1. Meyers Norris Penny Diana Waterman Alex Gerlyand Bilal Rana Adeyemi Adewumi Roberto Furletti Practice Management System

2. Outline Company Overview/History Company Overview/History The Problem The Problem Information Aspect of the Problem Information Aspect of the Problem IT/IS Aspect of the Problem IT/IS Aspect of the Problem Alternatives Alternatives Analyses of Alternatives Analyses of Alternatives The Preferred Solution The Preferred Solution Key messages for leaders Key messages for leaders Board Room Setting

3. Overview/History Est. 1945 Brandon, MB Est. 1945 Brandon, MB Accounting and Advisory Services Accounting and Advisory Services Strategic service expansion in 2000 towards consulting Strategic service expansion in 2000 towards consulting As of 2001 As of 2001 ~75 full and PT Offices (BC to Ontario) ~75 full and PT Offices (BC to Ontario) ~1000 employees -135 Partners, 900 staff ~1000 employees -135 Partners, 900 staff Ranked 7 in Canada Ranked 7 in Canada Today Today 2200 employees 2200 employees Financially healthy – 10x growth last several years (case date) Financially healthy – 10x growth last several years (case date) 2000 – $70 M in Revenues (40% over previous year) 2000 – $70 M in Revenues (40% over previous year) As at 2001 more growth and expansion forecast in non-traditional services (i.e. IT Consulting) As at 2001 more growth and expansion forecast in non-traditional services (i.e. IT Consulting) **Reputation as an Innovator in technology with a pioneer spirit **Reputation as an Innovator in technology with a pioneer spirit Developed in-house PM solution second to none in the period Developed in-house PM solution second to none in the period

4. The Problem MNP is faced with the decision of whether to replace the company's PM system with a PC based system or continue to upgrade the existing VAX system as needs arise MNP is faced with the decision of whether to replace the company's PM system with a PC based system or continue to upgrade the existing VAX system as needs arise Both an operational and strategic issue Both an operational and strategic issue OPS – maintaining obsolescence OPS – maintaining obsolescence Client service applications run in the PC environment Client service applications run in the PC environment Administration applications run in the VAX environment Administration applications run in the VAX environment STRAT – Future growth of MNP and add’l needs *** STRAT – Future growth of MNP and add’l needs *** IT consulting growth in particular IT consulting growth in particular

5. Information Aspects of Problem MNP 100% dependent on IT based info System performance is key to operations Real-time or “near” real time info has shown to be important factor i.e. Time sheet accuracy/timeliness Information quantity is assured to grow over time – MNP plans on growing. (Since the writing of the case, they have expanded further west into BC)

6. IT/IS Aspects of the Problem System scalability and flexibility key to MNP growth strategy IT/IS system trends in the marketplace – related to obsolescence management MNP as an Innovator Staffing, technical and logistic difficulties of running on two platforms

7. Meyers Norris Penny Executive Meeting Agenda Welcome Practice Management System Presentation Other Business Adjournment

8. Alex VAX Option Pros Pros Our system has transcended beyond VAX The customized VAX based system has been a role- model in the industry The VAX based PM application is part of our competitive advantage Easy system upgrades Developing and migrating to a PC based platform will be expensive

9. Alex VAX Option Cons Cons Less intuitive for users system than a PC based system Impending VAX obsolescence

10. VAX

11. VAX

12. VAX

13. Cons VAX system at end of lifecycle. VAX system at end of lifecycle. VAX unable to support growth plans. VAX unable to support growth plans. General migration toward PC platforms. General migration toward PC platforms. Bilal - VAX

14. S-Curve VAX PC

15. Bilal - PC Option Pros Pros By acting proactively, we won’t be caught off- guard dealing with the sudden obsolescence of our VAX infrastructure. By acting proactively, we won’t be caught off- guard dealing with the sudden obsolescence of our VAX infrastructure. As early adopters of new technology, by the time the technology matures, MNP will have developed some expertise in it. As early adopters of new technology, by the time the technology matures, MNP will have developed some expertise in it. Existing functionality can be ported into PC environment Existing functionality can be ported into PC environment

16. Bilal - PC Option Pros Pros Every MNP employee has a PC Every MNP employee has a PC MNP already largely PC based MNP already largely PC based Staff are already accustomed to PC based applications Staff are already accustomed to PC based applications Quality of commercial accounting applications has improved Quality of commercial accounting applications has improved Important & required information is generated by applications designed for PC platforms. Important & required information is generated by applications designed for PC platforms.

17. Bilal - PC Option Cons Cons It will take time & investment to customize existing commercial applications to adequately replace VAX functionality It will take time & investment to customize existing commercial applications to adequately replace VAX functionality VAX allows global updates in under 5 minutes. This is not yet possible with PC. VAX allows global updates in under 5 minutes. This is not yet possible with PC. MNP users satisfied & proficient with VAX MNP users satisfied & proficient with VAX

18. Decision Criteria Allow for continuous innovation Platform must support new client applications and internal functions Long-term cost to run the system Stability of the system Maintain a Practice Management System Staff Training requirements Ease of ongoing support Must be expandable/scalable Support paperless office environment End user satisfaction

19. Decision – PC Environment VAX technology is obsolete – continuing investment will be costly VAX technology is obsolete – continuing investment will be costly Provides a platform to continue to innovate into the future. Provides a platform to continue to innovate into the future. New industry applications run on PCs New industry applications run on PCs Cost Benefit of migration in the long run Cost Benefit of migration in the long run Support for PC environment is less expensive Support for PC environment is less expensive Maintaining the skill set for VAX will be difficult as the industry moves away from supporting this platform Maintaining the skill set for VAX will be difficult as the industry moves away from supporting this platform All staff currently have a PC or laptop so no add’l investment All staff currently have a PC or laptop so no add’l investment

20. VOTE

21. MNP Solution (Info from O’Brien-Moran) PC Environment Implemented Time and Billing S/W re-written in PC Customized S/W allowed tailored data gathering and robust data mining capability Data also used for CRM Standardized work procedures – no need to re-invent the wheel

22. Key Messages Manage Obsolescence – Do not let it manage you/your company (S-Curve) Manage Obsolescence – Do not let it manage you/your company (S-Curve) IT strategy must be in line with organizational strategy IT strategy must be in line with organizational strategy Make the change while you can manage the transition – not when you reach a crisis Make the change while you can manage the transition – not when you reach a crisis If you want to be known as an innovator, you need to be on the leading edge of that technology and ‘Best In Class’ at applying it If you want to be known as an innovator, you need to be on the leading edge of that technology and ‘Best In Class’ at applying it