Wanted: User-friendly tool for time recording and project controlling
The starting point for the search for a new software tool for time recording and project controlling was dissatisfaction with the existing solution. Joachim Tauscher, founder and CEO of SMART IN OVATION, remembers: “The time recording from the project management system used up to that point was far too complex.” At a trade fair event, he then got to know the ZEP software solution from provantis IT Solutions.
ZEP stands for time recording for projects. The web-based solution has been on the market since 2000 and offers project-oriented companies a complete solution for time recording and reporting, travel expenses, project management and controlling, and invoicing.
“ZEP made a very good impression right from the start. We particularly liked the ease of use and the intuitive user interface. The solution had actually won right away. ”
Joachim Tauscher
Founder and CEO, SMART IN OVATION
And so SMART IN OVATION decided to use ZEP at the beginning of 2014.
Quick overview thanks to graphical presentation and target/actual comparison
SMART IN OVATION uses ZEP to record and structure all projects within the company. “We particularly appreciate the numerous options for graphically presenting individual projects and their progress. In this way, we are always able to get an overview of each individual project and its status at the click of a mouse. The target/actual comparison for each project, which is available in ZEP, also gives us the opportunity to check at a glance whether everything is “in the green zone.” ”
Precise resource and project planning with additional ZEP modules
SMART IN OVATION carries out milestone planning to plan the personnel resources required for individual projects. The corresponding work packages for the respective employees are then derived from this. For this reason, in addition to pure time recording, the company also uses the ZEP additional modules overtime/absenteeism and resource planning. With this combination, it is possible to call up at the push of a button • how long an employee has already worked on a work package, • whether he can still complete his work package and • how heavily he is overwhelmed or even overloaded by the work packages assigned to him. Joachim Tauscher adds:
“Once a week, we use ZEP to create an overview that allows each employee to see what work packages they need to work on in the following week. In return, project management gives us an up-to-date overview of resource allocation and, based on the traffic light system (green/yellow/red) integrated in ZEP, we can immediately see whether and with which project there is a risk of resource bottlenecks.”
Joachim Tauscher
Founder and CEO, SMART IN OVATION
ZEP operating model: software license instead of software subscription
When asked whether ZEP should be subscribed as a cloud service or purchased as a classic license, SMART IN OVATION opted for the latter option. “Swabians don't like subscriptions,” Joachim Tauscher explains the reasons for this decision with a smile. As far as operating the software solution is concerned, however, he decided to host the solution in a certified (ISO 27001, basic IT protection) high-performance data center on a completely redundant, high-availability server cluster in Germany. SMART IN OVATION always receives the latest software updates and technical support from the software provider, provantis IT Solutions GmbH, via a maintenance contract.
Intuitive user interface and graphical presentation score points
“With ZEP, we have achieved our goal of finding a solution for time recording and project controlling that is as user-friendly and intuitive as possible,” says Joachim Tauscher, drawing a satisfied conclusion from the previous use of ZEP.
“The graphical presentation of the individual projects (status, progress, resources) makes it easier for us to overview all ongoing projects. This gives us full control over our projects at all times. ”
Joachim Tauscher
Founder and CEO, SMART IN OVATION
