Two different products about to be generally released illustrate the different processes that can lead to the development of new functionality to benefit all COINS customers. Regular roadmap planning and client development partnerships are both essential components of COINS’ continuing commitment to meeting the challenges of its chosen sector.

OA Commercial Manager has been developed as a result of standard ‘Roadmap’ planning through which the whole suite of available existing COINS modules is reviewed to ensure that they meet clients’ current and changing needs in terms of technology and functionality, based on feedback directly from our clients and through our account managers and consultants.

 Essentially, OA Commercial Manager is the replacement for the current Valuations (known as ‘Site Manager’ in Australia) module and includes bill of quantities import, subcontract packaging, valuations (including internal valuations, applications and certification), variation management, including subcontract and client variation, and links to commercials for the Cost Value Reconciliation process.

 OA Workflow was developed as the result of a problem identified by a specific client.

Connaught, a long-term COINS’ client, has recently purchased the COINS-etc. capability to manage their large number of supplier transactions electronically, matching purchase requisitions, GRNs and supplier invoices. Having achieved this they then wanted to take any ‘problem documents’ from COINS-etc. (e.g. invoice details not matching GRNs) and manage them through their main COINS ERP system.

 Working alongside the Connaught team, COINS consultants and developers installed the COINS CIM document management module, defined the processes and developed the workflows. Based on this, problem invoices from COINS-etc. can now be managed through the OA workbench alongside all other database transactions.