Upgrading to Deltek Vision Overview

We are in the process of converting a Deltek Advantage 8.0e installation to Deltek Vision 6.1. The existing Advantage accounting system runs on a client server based system, where Vision is a web app and is module based. Modules are available for many different aspects of business including Accounting, Purchasing, Project Management, HR, and Marketing. Vision is based on the .net framework version 3.5. The migration is being pushed based on several factors, but we also anticipate benefits of the software:

1. Deltek's elimination of future upgrades and support of the Advantage product.



2. The need to push more information electronically to our project managers and executive team.



3. Data connection between Vision for software such as Excel and Word



4. new to us Expense Keeping



5. Dashboard views customizable per user

Another future possibility for us is to add the Marketing (CRM) module to help tie our Marketing efforts with client projects. We currently utilize Deltek CRM which is a sister product to Deltek Advantage. Our use of CRM is limited and further analysis of the benefits and use of a CRM module would need to be done.

We looked at several different systems in our evaluation process including: Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, and several SAS (software as a service) options. Deltek Vision was recommended for several reasons including: familiarity with the interface, project based business focus, industry leader for AE firms. SAS options were typically too high in cost for a firm of our size (75 people). Systems such as MS Dynamics and SAP were eliminated because we really need something that is somewhat pre-built as opposed to configure based on your needs.

To support the Vision system we have purchased 2 new servers and will phase out one aging server. We will be using a Dell R710 running Windows 2008 Server 64 bit to host the SQL 2008 database and provide reporting services, and a Dell R610 running Windows 2008 Server 32 bit to provide the web application and process services. We are taking advantage of our EMC CX300 SAN to host storage and we added 1.5 TB of disk space in conjunction with the other hardware. Additionally we will add a new LTO 4 Tape drive system for backup. Our existing LTO 3 Tape system will be brought to our second office.