CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategy
Along with the traditional cost management and operational excellence drivers, the accelerated availability of enabling technologies and increased market competition is forcing critical strategic thinking on implementing technology to win. There are rarely second chances, so developing a focused vision and plan is a critical first step. W. Capra has significant depth in business experience, pervasive and emerging technologies and vendors, large program and project management experience, and the delivery process - quality assurance and deployment. We will work with you to understand your goals and create a winning strategy underpinned with achievable and properly sequenced plans.
Sourcing
Selecting technology and vendors to deliver and support it is clearly a critical step in implementing your strategy. Starting with a sourcing strategy and executing an efficient, disciplined and fit-for-purpose sourcing process can greatly influence the probability of near-term success and long term optimization of the relationships and the technology. W. Capra has led many sourcing efforts and is frequently consulted on poor vendor relationships and sourcing strategies preventing growth and progress.
Architecture
Operational efficiency and more real-time decision making requires a tighter integration of systems from the consumer or detailed operational process all the way to the ERP system. Also recognizing that companies are not starting from a blank sheet - there is an "as-is" set of applications, developing a go-forward architecture that is practical and leverages your technology strengths and emerging industry standards is very important. W. Capra has solid experience developing retail and manufacturing application architectures, cost effective infrastructure architectures and SAP-centric architectures.
Program/Project Management
Effective program and project leadership requires knowledge and experience in the discipline of project management along with the following "five skills":
- Leadership: the ability to lead people and build teamwork
- Technical Aptitude: a strong knowledge of technology
- Interpersonal Savvy: ability to work with and communicate with a broad range of technical and business people at all levels
- Domain Knowledge: in-depth knowledge of specific industries, functional disciplines
- Knowledge of System-Process Linkages: knowledge of how system capabilities are linked to the execution of critical business processes
W. Capra Program and Project Leaders have these qualities and are recognized as doers – getting the job done correctly.
Quality Assurance
Given the complexity of integrated solutions and critical dependencies of business operations, ensuring that applications work in all operating scenarios is a must. The execution of a robust test plan is a very important step prior to deploying in the field. W. Capra people have experience in building and operating labs for the Retail Petroleum and Quick Service Restaurant industries over the last 20 years, both nationally and internationally. We understand the discipline of quality assurance testing and have significant depth and experience.