After many years using Greentree's CBA system, the management team at Anglian Water had identifed a number reasons to move to a new system. Primarily they felt that Windows-based software would provide a faster and easier to use system.

They also required full integration with Microsoft Excel for quicker financial reporting. After an initial investigation into other products, they considered Greentree. Greentree (who were recently recognised as one of 25 global rising stars by MIS magazine) seemed a logical product to look at given its CBA heritage, assurance of a comfortable transition, and the familiar features of CBA in Greentree.

The Greentree Business Partner gave the Finance team a full demonstration using their own financial data to show how they system would work for them. Anglian water accounts staff were impressed. "My first impression was how fast it was and looked incredibly easy to use," says accounts head Maureen Comis.

Multi-tasking
Greentree's Multiple Document Interface means each user can perform multiple tasks at once. Multiple screens may be opened simultaneously, allowing for immediate access to different parts of the system. 

"The ability to have multiple screens open is a clear difference to CBA," says Comis. "The multi-tasking aspect was a real winner. Greentree provided easy ways to input and extract data. We could see instantly that data entry and the enquiry screen would make us more efficient."

For Anglian Water, user acceptance and useability was critical to the success of the implementation. However, for the finance team there seemed to be no looking back.

"I just didn't get on with CBA," says Comis. "You always had to think of the other side of the ledger. Data was difficult to manage and using a DOS system was cumbersome. All in all it was time for an upgrade."

Easy learning curve
While a good 'fit-to-requirements' product is obviously important, the ready availability of consultants, training, and support people to implement the system and provide ongoing assistance is just as important.

The Greentree Business Partner conducted initial training with Anglian's finance team. "We had a couple of days of training to walk through the product," says Comis, "but it was largely training on the job. We made the switch easily and we were up and running within a week."

The availability of a support helpdesk and staff made the transition easier for Anglian Water. "We have received great support from the Greentree Business Partner and we have a hotline number to get the support when we need it - we never feel uncomfortable asking silly questions."

The month and year-end processing function for each module is a process that is simply completed. All transactions that are entered into Greentree are date stamped with the relevant period and year, so there is no formal period-end aging that needs to be performed. Most reports can be run for the current, future, or previous financial periods, at any time. 

"Previously month-end was a major change for us," says Comis, "and this is the best part of the change. With CBA it used to take a week to run month-end, whereas now it's completed in a day with Greentree."

Greentree provides seamless integration with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word to assist in financial reporting, transaction entry and mail merge. "The integration with Excel is just fantastic for us. Data inputting from Excel journals and exporting into Greentree is now so quick and easy. There is always a way to get the information you require."

Transactions in all modules can be posted for both prior and future accounting periods. Each accounting period may be open or closed with secure access to future and prior periods controlled by each users 'profile.'

Closed periods may also be re-opened and then closed again. "To be able to print out reports from closed off journals was something we could not do before, says Comis, "now it's simple."

Being long-term users of Greentree, Anglian Water can see it continuing to perform and will certainly grow with the company. Maureen concludes, "Since we implemented Greentree in June 2000, work has changed for the better. Using Greentree I have become more confident. I know my way around the system well, it certainly was a good move."

About Anglian Water International (NZ) Limited

AWI (NZ) operates the sewage treatment & disposal facilities for Wellington City Council and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the AWG group, worldwide water, and wastewater and infrastructure management business based in the UK. 
For more information: www.awg.com

August 2004