An interview with Thomas Jilek, Finance Director CE at Devoteam.

For over 30 years, Devoteam has delivered IT consultancy services for firms across EMEA. Over the decades, it has guided its customers through several technological leaps, from the early era of the internet to the cloud. Now, Devoteam is helping customers get the most from Artificial Intelligence.

Focusing so closely on customer needs in a fast-changing area like technology means ensuring projects run as smoothly as possible. For 20 years, Devoteam has relied on Deltek Maconomy as its enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to ensure it can deliver the technology that meets its customers' needs without project delays or mishaps.

We spoke with Devoteam's Finance Director CE, Thomas Jilek, about their journey with Deltek Maconomy and how moving from on-premises to the Deltek Cloud has further benefitted the business.

A Long-Term Plan - The Importance of Finding the Right ERP

The company operates in several countries, so it needed an ERP that could help manage distributed resources. Devoteam's office in Denmark was the early adopter of Deltek Maconomy when the firm first went live with the system.

"When looking at ERP solutions, one of the biggest advantages of Deltek Maconomy was that it had a clear professional services setup," said Thomas. "So, from timesheet to balance sheet, you don't lose anything."

"We identified that the system was the best way to manage our projects, so, over time, more and more Devoteam offices switched to Deltek Maconomy," Thomas tells us. "Now our divisions in Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and Austria are all onboarded onto the system, and it supports our business in the most reliable and excellent way."

Moving to The Cloud – Innovation, Increased Security and Reliability

When Devoteam first implemented Deltek Maconomy, it used the system on-premises. However, the business decided to make the move to the Deltek Cloud, where it can benefit from regular software updates, innovative features and the support of the Deltek Cloud team.

"We moved to the Deltek Cloud because it was a specialized environment with a clear focus on the Maconomy product," says Thomas. "We find the Deltek Cloud safe and reliable – and it makes economic sense to have everything in one place."

Some benefits that Devoteam has experienced since their move to the cloud include:

• Scalability and Flexibility: The Deltek Cloud allows Devoteam to easily scale their operations up or down based on business needs without the hassle of managing physical hardware.
• Access to Software Upgrades: Devoteam benefits from access to the latest software upgrades, ensuring they always have the most up-to-date features and enhancements.
• Enhanced Collaboration: With cloud-based access and multiple offices now using the system, teams can collaborate more effectively from different locations, ensuring seamless project management and communication.
• Enhanced Security: The Deltek Cloud offers robust disaster recovery solutions, ensuring that Devoteam's data is protected.

Consolidated Project Management and Accounting in the Cloud

Now that Devoteam has Deltek Maconomy in the cloud running in multiple offices, the team can clearly see its benefits.

From a finance perspective, Thomas found one of the real advantages is that the team can run local and group charts of accounts simultaneously. "That process is well supported by Deltek Maconomy and is something that we really like," Thomas explains. "It gives us a lot of support and makes things easy to manage. For example, we can change something in the group that can be easily aligned with the local charts based on country-specific requirements."

Deltek Maconomy also offers powerful functionality for project managers and consultants. "We try to make it as easy as possible for project managers and consultants to use Deltek Maconomy to keep projects running smoothly," says Thomas. "There are a lot of options and capabilities available for everyone to use and explore. We also offer support on the back end to help project managers and consultants use other areas of Maconomy appropriately for their role."

The Benefits of a Long-Standing Relationship with Deltek

Throughout implementation, onboarding and ongoing operations, the Deltek team has been available to help Devoteam maximize the use of its ERP.

"Deltek Maconomy works best when you have experts to support it," explains Thomas. "Deltek provided us with support for any changes or onboarding. We always met people who were polite, knowledgeable and supportive."

Devoteam also commented on the responsiveness and expertise of the Deltek Maconomy team and their reaction to any concerns during implementation.

"The response was very impressive," says Thomas. "And it was reassuring to know there was a large team behind the scenes taking care of us."

Three Tips to Help Other Businesses Find the Right Cloud ERP

Thomas shares some advice for similar businesses looking to implement a new ERP or migrate their current setup to the cloud.

1. Make sure the ERP is appropriate for your company's needs

Choosing the right ERP system is crucial for the success of your business operations. It's important to evaluate different solutions based on your company's specific needs and size. Conducting a thorough analysis, such as creating a pros and cons list for each potential product, can help in making an informed decision.

"Find the right approach for the size of your business, do a pros and cons list on each product, and find the one that your business is ready to handle."

2. Take your time to get it right

Implementing an ERP system requires careful planning and execution. Rushing through the implementation can lead to mistakes and operational inefficiencies. Instead, take the time to thoroughly understand the system and ensure it is set up correctly.

"Work diligently and thoroughly to avoid mistakes and achieve more reliable operations, especially if you're a bigger company with more flexibility and do not race to keep up with the market. Once you have it set up and onboarded correctly, it works great."

3. If you're using Deltek ERP on-premises, now is the time to move to the cloud

Transitioning to the cloud can offer significant advantages, including enhanced security, reliability and access to expert support. By moving to the Cloud, businesses can ensure that dedicated professionals manage their systems, allowing them to focus more on their core activities and customer needs. This shift can also lead to cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

"Keep the systems where the dedicated experts are so they can look after them properly. With Deltek Cloud, we get a safe backyard so we can focus on our customers instead of our own systems."

Take Your Business Management to the Next Level with Deltek

Many companies like Devoteam are using Deltek Maconomy in the Cloud to streamline and simplify project management.

Discover how your business can use Deltek Maconomy to enhance productivity and ensure every project you undertake runs smoothly and successfully.

Source: Devoteam's Transition to Deltek Maconomy in the Cloud