- Web enablement to target internal HR and Finance functions:
- CGI and PricewaterhouseCoopers to plan and implement system
- Web-centric services expected to generate $35 - $40 million in annual savings by 2003
Bell Canada announced today an initiative that will accelerate the company's drive to become a fully web-enabled company in serving the needs of its customers, suppliers and employees.
Targeting internal functions associated with human resource management and finance, Bell Canada?s Enterprise Services system and processes will be developed by systems integrator CGI and PricewaterhouseCoopers. On an ongoing basis, the maintenance and operation of the system will be managed by CGI, and the hardware will be provided by Hewlett-Packard. Based on SAP enterprise software, the system represents an infrastructure that will support the web enablement of Bell's internal processes. For example, it will allow Bell employees to directly manage and update portions of their own personnel files. In the finance application, Enterprise Services will introduce a company-wide system for the management and reporting of functions such as accounts receivable, cash management and general accounting.
"This initiative is significant for us on a number of fronts," said Michael Sabia, Vice Chair - Corporate at Bell, and President of Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. "It will allow us to improve our internal financial governance by facilitating faster and more thorough reporting and analysis--initially at Bell Canada and eventually across all BCE companies."
Bell Canada has made significant progress in transforming itself into an Internet, or web-based, company," he said. "This new system will empower Bell employees by giving them greater direct control over their personnel files; and it will result in $35 to $40 million per year in ongoing cost reductions beginning in 2003."
"CGI will be breaking new ground in developing this Enterprise Services system," said Michael Roach, President, CGI Canada and Europe."In addition to the more than $200 million in incremental revenue it represents for us during a 10-year period, this initiative expands CGI's scope of services to the BCE family and further strengthens our relationship with Bell Canada. This project reconfirms our breadth and depth in web-based technologies and, positions us to attract new business based on our expertise."
"This important initiative leverages PricewaterhouseCoopers core strengths in enterprise systems and e-business, in which we are a global leader," said Michael Stoneham, Leader, Management Consulting Services for Canada. "Of most importance to PricewaterhouseCoopers, however, is that we can apply these capabilities to help create significant value for Bell Canada, a key relationship client of our firm."
The Enterprise Services initiative is part of Bell's goal to move internal processes to web-based applications to make Bell a leader in the use of its own core technologies and to create ongoing savings to the corporation. For example:
- The management of the benefits program for the majority of Bell employees is web-enabled, letting employees pick and chose their own tailored benefits package via the company's intranet site.
- Bell's customer-focussed web site, Bell.ca, gives customers advanced transactional capabilities and is a growing source of customer traffic into the company.
- Certen was created earlier this year to migrate Bell's various billing systems onto a common billing platform that will give customers a single monthly bill and greater flexibility in how they receive their bills.
- One Contact service introduced in May allows customers to visit a single web site, or call a single telephone number, to order or obtain specialized information on all of Bell's products and services.
"Our focus is to web-enable virtually every aspect of the business in order to deliver integrated services to our customers under the vision of one customer, one company, one brand," said Mr. Sabia. "We have a number of other initiatives under way within the company to web-enable internal functions such as procurement, expense account management and travel planning and booking. These and other initiatives will continue to permanently drive costs out of the business as they empower our employees in the same manner we seek to empower our customers."
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is the fifth largest independent information technology services firm in North America, based on its headcount of more than 10,000 professionals. CGI's order backlog totals approximately US$5.3 billion (CDN$8.2 billion) and its revenue run-rate is close to US$1 billion (CDN$1.5 billion). CGI provides end-to-end IT services and business solutions to 2,500 clients in the United States, Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. CGI's shares are listed on the NYSE (GIB), as well as on the TSE (GIB.A). They are included in the Toronto Stock Exchange's TSE 300 index as well as the S&P/TSE Canadian Information Technology index. Web site: www.cgi.ca.
About Bell Canada
Bell Canada, Canada's national leader for communications in the Internet world, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless voice and data communications, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business solutions, local and long distance phone and directory services. Bell Canada is owned by BCE Inc of Montréal (80%) and by SBC Communications Inc. of San Antonio, Texas (20%). For more information please visit www.bell.ca
About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is the world?s largest professional services organization. Drawing on the knowledge and skills of more than 150,000 people in 150 countries, we help our clients solve complex business problems and measurably enhance their ability to build value, manage risk and improve performance in an Internet-enabled world. In Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its related entities have more than 5,900 partners and staff and offices in 26 locations. PricewaterhouseCoopers refers to the Canadian firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and other member firms of the worldwide PricewaterhouseCoopers organization.
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For further information:
Catherine Hudon
Bell Canada
(416-581-3311)
Ronald White
CGI Communications
(514-841-3230)
Nicholas Greenfield
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
(416-941-8383 Ext. 66785)
