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Background

A multi-billion dollar automotive supplier had recently upgraded from PeopleSoft version 7.5 to version 8. Several issues surfaced after the system was in production that negatively impacted the company's ability to accurately complete its month-end close process, including:

• Delivered and custom reports displayed different results.
• A single PeopleSoft application server/batch server environment was being used for different databases (prod, dev, test, demo).
• Some asset cost and depreciation balances were incorrect.

Review & Remediation

Dimension Systems (DSI) reviewed the programs used to generate delivered and custom reports. In PeopleSoft 7.5, SQR programs used base financial tables and the client’s custom reports also used the base tables. In Version 8, PeopleSoft changed SQR programs to use a reporting table rather than the base financial tables. The reporting table is populated by an Application Engine program (AMDPREPT) that extracts data from the base tables. DSI conducted a detailed analysis of the Application Engine program and determined that there were two issues causing the program to extract incorrect data from the base tables:

• The extract program did not account for all transaction types in the database because PeopleSoft no longer supported certain transaction types in version 8 and the program ignored these transactions.
• In prior versions, the Client had entered transactions related to the acquisition of new business units. These transactions involved write-down of cost and accumulated depreciation (referred to as “purchase accounting adjustments”) and were completed using SQL, thus bypassing the application. The transaction type used to enter these transactions used custom code. As a result, the AMDPREPT program did not recognize the codes, resulting in inaccurate reporting.

Dimension Systems modified the code in the AMDPREPT program to correct the discrepancies and informed PeopleSoft that a code fix was required for Issue 1 noted above. Subsequently, PeopleSoft issued a bundle that contained the required code fix.

DSI created separate environments for the application server and the batch server for each database (prod, dev, test, demo) in order to allow program and code changes to be tested without impacting production.

DSI reviewed historical transactions to determine discrepancies that were causing incorrect cost and depreciation balances for certain assets. The review uncovered that the discrepancy was a result of incorrectly processed inter-unit and intra-unit transfers. DSI worked with the users to identify “problem assets” and made corrections to resolve the discrepancy.

Ongoing Support

At the client’s request, Dimension Systems reviewed the effort needed to provide ongoing support for the application. We determined that the client needed support in three areas:

• Daily end-user and production support where we provide help-desk and training for users along with resolution of day-to-day production issues.
• Development and modification of existing processes and reports.
• Applying vendor delivered bundles and updates.

We are able to provide this remote support with one-half person of effort.