TNS Group
Partner Power International TNS Case Study
TNS gains greater insight and increased profitability with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Partner Power
When you are in the business of delivering market information, you know how important it is to have the most up-to-date and accurate information. To achieve and maintain excellence, TNS chose Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Partner Power.
Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS) is a global market information and insight group. Based on data collected from respondents via the Internet, mail, phone, and e-mail, TNS delivers value-adding marketing information and insight to clients around the globe.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Partner Power – the best combination
In 2004, TNS’ finance systems strategy was at a crossroads. “We urgently needed a new and robust solution for our European subsidiaries,” says Tim Thimaya, Project Director of Group Finance Systems at TNS. “We wanted a business solution to enable us to manage business performance and improve profitability. We wanted to measure profitability and accountability at the lowest level. At the same time, the system had to provide a solid framework for group reporting and enable tighter internal controls. Finally, we wanted to start using our management information more effectively.”
TNS started considering the development of a CORE solution for its other European subsidiaries, incorporating the ideas from Spain where Microsoft Dynamics NAV had been used in one of TNS’ small but profitable companies for four years. In May 2005, a steering group was formed at TNS, led by the group’s Chief Financial Officer. The Spanish version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV was not suitable for an international roll-out, but the functionality was desirable. France (TNS’ fourth largest subsidiary) was the next country in line for an implementation. On recommendation from Microsoft, TNS turned to Partner Power France to start developing the CORE solution. Development started in June 2005.
“We wanted to partner with an organization that would guide, assist, and advise us through this process,” explains Tim Thimaya. “And, we wanted to work with an organization that had the expertise to work internationally in a practical, efficient, and effective manner. Through research, we found that there was only one organization that met all these criteria - that was Partner Power!”
Partner Power was attentive to TNS’ specific needs and in December 2005, six months after the project had started, Partner Power France had completed the primary CORE development. In January 2006, the international deployment pack had been substantially completed.
“One of the keys to the success of the CORE solution development was having a local Partner Power project manager who was able to combine an understanding of our business with the relevant technical skills and was able to work effectively with our internal teams. It was extremely important to understand our business objectives for this project, as the CORE was going to be rolled out globally,” says Thimaya.
TNS opted for a prioritized and phased roll-out to their other subsidiaries in scope. After France, followed medium-sized and smaller subsidiaries (Norway and Italy followed by Mexico, Denmark, and France again – for second smaller implementation – and finally Belgium).
The benefits
The benefits of implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV in multiple countries can be clearly seen at TNS in the operations of the subsidiaries. Implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV has allowed them to improve profitability in different ways:
- Greater and timely scrutiny of project level results
- Better utilization of resources (with timesheet recording)
- More time spent on analysis rather than processing
- Reliable, accurate, and complete data from a ‘single source’ integrated database
- Reduced finance headcount through efficiency and standardization
TNS’ overall impression is definitely one of general satisfaction. Tim Thimaya comments: “It has been a journey with a dedicated purpose. We have enjoyed the experience enormously. Working with Partner Power has allowed us to build a solid CORE which has provided the foundation for this project. We have also benefited from Partner Power’s leadership and guidance. The Steering Group has great confidence in the project and is keen to implement the solution in other subsidiaries.”
Future outlook
Today, TNS is looking to upgrade the CORE to Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 in 2009 and has started discussing this with Partner Power. Microsoft NAV currently covers 22% of TNS’ revenue. The company is now looking to extend the original scope of the project to include implementations in other countries as and when their finance systems come to the end of their life cycle. Many of these countries are outside Europe and the well-established Microsoft Dynamics NAV territories (for example, Latin America), and TNS will be looking for proactive support from Partner Power and Microsoft.