NUMA Manufacturing
Solution: Production costing and Planning
Client: Flour mill
We were engaged to develop a planning solution for one of the largest integrated wheat buying, flour milling and marketing organisation in South East Asia. The client possesed mill operations across the South-East Asia region.
Previously, the financial planning for the mills and stock levels were preformed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. However, there were limitations to the spread sheets to cater for product costing due to variability of exchange rates, changing wheat prices and moving stock levels.
The planning solution was developed using IBM Cognos TM1 software platform. The solution entailed the production costing and planning of raw materials for input and blending them at the mills. The solution also included a pricing model for each product produced by the mills.
We also developed a reporting module, which includes standard reports and dashboards as well as remote and offline key-in templates for the organisation's distant offices.
Solution: Hydrocarbon Fiscal Economics
Client: Oil and gas
We were engaged to develop a solution to analyse the financial results of production sharing contracts ("PSC"), as well as to provide automation to some of the financial processes of the unit responsible for managing the hydrocarbon reserves of the country.
We developed the solution on the IBM Cognos TM1 software platform. The users are able to produce reports and analyse financial results for over 100 different PSCs and more than 30 contractors. The solution enables the users to perform sensitivity and scenario analysis based on the different permutations of costs, production volumes and prices affecting different types of PSCs.
Another feature of the solution is that it enables the electronic submission of audited financial reports by contractors. Contractors are able to integrate their systems to the submission templates provided via the solution. The solution also includes an auto-generation capability of documents, reports and letters pertaining to the PSCs.
We also developed a data repository of historical financial results of the PSCs entered into by the corporation since its inception.
Solution: Hydrocarbon Fiscal Economics
Client: Oil & Gas Multinational
We were tasked to upgrade the company's hydrocarbon fiscal economics model. As part of the exercise, we were required to amalgamate the duplicating fiscal models into a single version for internal and external reporting.
Previously, the users were unable to collaborate in calculating the entitlements. Data from various sources had to be manually fed into the respective spreadsheets. Furthermore, the multiple versions of the hydrocarbon fiscal models, even though for differing purposes, had errors and inconsistencies.
The solution that we developed managed to overcome the above challenges. It improved automation by integrating data from production allocation, accounting and pricing systems into the solution.
Users have used the output of the solution for the external reporting, in producing financial statements of the company, as well as for planning purposes. Furthermore, users can perform analytics and 'what-if' scenarios on the solution.
Solution: Pipeline transmission economics
Client: Gas supplier
We were tasked to develop an automated cost model solution for a gas transmission and operator of a multinational oil & gas company.
Previously, the gas transmission cost allocation was performed using spread sheets.
We developed an automated cost model solution, using IBM Cognos TM1. The TM1 Rules engine enabled the inclusion and running of allocation formulas, hence enabling the company to perform driver-based product cost allocations by customers. Another requirement of the solution was to integrate the accounting data as a periodic input into the solution.
Solution: Financial Capital Reporting
Client: LNG producer
We were tasked to enhance the client's financial reporting process for their group of companies, by developing a financial reporting process for their group of companies, a financial reporting solution based on the IBM Cognos TM1 software platform.
The solution enabled automation of the client's financial reporting process. It has enabled better reporting to the management, the board of directors and holding companies. It also provides ease in preparation of ad hoc reporting. In addition, the solution provides a centralised database repository for financial and operational data, facilitates multi-dimensional analysis as well as interactive reporting for all levels of users.
Solution: Power plant economics
Client: Power generation
We were tasked to develop a cost model solution for a power generating unit of an oil and gas major for its integrated petrochemical complex.
The existing cost allocation for the producing utilities such as power and steam was performed using Lotus spread sheets. This posed a few problems to the company, as the spread sheets are subjected to human errors, i.e. improper insertion of data, macros executed incorrectly, accidental deletion of data and many more. Furthermore, there is lack of vendor support as Lotus SmartSuite has been discontinued.
Another challenge that we encountered was on developing the algorithms for allocation of resources, whereby a portion of the final by-product is fed back again into the production process as a resource, thereby creating a perceived infinite looping condition.
We developed an automated cost model solution for the organisation, using IBM Cognos TM1. This enabled our client to perform driver -based product cost allocations, which allowed tracing a product's cost from all direct and indirect costs incurred. The solution was extended further to enable users to analyse the profitability of products.
The solution also allows the users to perform multi-dimensional analysis, without tedious rebuilding of reports. Another key achievement was the reduction in the allocation processing time in deriving the allocated costs.
Solution: Hydrocarbon Upstream Planning
Client: Oil & Gas Multinational
We were tasked to build an upstream planning solution. The solution was developed using the IBM Cognos TM1 software platform. The solution enabled users to facilitate data management of the budgeting process, whereby data input is distributed via offline templates and data is aggregated at a centralised level. It also provides a data repository of planning data.
The planning model was developed on a multidimensional platform, whereby users can easily build analytical reports and develop 'what-if' scenarios. We also built in business formula within the solution, resulting in the planning model to be more of a driver based model, so as to gain greater accuracy on the company's projected results.
Solution: Engineering Cost Planning
Client: Oil & Gas
We were engaged to develop a cost and schedule database for an engineering department responsible for planning and managing oil & gas platforms.
We developed the solution on the IBM Cognos TM1 software platform. The solution enables users to add or update oil & gas project information and cost. The solution also allows users to perform benchmarking across projects and perform scenario planning.
Solution: Economics data management
Client: A central bank
We developed a solution to facilitate the management of its economic data sets as well as enable users to perform reporting and various analytics based on its economics analytics framework.
We used the IBM Cognos TM1 software platform for the development of an economic data management solution. In developing the solution, we were required to extract data from more than 17 different data sources, ranging from various relational databases, OLAP cubes of differing software platforms, text files, flat files, and Microsoft Excel worksheets. The solution also required for the inclusion of data input mechanisms to be built for data gathered by the Bank's economist, which were not contained in any electronic format.
The project involved the migration of their existing economics data warehouse into the TM1 software platform.
We also developed an economics dashboard comprising of more than 60 indicators for the senior management and the automation of the periodic reports which are available on the Bank's website.
Solution: Investment Risk Analytics
Client: Retirement fund management organisation
We collaborated with Riskmetrics Inc and Wilshire Associates in completing the engagement, IBM Cognos TM1 ("TM1") was positioned as the investment risk data mart, as well as the reporting engine to the risk and performance attribution results computed by the Riskmetrics and Wilshire engines.
The solution entailed extracting data from multiple investment systems and market data providers into TM1. TM1 provided the repository of investment data and position information on its investment portfolio. Thereafter, these data were transformed to be fed into the risk and performance attribution engines.
This enabled users to prepare analytical reports required for investment risk reporting and monitoring. The solution also allows the organisation to analyse the risk adjusted profitability of the respective asset classes, securities and traders.
We also built a solution to track the fund's exposure limit on stocks, as well as its total investment exposure on group of investee companies and individuals.
Solution: Budgeting and Planning
Client: Document management
We were tasked to build and deploy a financial planning solution for the company using IBM Cognos TM1 software.
The solution enabled users to perform in-depth analysis of their periodic financial reporting results and develop financial budget numbers for the company. Furthermore, those results are shared to their Asia Pacific headquarters for consolidation.
Solution: Risk and Performance Attribution
Client: Pension Fund
We developed a risk management solution to assess and monitor risk exposure on a periodic basis.
The solution was based on the Arbitrage Pricing Theory model for the calculation of Value-at-Risk and performance attribution numbers. Investment funds position data and market data of the organisation's investment portfolio are uploaded on a fortnightly basis to produce the portfolio risk management reports and risk adjusted performance attribution reports. The portfolio risk management reports contained the equity and fixed income risk calculations.
Solution: Production costing and Planning
Client: Flour mill
We were engaged to develop a planning solution for one of the largest integrated wheat buying, flour milling and marketing organisation in South East Asia. The client possesed mill operations across the South-East Asia region.
Previously, the financial planning for the mills and stock levels were preformed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. However, there were limitations to the spread sheets to cater for product costing due to variability of exchange rates, changing wheat prices and moving stock levels.
The planning solution was developed using IBM Cognos TM1 software platform. The solution entailed the production costing and planning of raw materials for input and blending them at the mills. The solution also included a pricing model for each product produced by the mills.
We also developed a reporting module, which includes standard reports and dashboards as well as remote and offline key-in templates for the organisation's distant offices.
Solution: Credit Scoring
Client: Building society
We were tasked to build a credit scoring model for its mortgage financing business.
In developing the model, we had to extract and cleanse the data relating to mortgage loans. Thereafter, the parameters best representing the default probability of the loans were statistically derived. There parameters were then assigned with scores, so as to ascertain the likelihood of default for new loan applications.
We enabled the building society to transition from a judgement-based credit scoring approach to a more data driven and statistical-based credit scoring approach, via the solution that we developed. This has resulted in greater accuracy in assessing a potential customer, to support the decision in granting applicants's credit.
Solution: Risk and Performance Attribution
Client: Investment manager
Our project at a local investment management company involved the development of a risk solution, using the Expectation Maximisation model engine.
The solution contained several performance attibution features, which are included together with the risk analytics. Other features included together with the risk analytics. Other features include reporting capabilities for the investment managers of the company.
The solution enabled the client to monitor the performance of its finds periodically, as well as able to assess the risk exposure of the respective funds placed under it. Furthermore, it helped the organisation in managing the risks that it has undertaken and assures its clients of the security of their fund placements.
Solution: Financial reporting
Client: Bank
We were tasked to develop a financial reporting solution for a bank, in view of their intention to automate the financial reporting process.
The project entailed the extraction of the General Ledger (GL) accounting information, whixh contains the aggregated accounts balances, as well as data from 5 other banking systems.
The solution enabled the reconcilation of balances between the banking systems and the GL accounting system to determine whether the extraction was correctly performed. The solution also included a cost allocation feature. Finally we developed a segmented financial profit and loss statement by business units. We also built a financial reporting dashboard as part of the solution.
The Bank managed to automate a significant portion of the process and reduce the financial reporting cycle to 5 days after period end, with the use of our solution. Prior to the our engagement, the Finance Department was having difficulties in producing a segmented financial report by business unis, as it took them close to 3 weeks and with less accuracy in order to do so.
Solution: Dashboard
Client: Government agency
We were engaged by the fisheries development board to develop a dashboard solution for the strategic monitoring of fisheries activities in Malaysia.
We were engaged by the fisheries development board to develop a dashboard solution for the strategic monitoring of fisheries activities in Malaysia.
The solution entailed extraction and aggregation of data from various internal databases, so that they are presented on a dashboard for the management and board.
Solution: Budgeting and planning
Client: Pharmaceutical
At the Malaysian operation of this pharmaceutical giant, we were tasked to deploy a financial reporting, budgeting and planning solution using IBM Cognos TM1 software platform.
Solution: Financial reporting
Client: Logistics
The customer is a well renowned global logistics company. We were engaged by one of its global technology centres in Malaysia which serves users across Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and African countries.
The project involved the delivery of the IBM Cognos TM1 software platform for the company's financial reporting solution. The solution was deployed to users across the region, as well as countries in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, through its office in Cyberjaya.
