Description of Study or Projects:

1. Requirements Study - Passage of Act 57 resulted in the first changes in the way Pennsylvania procures goods and services since the early 1900’s. The process used to operate a 2.5 billion dollar annual procurement business was archaic using methods and procedures largely based on a paper operation. DDS was contracted to perform a business process re-engineering study that would identify all the changes necessary to implement the requirements of the new law. The procurement organization, processes and operations were analyzed not only for General Services but also across the Commonwealth. The Disadvantaged Business program was analyzed to determine the feasibility of incorporating its requirements into the procurement system. The computer systems in use to support the process were analyzed and tested against the new requirements of the law. Extensive interviews were conducted throughout General Services as well as across the Commonwealth. The study culminated in a final report identifying all the required changes, priorities for implementation and impact to the organization. DDS was complimented on the effort and rewarded with an additional contract for the development of a new vendor database.
   
2. Vendor Registration System – DDS was contracted to design, develop and implement a new computer system that would also incorporate the requirements of the Commonwealth’s disadvantaged business program. Design was accomplished using JAD information gathering techniques. An early prototype was developed and given to key staff to gain acceptance as well as identify improvements. The system was web- developed and accessible by businesses as well as other Commonwealth agencies. This resulted in measurable benefits by decreasing the cost and time necessary to register to sell goods and services to the Commonwealth as well as reducing the time currently involved in agencies receiving a bid list from the department. An additional benefit was the incorporation of the disadvantaged businesses, a previously separate process. Implementation also required conversation of data from separate Foxpro data bases, collection of missing data and conversion of commodity codes to a nationally accepted commodity code scheme. Training involved both technical training as well as training for the system user. The system was developed using a SQL server database and visual basic programming tools.
   
3. Risk Management Insurance System – DDS was contracted to implement a new risk management software system purchased by the department. Implementation required modifications to incorporate the needs of both the department and the Attorney General’s Office. Conversion of existing data was necessary and accomplished. Missing data was collected and programs written to load it to the database. Testing was performed in parallel with the former system. Finally, training was accomplished for the departments technical staff as well as the users of the insurance system. Training was conducted in Harrisburg as well as remote office locations. Implementation was successful and ahead of schedule, and DDS received accolades for the success of this effort.