THE Procon team is introducing new data-enquiring tools that will gather required information from several databases.

“Global View allows our application users to access information across a number of databases, highlighting issues and opportunities never previously possible,” says Robert Chambers, Business Manager of Procon. One example will be a link to SABRE so that users can view the Master Project Schedule and contractors on-site as an aide for future planned access. This is vital for the partnership success of the new businesses.”

Full service: the Procon team. In the back row (l-r) are Angella Ruffell, Anne Hyatt, Chris Forster, Steve Thomas, Tony Jaggard, Simon Joyce, Dave Woolley, Robert Chambers, Sharon Murray, Alan Cliff. Seated in the front left are Suzanne O’Farrell and Louise Coppard. Paul Fallon is not pictured.

He continues: “We hope that the only limitation to the businesses in utilising this technology is their imagination. We need to stop thinking about how things were done in the past, and ask how can we use this intelligence to our benefit.

“The users may want to link to other databases,” says Robert. “With these developments, the possibilities are endless. The knowledge that will be available is amazing. The current users are already excited by it.”

The data warehouse is just one of the services Procon provides. There is also:

• Application services – includes helping customers choose, install and implement market-leading products, such as Oracle, Primavera and Business Objects. Procon can then host the products on an ongoing support and maintenance basis.
• Technical services – this follows on from application services whereby products chosen can be tailored or customised.
• Specific Underground product support – includes systems such as Project Suite, Investment Suite, SABRE and other systems specifically-developed for the LUL environment.
  

As part of the transition to PPP, Procon is undergoing a review.

“Because we are within the Underground's IT department,” says Robert, “we are in a transitional role because we provide shared services to everybody. But that is not going to be a long-term solution because LUL is not in the business of selling IT services and Infracos need to be independent. So it is likely that the Procon team's services will be sourced in a design that is best for the future, ensuring each business has the opportunity to maintain the service provided by the Procon team.”

The issue of where Infracos and LUL will source their IT is something everyone needs to start thinking about now.

Robert says: “We need to help all the businesses achieve a long-term view of what they want from their computer systems. This will involve developing strategic plans that need to be carefully managed to ensure business continuity.

“At Procon, we have a team of technical experts in market-leading products. Plus we have knowledge and experience of the Underground. So we can easily adapt the way we work today to the way the Infracos, London Underground and Transport for London want to work tomorrow.”

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