changes in direction or focus, if needed.
Stage 2: Installation
In this stage, the TMW Implementation Specialist and your system administrator or IT staff install the TMW software on your servers, within your technology infrastructure. Database back-up, disaster recovery and database maintenance procedures and plans are discussed. A test database environment is set up for you on-site with remote access from TMW headquarters so that our implementation and support teams can assist you as needed.
Also at this stage, your staff members on the implementation project team are trained on issues of system administration, security, user account setup and file maintenance basics.
Stage 3: Define, Design and Test
Now we go to work with your team to define specific business requirements for each functional area. Identifying the screen views, filters, reports, user-defined parameters and settings at this point molds the software configuration to your business needs now, and helps your users feel comfortable with their new software environment. Fine-tuning and testing is an ongoing process until both teams are satisfied with the results.
Stage 4: End-user Training
Employee buy-in is critical to the success of the implementation and a strong training plan is an important element in accomplishing this goal. Our experience has shown that companies must take user training seriously to insure a smooth transition when the organization plans to go-live on their TMW software. If your users are well-trained and comfortable in their new software system, you can achieve optimum value from your investment much sooner.
Once your new system is optimally configured for your business needs, the formal user training process begins. Training is scheduled at strategic points in your project timeline so that employees learn on the actual applications they will be using in their day-to-day operations. Using your actual data and screen views, TMW staff trains your users in all of the functional areas they'll be using, as identified in the definition and design phase.
TMW offers various forms and combinations of on-going training opportunities to choose from, including:
To complement the formal training, there are additional support tools your users can take advantage of, including:
Stage 5: Validate and Go-Live Preparation
Throughout your implementation process, the software system is being configured to meet your specific business requirements. The TMW Project Manager now works with you to develop and execute an appropriate parallel plan, designed to address the most critical stress points in your system. This process provides you with the assurance that all TMW applications are fine-tuned and functioning appropriately to meet the needs of your daily operations. As with any critical process or system for your business, a contingency plan is developed with your staff to guarantee continuity of operations in the case of unexpected crisis or disaster.
The TMW Pre-implementation Checklist is heavily used at this point to ensure that the parallel plan is executed as defined and that project milestones are met. It will indicate whether your various departments and personnel are putting in the required effort from your side to ensure successful progress toward daily production use.
A detailed Cutover Plan is developed to manage the process and ensure a smooth transition from implementation to go-live. All aspects of your system are evaluated and planned for, particularly in finance or accounting to validate beginning balances and year-to-date balances, and in critical transactional communications areas such as EDI. Depending on your needs, the cutover process could consist of one application at a time, site-by-site or a range of other options to make your transition smooth.
Stage 6: Go-Live
All elements from the pre-implementation checklist are now complete, the system has been rigorously tested, and both your team and the TMW project team are confident of go-live success. Both teams will now work even more closely together over a short period to manage the actual operations transition and address any issues that arise.
The TMW Post-Implementation Monitor is now used to provide real-time visibility to your system's vital signs. Automated status reports are generated to provide awareness to any issues that may have a negative effect on your operations. Once confirmed that "all systems are go", it's time to begin enjoying the efficiencies that TMW software will bring to your organization.
Ready to Thrive and Succeed
After daily operations with the new system become routine, it's time to begin leveraging the robust functionality of TMW software to take your business to the next level. TMW Business Consultants are seasoned professionals with years of transportation industry and information technology experience. They are trained to analyze, evaluate and make recommendations to help our customers capitalize on the potential and increase the ROI of their TMW investment. They can help you achieve your vision through a variety of services, including business analysis, process reviews for improved operational efficiencies and profitability, or engagements focused on a single, complex operational issue.
Click here to learn more about TMW Business Process Consulting.
"TMW's teamwork is superb and their knowledge is second to none. They understand trucking, they understand technology and they understand priority."
Mike Ludwick, VicePresident, IT
Bison Transport
"We set out to find a strategic business partner, not just software."
John Erik Albrechtsen, Manager of Operations
Paul's Hauling, Ltd.