SIMPLE PAYMENT PROCESSES WITH A CASE STUDY

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1 SIMPLE PAYMENT PROCESSES WITH A CASE STUDY

2 About altamps altamps is one of the suite of software products offered by geoamps. It is designed to meet the unique needs of alternative energy industries, such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. altamps automates many time-consuming, although necessary processes. It is filled with time-saving tools, such as lease management, meteorological tower management, royalty payment calculator, bulk update, automatic reminders, payment tracker and scheduler, workflow tracking and import-export capabilities. With the added ability to access information through mobile applications, detached tools and GIS mapping, altamps delivers process efficiency, error reduction and measurable cost savings. The geoamps commitment to customer service does not stop there. We configure our software products to meet the specific needs of each client. When altamps is implemented at your organization, you will enjoy a software system that is tailored to your individual business goals and processes. Wind industry leader chooses geoamps solution A large utility company that manages wind farm projects across the United States and Canada needed a customizable solution for complete asset and project management. The company chose geoamps in 2012 to replace its previous software provider. The company switched providers due to geoamps ability to easily adapt its product to the unique business needs of a wind energy developer and operator. Another important differentiator between geoamps and the company s previous provider was that geoamps gives users the flexibility to access information in real time across multiple platforms, including Web, Mobile, Detached/Offline and GIS. altamps, a product of geoamps tailored specifically to fit the needs of alternative energy companies, was fully implemented in all the client s project development and operational systems by early The project was completed in about three months, and the client continued its day-to-day operations throughout the install.

3 Data migration The first step in implementing the altamps product for the client was with data migration. Data migration involves transferring historical information from various sources and formats into a single software solution. geoamps migrated all of the company s paper records, maps, photos, jpg files, pdf files, Word files, spreadsheets and other data into its centralized Web database. Source Scan & Index Document AUTOMATED Data Conversion Extract Key Data Extract Supplemental Data Load Data in geoamps AUTOMATED Quality Check AUTOMATED In some instances, client records only exist in paper form and must be digitized before migration can take place. To do this, geoamps uses an optical character recognition (OCR) machine to extract the data from its original source, correct any errors, reformat it and load it into one easily accessible location without loss or damage to the original information. Centralizing the data provides the capability to quickly access information and reports, update projects and add new authorized personnel. geoamps migrated the client s data in about two months without any interruption to company operations. The company currently uses altamps for all phases of development and operations of its numerous wind farm projects. The company uses the Web platform to manage lease agreements and obligations, calculate royalty payments, automate payment tracking, manage meteorological towers and manage workflows. geoamps als o successfully integrated with other software systems at the client s request. geoamps is built on an open architecture that makes such integrations seamless. For this client, geoamps integrated with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to increase audit controls and efficiencies within the company s financial processes. geoamps also integrated with SAP for access to financial/ accounting information to make royalty payments on the company s wind farms. Finally, geoamps integrated with SharePoint to allow for seamless data flow from spreadsheets and Word documents into the geoamps management software. geoamps also allows for integration with Oracle Financials, FileNet, Active Directory and Microsoft AX, among other systems.

4 Install A base geoamps system was made available for this client within two weeks, and a full system was deployed in several months. geoamps approach to the project included a close partnership with the client throughout all project phases. Installation began with a Project Initiation stage. geoamps representatives met with key client personnel to review the project scope and for high-level training with the client s Core Team. One of geoamps Project Managers worked with the client to establish a project timeline and schedule weekly status meetings. After this kickoff meeting, users were given a test/playground environment to begin familiarizing themselves with the software. Then the project moved into Base Install Deployment. geoamps can host any client s solution on its server. geoamps also supports in-house implementation in which the geoamps team works closely with the client s IT department, managers and business users to install and configure the application on the client s server. This particular client opted to host the system on its own server. Meanwhile, the Product Development Team was working on new enhancements requested by the wind energy client. This is part of geoamps ongoing commitment to configure its products to meet each customer s specific needs and continually improve its product offerings. Each client is assigned a Business Analyst to determine a client s specific needs. Product updates are developed and implemented in two-week cycles, adopting principles from Agile and Six-Sigma. geoamps makes product updates based on suggestions from customers and new industry developments. geoamps completed User Acceptance Testing and received feedback. Issues were resolved and retested, working toward going live with critical items. Once the client signed off on the changes, the client-specific instance was deployed into production. 2 Week Iterations Open Iteration Plan work to be completed Retrospective Work remaining and planning meeting Estimating Session Prioritize Story Cards Close Iteration Show & Tell in the PM Testing Release New Enhancements Updates and Developments Principles from Agile and Six-Sigma. User Acceptance Testing Production Week 2 2 week cycles

5 Product support Once each new system is installed, geoamps remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition from the client s old system to the new altamps system. The geoamps solution is extremely user-friendly and requires minimal training. Depending on the deployment, training typically takes one to two days for most users and three to five days for administrators/ Power Users. Specialized training, tailored depending on user role, was scheduled onsite. Training sessions can also be scheduled remotely at the client s request. The client received extensive user guides and technical support documents. geoamps Product Support team continues to provide the company with aroundthe-clock Help Desk support. Each client is assigned a Product Support Specialist to serve as a single point of contact after system deployment. Product Support Specialists are available by phone, and online chat within the geoamps system to assist clients, and all issues and requests are logged and tracked through an internal ticketing system. geoamps Product Support Specialists are all internal employees located in our corporate office in Powell, Ohio. This allows our support staff direct access to all geoamps resources when dealing with any client support issue. The wind energy developer and operator continues to manage its wind farm projects from geoamps comprehensive, fully integrated and centralized Web solution. The client has a true on-stop shop for viewing, researching and managing of projects and asset information, which has led to process efficiencies and reduced project time and cost. As a true testament of the value of the geoamps system, the client is currently working with the geoamps team on new releases that expand the client s use of the geoamps product.

6 Learn more about geoamps geoamps is a software company that has quickly become the industry leader in managing land rights and infrastructure assets. Our suite of off-the-shelf, highly configurable products have helped clients throughout the U.S. and Canada bring transparency and consistency to their organizational processes. Our easy-to-use software solutions across multiple technology platforms improve coordination among departments and bring efficiency, standardization, transparency and predictability to complex business processes. Our solutions connect all parties through one Web-based centralized data repository. With geoamps software, organizations are able to standardize and automate processes to eliminate duplicated efforts, reduce errors, save time and reduce costs, while increasing quality. REQUEST A DEMO See the application in action! Request an online demonstration of our software and see how geoamps solution can best suit your needs! Phone: [email protected] Follow geoamps