Prism Construction Management Software Review: Suncor Energy (1 of 2)

Categories: Job Cost Accounting

User Review

DarrenCyr
4

Company Suncor Energy
Web http://www.suncor.com
Experience 10 years
Tools Used AutoCAD, Prism, SAP, Microsoft Project
Overall User Rating 4
Views 1249
Votes 3

Review Summary

By streamlining job cost accounting, analysis and control, enabling change-management methodologies, and integrating with SAP's cost-tracking and purchasing solution, Ares Corp.'s Prism proved beneficial to Suncor Energy, an oil and gas company with headquarters in Calgary.

"Prism takes cost-control to a new level. It allows for the systematic breakdown of the project to the best possible level of definition, and tracks and reports the project at that level. This has made it much easier to report information on large projects," said Darren Cyr, who includes Prism in his tool belt of software applications for his job at Suncor.

Prism's sales representatives worked with Suncor's internal information technology group to create custom documentation, which further enabled its employees to tap into the solution's features and capabilities. Suncore has benefited from many of these capabilites, but one feature that is not used is Prism's construction cost estimating functionality, partly because additional training is required, added Cyr.

Cyr rated Prism an 8 out of 10.

Full Review

How long have you been using this tool?: 

I have used Prism for two years.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?: 

In 1967, Suncor pioneered commercial development of the oil sands. Since then, Suncor has grown to become a major North American energy producer and marketer. I am involved in process-related projects, typically involving building construction to support process improvements, additions and expansions.

Where did you obtain it?: 

The companies I work for typically have large IT departments that look after the software purchase and installation. Most of our software would have been purchased directly from the developers.

How much did you pay?: 

I do not know.

How are you using this product?: 

Prism is interfaced with SAP to obtain commitment and invoice information. Prism functions as our standard job cost accounting and reporting tool on major projects. We are now experimenting with using Prism for cash-flow forecasting.

Why did you pick this product?: 

Prism was selected as a project controls tool in a very complex, major project environment. Prism streamlines job cost accounting, analysis and control, and also provides a change-management methodology.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one?: 

Most of the functionality of Prism is also available in SAP. Using SAP alone was under consideration but the company felt that Prism ultimately provided greater functionality and reporting.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed? : 

Prism takes job cost accounting to a new level. It allows for the systematic breakdown of the project to the best possible level of definition, and tracks and reports the project at that level. This has made it much easier to report information on large projects.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?: 

On a project of more than $10 billion, Prism was very useful in allowing each account to be tracked and reported separately. It is a very powerful cost-tracking tool.

Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?: 

I cannot quantify the savings, but I would say that Prism saves us significant money in project costs and resources by improving job cost accounting, tracking and control, and streamlining project controls labor.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?: 

Prism's project controls are outstanding.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?: 

Yes.

What would you change about the product if you could?: 

I would improve the interfaces between Prism and SAP.

Are there features that you don't use?: 

I don't use the construction cost estimating functionality, partly because additional training is required.

Who would you recommend use this tool?: 

I would recommend Prism for people involved in project controls and project managers.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?: 

I think about five years of experience.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?: 

Yes, but I mostly learned through hands-on training.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help?: 

No, I have not called them.

How would you rate the user documentation? : 

It is quite good, as it was prepared by our company and Prism representatives for our specific usage.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?: 

Yes.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?: 

8

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