As technology evolves and the City of Toledo seeks to maximize our resources, a citywide venture was undertaken to implement SAP/ERP. SAP provides a comprehensive database that city employees can use to store, access, and analyze relevant, real-time information. With updated technology, immediate access to integrated systems, consistent data, and the integration of many city departments, SAP ERP is certain to increase the competence of city operations. The program’s city charter touts that:
“The City of Toledo will achieve greater efficiencies by incorporating best practices and reducing internal costs, as well as improving operational efficiency. This will free COT to focus more on critical business issues, adding value to the organization and most importantly, better serving their citizens.”
The SAP initiative was originally introduced in 2008 and with thorough planning and careful implementation will come to fruition in June of 2010. A great deal of planning was required to gather and load data and to configure, integrate, and test the SAP system in advance of its activation. The power of the system makes training a critical part of the implementation and the city was pleased to introduce the program to users in the summer of 2010. Goals of the SAP/ERP initiative include
· Standardizing all city purchase orders and requisitions;
· Successfully collecting outstanding balances owed to City of Toledo;
· Aligning the city workforce with budgetary goals;
· Extending transactions, information, and collaboration functions to a broader business community; and
· Improving financial controls.
The successful execution of this program is a notable achievement for the City of Toledo. As technology evolves, immediate access to reliable information is vital to our ability to offer constituents the highest possible service available from a local municipality. The implementation of SAP is an important step in the right direction toward this goal.