© 2009 Synactive, Inc. Desktop ● Web UI ● Mobile ● Offline ● Developer Welcome! Cut Costs & Boost Productivity... The NorthWestern Energy

© 2009 Synactive, Inc. www.GuiXT.com

Desktop ● Web UI ● Mobile ● Offline ● Developer

Welcome!

Cut Costs & Boost Productivity...The NorthWestern Energy Way

Presenters:Donnell Kuchtyn

Mark VasquezSoshima Kocharekar



SAP ERP



Why is Usability Important?

• Easy to Learn

• Efficient to Use

• Easy to Remember

• Enjoyable to Use



What Can Usability Do For Business?

Impact on Business:

• Project Cost

• Productivity

• Calculating ROI



How can GuiXT Solutions improve Usability?

• Remove Distractions/Confusions• Consolidate/Optimize Data Entry

• Use Familiar Terms• Images to Aid Identification• Instructions for Complex or Seldom Used Procedures



• Bundled with SAP ERP• Certified by SAP for NetWeaver Portals• No backend code changes • Do it faster with fewer resources• Minimize Risk • Maximize your SAP ERP!

GuiXT Solution



Activate GuiXT

Embedded within SAP!



How GuiXT Works



Donnell Kuchtyn

• SAP PM/CS/SD Business Analyst/Configurer

• Primary Liaison with the T & D Operations Division

• Project Team member for original SAP implementation

• NorthWestern Energy Employee for 27 years



GuiXT Implementation

Cut Costs & Boost Productivity...

The NorthWestern Energy Way



Talking Points:Talking Points:1.1. Background of Northwestern EnergyBackground of Northwestern Energy2.2. SAP and GuiXT SAP and GuiXT 3.3. Why GuiXT?Why GuiXT?4.4. Let’s see some GuiXTLet’s see some GuiXT5.5. Results/BenefitsResults/Benefits6.6. Lessons LearnedLessons Learned7.7. SuggestionsSuggestions8.8. QuestionsQuestions



About NorthWestern Energy (NWE)About NorthWestern Energy (NWE)

• Corp. Headquarters – Sioux Corp. Headquarters – Sioux Falls, SDFalls, SD

• IT operations located primarily in IT operations located primarily in Butte, MT Butte, MT

• Regional Electric & Gas Dist. & Trans. Utility

• 400K electric & 250K natural gas customers in Montana, S. Dakota, Nebraska

• Montana operations previously know as The Montana Power Co. (MPC) until purchase by NorthWestern Corp. (NWE) in 2002.

• MPC HQ has been in Butte since 1912.

• Approx. 1,300 employees



NorthWestern Energy (NWE) NorthWestern Energy (NWE) Service AreaService Area



SAP & GuiXT at NWESAP & GuiXT at NWE MPC live on 4.5b in May 2000MPC live on 4.5b in May 2000

NWE – SD/Neb operations live June 2002NWE – SD/Neb operations live June 2002

Upgrade to 4.6c in Nov 2002Upgrade to 4.6c in Nov 2002

GuiXT implemented December 2005 GuiXT implemented December 2005

GuiXT expanded to entire New Construction process June GuiXT expanded to entire New Construction process June 20062006

Upgrade to ECC 5.0 Oct 2006Upgrade to ECC 5.0 Oct 2006

Upgrade to ECC 6.0 – SP12 EP2 June 2008Upgrade to ECC 6.0 – SP12 EP2 June 2008

GuiXT expanded for all Capital work processes in the GuiXT expanded for all Capital work processes in the CU/OLC Go-Live Feb. 19 2009CU/OLC Go-Live Feb. 19 2009



Why GuiXT?Why GuiXT? SAP Not intuitive SAP Not intuitive

Hard to navigate between transactionsHard to navigate between transactions

Too many fields and tabs on the screensToo many fields and tabs on the screens

Field descriptions did not make senseField descriptions did not make sense

Very time consuming to trainVery time consuming to train

Lost some of the controls and edits we had in the legacy Lost some of the controls and edits we had in the legacy system system

No consistency across areas for the same processNo consistency across areas for the same process



THE PROCESS FLOWCustomer

RequestCreate

Notification

LD Pro

Design

E or G

Service

only?

Create

Design

Using VC

Add Adders

or Services

Using VC

Release

Design

Generate

OLC OrderBundling

Process

NO

YES

YES

NO

Create Quote

– to Customer

Adders or

Services

Needed?

SAP GuiXT Step

Manual Step/Decision

LD Pro Step

Quote

Accepted

Release

OLC Order

???

Print

Job Packet

Quote

$$$

ORD 24000670

Oper 1310

Oper 2330

PERFORM WORK

Materials

Labor

Contract

OH Loading

Oper By Act

To Crews

OK

Create

Customer

OLC ORDER



Let’s see some GuiXTLet’s see some GuiXT Launch PadsLaunch Pads

» ScriptingScripting

Screen ScrubbingScreen Scrubbing» Standard screen vs. GuiXT screenStandard screen vs. GuiXT screen» ScriptingScripting

Business ControlBusiness Control» Edits within GuiXT scriptsEdits within GuiXT scripts

Create Notification and Customer (screen cam)Create Notification and Customer (screen cam)» Standard SAPStandard SAP» GuiXTGuiXT



Launch PadLaunch Pad

Launch Pad Button for our New Construction ProcessLaunch Pad Button for our New Construction Process

Script to place button on SAP Easy access screen.Initiates transaction zw_guixt_001.

Script to place button on SAP Easy access screen.Initiates transaction zw_guixt_001.




Launch Pad Buttons for Each Functional Area for the process – used a custom ‘Z’ transaction.

Launch Pad Buttons for Each Functional Area for the process – used a custom ‘Z’ transaction.

Script to initiate the launch padScript to initiate the launch pad




“Include” means to read that particular script.“Include” means to read that particular script.

No Screen is selected so the Functional Area selection is initially presented, once you click on a Functional Area button a screen number is set (l_scrn = “#”).

No Screen is selected so the Functional Area selection is initially presented, once you click on a Functional Area button a screen number is set (l_scrn = “#”).



Launch PadLaunch PadEach Functional Area Launch Pad is different based on the functions they perform in the process.

Each Functional Area Launch Pad is different based on the functions they perform in the process.




If the New Construction Desk Button is selected then the screen is = 1.If the New Construction Desk Button is selected then the screen is = 1.



Launch PadLaunch PadScripting for the New Construction Desk launch padScripting for the New Construction Desk launch pad




Click on Create Capital Work Notification (Z4)Click on Create Capital Work Notification (Z4)

pushbutton (9,3) "@0Y\QCreate Capital Work Notification (Z4)@Create Capital Work Notification (Z4)" "/niw51" size=(3,50) process="iw51_navigate.txt“ using l_launch = "MAIN" using l_notif = "Z4"



Notification ScreenNotification Screenprocess “iw51_navigate.txt”Executes transaction IW51 and sets notification type Z4 and enters.

process “iw51_navigate.txt”Executes transaction IW51 and sets notification type Z4 and enters.



Notification ScreenNotification ScreenZ4 Notification with GuiXT:“Screen scrubbing”Additional GuiXT buttons/fieldsInserting the Create, change, and display customer transaction

Z4 Notification with GuiXT:“Screen scrubbing”Additional GuiXT buttons/fieldsInserting the Create, change, and display customer transaction



Notification ScreenNotification Screen

Z4 Notification without GuiXTExtra Icons, tabs, fieldsZ4 Notification without GuiXTExtra Icons, tabs, fields




Z4 Notification without GuiXTSecond pageZ4 Notification without GuiXTSecond page




Notification Screen script example to: delete unwanted toolbar icons, tabs and fields re-size boxes re-position boxes and fields

Notification Screen script example to: delete unwanted toolbar icons, tabs and fields re-size boxes re-position boxes and fields




Z4 Notification with GuiXT:Embedded the Create Customer, Change Customer and Display Customer transactions

Z4 Notification with GuiXT:Embedded the Create Customer, Change Customer and Display Customer transactions



Notification ScreenNotification ScreenNotification Screen script example:Checks to ensure user has authorization prior to showing the button for Create or Change Customer.

Notification Screen script example:Checks to ensure user has authorization prior to showing the button for Create or Change Customer.



Screen CamScreen Cam

Create Notification and Customer (screen cam)Create Notification and Customer (screen cam)» Standard SAPStandard SAP» GuiXTGuiXT



ResultsResultsJust from create notification transaction and embedding

the create customer transaction: Decreased time from 7 ½ mins. to 4 mins. From 21 screens to 4

» Eliminated 21 navigation clicks

From 50 input fields to 42» Defaulted 8 fields

» Eliminated 9 fields not used

» Organized fields in an intuitive order

2 concurrent SAP sessions to only 1 In 2008 4,900 customers created and 6,190 notifications created Similar results achieved throughout entire notification through order

completion process



BenefitsBenefits Processes intuitive and easy to navigateProcesses intuitive and easy to navigate

» Embedded many processes and navigation between Embedded many processes and navigation between transactions with a “push of a button”transactions with a “push of a button”

Forces consistent process across organization Forces consistent process across organization » Auditable processes for business control Auditable processes for business control

Users only see fields/tabs they need to seeUsers only see fields/tabs they need to see» Data which is consistently applied is defaultedData which is consistently applied is defaulted

Users do not need to know transactionsUsers do not need to know transactions» Use of Launch pads and buttonsUse of Launch pads and buttons

Training new employees on the process is cut in halfTraining new employees on the process is cut in half» From 6 hours to 2 hours for create notification/customerFrom 6 hours to 2 hours for create notification/customer

Screen changes in Upgrades are ‘invisible’ to usersScreen changes in Upgrades are ‘invisible’ to users



Lessons LearnedLessons Learned SAP upgradesSAP upgrades

» Virtually SeamlessVirtually Seamless» Do Test - SAP changes field descriptions/ScreensDo Test - SAP changes field descriptions/Screens

♦ 4 field descriptions and 2 screens were changed by SAP in our last upgrade 4 field descriptions and 2 screens were changed by SAP in our last upgrade

♦ Synactive Tools make them easy to find/fixSynactive Tools make them easy to find/fix

Make sure all transactions which initiate a screen are Make sure all transactions which initiate a screen are included in the scriptincluded in the script» Example: a notification can be executed from list edit or an order as well as the Example: a notification can be executed from list edit or an order as well as the

notification transactions. If you want all the ‘screen scrubbing’ to appear then notification transactions. If you want all the ‘screen scrubbing’ to appear then those transactions should be included.those transactions should be included.

Works best if business process analyst/configurer and Works best if business process analyst/configurer and ABAP persons know how to scriptABAP persons know how to script» Easy to use, but may need ABAP assistance for more complex Easy to use, but may need ABAP assistance for more complex

processes (to create custom transactions, function modules, processes (to create custom transactions, function modules, etc)etc)

Users want more!Users want more!



Suggestions for Roll-outSuggestions for Roll-out Define Business process/specifications before you beginDefine Business process/specifications before you begin

Start with just a few transactions that have big benefitsStart with just a few transactions that have big benefits» Preferably something you can build onPreferably something you can build on

Web repository is more efficient and offers better controlWeb repository is more efficient and offers better control

Use Synactive Consultant on-siteUse Synactive Consultant on-site» Have a business process analyst/configurer and ABAP person Have a business process analyst/configurer and ABAP person

with the consultant as they build the scriptswith the consultant as they build the scripts♦ Proved to be great knowledge transfer and speedy roll-outProved to be great knowledge transfer and speedy roll-out

» Expertise and knowledge for troubleshootingExpertise and knowledge for troubleshooting♦ They’ve seen it, done it and have direct contact with other They’ve seen it, done it and have direct contact with other

Synactive folks if neededSynactive folks if needed

» Initial implementation literally only took 1 week to implement – Initial implementation literally only took 1 week to implement – money well spent!!money well spent!!



Shell Exploration

“If we had implemented GuiXT in 1998, it would have saved us millions in training.”

- John LeBas



Butler Supply

“Our custom point-of-sale Cash Solution, developed in ABAP, would be unusable without GuiXT.”

- Bill Immer



Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District

“I’ve never been so excited about software in my life”

- Kathy Lynch



About Synactive• Founders • Bundled since 1998• Certified by SAP• SAP Support Portal• Full complement of Professional Services• Enterprise functionality in use by >250,000

end-users



5 Points to Take-Away

• Certified, Proven and Bundled with SAP ERP• A Super-Charger approach to make changes to

the SAP interface• Minimal maintenance & avoids/minimizes

problems with future SAP upgrades • SAP employees worldwide • NO losing support from SAP



Questions?



Synactive, Inc.

www.GuiXT.com

Tel. +1-650-341-3310

[email protected]

Survey at the end of the meeting

For More Information:

Documents

© 2009 Synactive, Inc. Desktop ● Web UI ● Mobile ● Offline ● Developer Welcome! Cut Costs & Boost Productivity... The NorthWestern Energy