AAA-Data, which has a staff of 80 employees, collects, maintains and offers consultation of France’s biggest database that lists 40 million people by their automobile purchasing habits. Its partners use this data for customer relation management purposes.
In 2012, AAA-Data gave an account of the ORION tool. We arranged to meet Emmanuel Leprat, its Studies and Statistic Director, to catch up on news of their BRMS-related projects.
- What prompted you to call on EURODECISION in the first place?
In 2010, we were forced to reconsider our data governance by the combined pressures coming from the growth of our business and the increasing demands made by our customers. So after a feasibility study that required considerable input from our business teams, our DSI proposed to roll out an initial business rules management system (BRMS) project that we decided to run with EURODECISION.
While the subject chosen was low-key for the IS, it represented high added-value for the company, as it covered data control by our Quality Cell. The first results were tangible in a very short space of time, and now our users clamor for the ORION tool that the mission delivered.
- After the Quality Cell, it was the Data Qualification Cell that became versed with BRMS tools. What did the second project (MENSA) entail?
It was more ambitious because it was directly connected to our IS. The project focus was to automate the reconciliation of data from multiple sources with the baseline data. The task was previously carried out manually by our Data Qualification Cell. Data consolidation quality improved right from the first months of development. We have been able to automate almost 25% of the team’s workload by using this tool and thus freed up time for the staff to concentrate on higher added-value tasks that demand business expertise.
- What do you see as the strengths of the tools you have developed with EURODECISION?
Prior to implementing the tools, errors would slip through undetected or were not fully corrected. Today the tools not only systematically detect formalized errors through the rules but the same adjustment rules are used by all the relevant staff. The tool makes no mistake when applying the rule; for if an anomaly is detected, the tool is auditable… you just modify a rule or add a new one.
The tools developed with EURODECISION improved our productivity, responsiveness and commitments to lead times. The unexpected benefit is that the staff is more motivated.
- I’d like to pick up on your last point. What enabled you to gather the users round these tools?
EURODECISION created a climate of trust by involving our staff from the word go and guiding them throughout the roll-out. They now see the new working solutions as positive progress in their careers and they are glad to have the opportunity to take on more responsibility.
- Do you intend to take BRMS further?
We are examining a third application field for BRMS tools with the aim, this time, of letting in-house users apply rules to existing data to create new data via a simple interface. If the pilot version currently in development turns out to fit the bill, we will be counting on EURODECISION for the larger-scale launch phase!