At a Glance
Name: Rajac Iasi
URL: www.rajaciasi.ro
Region: Central and Eastern Europe
Industry: Utilities
Technology: Microsoft Windows Active Directory 2003, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft ISA 2003, Hummingbird Docs Open, Ultimus, Equisys Zetafax, Oracle
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 Summary
Rajac, the water and sewage public utility serving Romania’s second-largest city, Iasi, turned to Ness Romania to implement an integrated, enterprise-wide information system. Comprised of an Oracle-based ERP, document management, and workflow management system, the tightly integrated solution significantly lowers Rajac’s operating costs. Fully implemented within 18 months, the user-friendly, scalable system gives Rajac personnel easy online access to real-time, reliable enterprise data, leading to improved decision-making and client management.

 Client
Iasi’s water and sewage administration utility, Rajac, is responsible for supplying drinking and industrial water, and operating the sewage system, for Romania’s second-largest city and three towns and five commune centers in the area. Established in 1991, Rajac serves 550,000 people and over 2,500 companies. Rajac is committed to providing the very best service to customers including a continuous water supply, unrestricted service access, and the highest water quality/price ratio. In 2003, Rajac became the first public service company in Romania to obtain a 1st-class license for the supply of water and sewage services. After conducting a three-year evaluation of Rajac, the National Authority for Communal Husbandry Services Regulation (ANRSC), Romania’s monitoring body for communal husbandry services operating under natural monopoly conditions, granted Rajac a five-year operating license in 2006.

 Challenge
In an effort to better utilize company resources and improve customer service, Rajac hired Ness Romania to implement an integrated, enterprise-wide information system. Replacing the company’s legacy insular applications, which lacked the flexibility and connectivity for effective data management and processing, Ness was charged with installing a central ERP system alongside document and workflow management systems. Ness also had to modify the company’s network and communication infrastructure in order to facilitate the simultaneous, online retrieval of real-time data by Rajac personnel throughout the company. Once the system was up and running, Ness had to provide troubleshooting and technical support services to insure continued smooth operations.

 Solution
Ness implemented the information system for Rajac in 18 months. Centered around an Oracle-based ERP system alongside data management and workflow management systems, the tightly integrated solution does not require transfer procedures between applications, thereby lowering operating costs. The user-friendly, scalable system gives Rajac personnel easy online access to real-time, reliable enterprise data, leading to improved decision-making and client management.

The solution is equipped with several modules, including financial accounting, human resources, sales and supply logistics, and maintenance and repairs. The system also features an invoicing module tailored to public utility companies that enables:
• management of client data, meters, branches, supply contracts
• bill issuing, including penalty calculation
• management of cash-ins and debts

Built with an Equisys Zetafax fax server, the solution can generate a wide range of reports, while significantly decreasing document printing and distribution costs. Featuring centralized document management capabilities, the system enables easy access to an array of document types located throughout Rajac, thereby reducing processing time and resources dramatically.

Ness also worked closely with Rajac’s IT department to define the system’s communications network infrastructure. Following a jointly conducted audit, Ness discovered a range of network-related problems including data transmission and security, network management, traffic flow, and network resource access. As a result, Ness modified the company’s network topology with Microsoft Windows Active Directory 2003 technology. In addition, Ness created a new messaging and security system infrastructure, and helped Rajac upgrade its hardware and licensing system.
 
Besides implementing the system, Ness imported legacy data into the new system, trained Rajac personnel, assisted with the testing and going-live phases, provided post-implementation technical support, and offered portal assistance so the company could obtain ISO 9001/2000 certification.

 Benefits
• Integrated resource planning
• Improved customer service
• Stronger customer loyalty
• Enhanced data security
• Increased productivity
• Reduced operating costs
• Improved profitability

 Testimonial
“Our new information system has helped us move to a higher level, by giving our personnel, wherever they may be located, easy access to a wide range of data. As a result, we not only incur lower operating costs, but also enjoy higher productivity and profitability.”
Ion Toma, General Manager at Rajac