Opening of Proposals - Utility Billing System - North Star Utilities Solutions - Part 1

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NORTH STAR"' Phase Five: Deployment f Upon reaching the Deployment Phase, the CIS implementation has been validated and is ready for deployment in the production environment. The Deployment Phase focuses on training the organization in (' the use of the CIS, an end -user system Readiness Assessment and Go -Live Support. During this phase, the NorthStar Utilities Solutions Consultants and Implementation Specialist provide project management and implementation Go -Live Support, as required. This phase of the implementation is traditionally composed of the following steps: • Setup of user profiles • Training environment setup • End -user training or Train -the -Trainer training • Implementation support Training is critical in the process of promoting and enhancing adoption of a new system. Training all users in the use of a new system is the culmination of months of effort. Increasing the rate of adoption and acceptance of a new system are key factors that contribute to the success of the implementation, and subsequently, to support a change in the strategic alignment between IT and corporate initiatives. Based upon the organization's needs and preferences, training is usually offered at the organization's site(s) or at the CIS vendor's facilities. Training is role -based and specific to the organization's operational needs and business processes. The Train -the -Trainer program is offered as a means of developing internal experts who become CIS trainers. More advanced training by business function is delivered by NorthStar Utilities Solutions Consultants or by the organization's trainers. Many customers elect to engage NorthStar Utilities Solutions Consultants in a supportive role when advanced training is delivered by the organization's trainers. Training is followed by a Readiness Assessment in order to make a Go -Live decision. Subsequent to the Go - Live decision, a final data conversion is performed, and the user community begins using the CIS solution. NorthStar Utilities Solutions Consultants continue to offer support until the organization's transition to the Client Management and Technical Support Desk group within the next phase. Phase Six: Operate The Operate Phase of the implementation involves two events, including a Project Review and the transition to Client Support and Technical Support Desk teams. Traditionally conducted in the form of a conference tali, the objectives of the Project Review are to assess the lessons learned from the implementation, and to plan any subsequent phases. The Operate Phase provides an opportunity for both teams to review and confirm that the project's objectives are met, and to prepare for the next step in the phase, which is the transition of support responsibilities. In the transition to the CIS Client Management and Technical Support Desk Team, NorthStar Utilities Solutions Consultants co-ordinate transitioning the organization from the NorthStar Utilities Solutions Project Team to the CIS Client Management and Technical Support Team for all day-to-day CIS technical and user support issues. NorthStar Proposal Response —South Bend Indiana