The team here at Workplace Engineering recently launched an extranet platform for RM Chin, a leading engineering consulting firm in Chicago. This case study outlines the development of the Modern SharePoint Project Management Extranet, including its integration with RM Chin’s ERP: Deltek.
Project Overview
RM Chin needed a centralized platform to manage their numerous engineering projects across various industries. Their existing system relied on a combination of spreadsheets, emails, and paper documents, leading to information silos and inefficient workflows. The company wanted a modern, collaborative project management tool to streamline their processes, improve communication, and enhance productivity.
Workplace Engineering proposed a SharePoint-based extranet that would allow RM Chin’s project teams to collaborate in real-time, share files, track project progress, and manage project risks. The proposed solution would also integrate with RM Chin’s ERP system, Deltek, to automate the provisioning of new project sites, populate project information already stored within their ecosystem, and be kept up to date as the contract progressed. This integration would allow project managers to focus on delivering results rather than administrative tasks, resulting in improved project outcomes.
Development Process
The development process began with a detailed analysis of RM Chin’s existing processes and requirements. Workplace Engineering’s team worked closely with RM Chin’s project managers to understand their workflows and identify pain points. Based on this analysis, they developed a detailed project plan, which included designing the extranet’s architecture, creating wireframes and mockups, and developing custom SharePoint web parts.
The team also worked on integrating the extranet with RM Chin’s ERP system, Deltek. They created a custom connector that would automatically provision a SharePoint project site when a new sale was made in Deltek. This automation would ensure that project teams had immediate access to the necessary collaboration tools and documents, reducing project start-up time and improving efficiency.
The development team also ensured that the extranet was mobile-friendly, making it easy for project teams to access project information on the go. They also implemented robust security measures, including role-based access control and SSL encryption, to ensure that sensitive project information was protected.
Results
The Modern SharePoint Project Management Extranet was successfully deployed, and the project teams at RM Chin immediately noticed significant improvements in their workflows. The extranet’s user-friendly interface made it easy for team members to collaborate and share project information, leading to better communication and increased productivity.
The integration with Deltek also proved to be a significant success. The automatic provisioning of new project sites reduced administrative tasks and allowed project managers to focus on delivering results. The extranet’s mobile-friendly design also proved to be a significant advantage, allowing team members to access project information and collaborate from anywhere.
Conclusion
Workplace Engineering’s Modern SharePoint Project Management Extranet was a game-changer for RM Chin. The extranet’s advanced collaboration features and integration with Deltek significantly improved project outcomes, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity. The success of this project demonstrates the importance of using modern technology to streamline workflows, improve communication, and drive business results.