Applying Total Quality Management in a Joint Venture Environment: Computerization of the Billing Process from Inception to End Product

摘要

Last year Messrs. Arthur J. Hadnett and Mike Ariew presented a paper on the benefits of an electronic timekeeping system. This presentation takes us to the next step. Once we have electronic time data, how can it be utilized and integrated with other databases? What are the cost/benefit tradeoffs with the computerization of the billing process in a joint-venture enterprise of 300 or more staff members and anywhere from five to ten employers? What steps must be taken to coordinate with the staff of the JV's information system and accounting departments and with management of the different employers? On a regular basis, the employers electronically download and review their data. At the joint venture site, some of the data bases involved are the electronic time sheet's time data, Human Resources' employee records for pay rate and employee status, and a table of the employer firm's overhead rates. What goes into the development of a team to handle the day-to-day review/support of the process?Various controls and processes have been developed to maintain data integrity. The aforementioned databases are merged electronically with electronic invoice data from subconsultants, as well as other direct costs in the accounting package. Extraction of data and report generation is by means of the accounting package's report writer or ODBC driver.The monetary and time benefits continue to be positive as the system is further refined. More enhancements continue to be developed with slight modifications of programming and procedures.