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Implementation

Our implementation methodology is the only one in the industry that respects the fact that you have to keep your daily business running while you prepare to upgrade to SigmaCommerce. It is structured so your employees can be engaged and motivated about the new system without losing their focus on their daily jobs. It is also the only methodology that includes tools to help you prepare, implement and evaluate the implementation. From the day after you sign a contract, we work together on a comprehensive project plan that does not end the day you activate the software – it is a plan for our long term partnership.

In the 25 years we have been in the business we have never had a failed implementation and we never will. Below is a brief outline of the seven steps that have proven to be the key to our clients’ ongoing success.

Plan

Even before we have become business partners, Sigma Micro has prepared a project team and a plan to activate SigmaCommerce. There is no “hand-off” from sales to a delivery team that has to start from scratch and inquire about fundamentals of your business – we already know it.

Key Activities:
  • Form project teams
  • Create comprehensive plan
  • Plan modifications

Tool:
  • Critical Business Decisions Document: this document has been in use since our first contact, capturing information about your business processes, metrics and goals so we know your business and don’t ask the same questions over and over again.

Your experience: Your team already knows your business; there is no “handoff” from sales to implementation. We are partners.

Build

We know from experience that in order to be successful, it is best that your hardware and software be set up and configured at Sigma Micro before installing it at your company. This helps us troubleshoot issues at your company and also minimizes disruption to your daily operations.

Key Activities:
  • Setup hardware
  • Install software
  • Test data conversion

Tool:
  • Technical Services Questionnaire: we inquire very early about your company’s software and hardware and give you a report of our recommendations so your infrastructure is ready to go.

Your experience: Your business is not disrupted; the system build is fine-tuned at Sigma Micro.

Install

Only after we have confirmed that the system is ready do we transport it and install it at your company. We teach you the software set up options and work with you to configure the software to maximize the efficiencies of your business processes.

Key Activities:
  • Move hardware on-site
  • Kick-off 12 week implementation cycle
  • Configure software to your business

Tool:
  • Critical Business Decisions Document

Your experience: Configuration unique to you is already mapped out; we know your business.

Educate

We know that you have to keep your day-to-day business going while preparing to use SigmaCommerce so we don’t distract your employees with day-long classes which result in low morale and poor retention. We structure our education courses so that your employees can learn the new system and keep up on their “day job”. We split a full day of on-site classes into two four hour sessions that focus on different specialties, so one staff member can attend the customer management course in the morning and then a different staff member can attend the warehouse management course in the afternoon. This builds cross-functional excitement about the system while making sure you can support your daily operations.

Key Activities:
  • Instruct in 4 hour sessions
  • Read education manuals

Tool:
  • SigmaCommerce Education Manuals: our manuals are written by a documentation specialist with over 17 years experience.

Your experience: Your staff can maintain productivity and experience better retention with multiple shorter classes.

Train

Education is important to know how the software works but training is important so people can do their work. We know from experience that procedures, i.e. the translation of education into written, detailed descriptions of business processes, are the key to a successful implementation. You will document the business procedures and train the end users.

Key Activities:
  • Write business procedures
  • Train end users

Tool:
  • Procedure Writing Toolkit; our kit explains how to write procedures and includes 30 sample procedures. We also provide an electronic copy of the procedures so you can cut and paste to tailor them to your unique business processes.

Your experience: You can easily edit the procedures in the Toolkit to meet your needs; no need to start from scratch.

Activate

When you move your business transactions over to SigmaCommerce, the Sigma Micro project team is on site for one week surrounding the “activation date” to make sure everything goes smoothly. The team includes a dedicated support representative so during your first several weeks when you call in with issues you get someone who knows your business well.

Key Activities:
  • Complete data conversion
  • Activate SigmaCommerce
  • Sigma Micro support person on site

Tool:
  • Executive Checklist: this document has been updated at every step by the executive champion who agrees that each step has been completely satisfactorily. Sigma Micro wants to be sure your expectations are met.

Your experience: You agree expectations were met and feel relaxed knowing you can call a dedicated support representative.

Optimize

We know from experience that the project team must return within one month to fine tune your company setups, review procedural issues, etc. before it is too late. There will always be ways to improve efficiencies and we want to work with you to catch them immediately. This follow-up visit is just the beginning of a long partnership with Sigma Micro. There are advanced education courses, additional technical services and many opportunities to collaborate to promote the future of our companies.

Key Activities:
  • Fine-tune software in follow up visit
  • Increase functionality
  • Advanced education

Tool:
  • ROI Toolkit: it is important to us that you recognize the benefits you have received from investing in SigmaCommerce so we supply you with a Toolkit to help you identify, measure and compare key performance metrics.

Your experience: Your partnership continues with Sigma Micro.

No other multi-channel software company delivers an implementation methodology of this scope, supported by tools that you need to prepare, implement and evaluate SigmaCommerce.


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Sigma Micro Implementation

Our implementation team is very experienced and understands the impact that a new system has on an organization.