Case Studies
Understanding the actual
state of work to realize fair
billing in shared services
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
Pre-introduction issues
Understanding the actual state of work to realize fair billing in shared services
The Sumitomo Metal Mining Management Service Center is positioned as a shared service* for Group companies. This service handles personnel, accounting, and procurement for 18 Group companies, including Sumitomo Metal Mining, in a lump sum, and charges each company as compensation for the services provided. Shared services require us to offer reasonable and appropriate consideration. For this reason, the implementation of Time Management to ensure that the actual conditions of operations are properly grasped has become an issue.
Shared services are a method of consolidating and standardizing indirect operations and services, such as the development and operation of personnel, accounting, general affairs, and information systems for each group company or business division within a company, to reduce costs and improve services.
I had this problem.
- ・Sampling inspection by a consulting company was carried out, and the billing system was improved, but the actual condition of the work could not be grasped.
- ・There is a backlash that the introduction of management tools will make people think that it is a member monitoring software.
- ・Even if the tool is introduced, it is worried that it will be fixed to the member by the start of operation.
How to use
In the preparation period from the evaluation period
By the time we decided to consider purchasing a Time Management tool, we had four months to get it up and running. The trial version of TimeTracker has exactly the same functionality as the full version. The Management Service Center used this feature to overcome the preparation in a short period of time.
After completing most of the configuration and creation of the standardized WBS in the trial version, we prepared the installation and operation manuals for our own use. In order to prevent members from feeling "supervised" or "forced," we thoroughly explained the purpose of introduction and the goal to be achieved along with operation training. They were able to experience the ease of use of TimeTracker beforehand, which made the installation go smoothly.
Measurement of man-hours required for settlement of accounts and rationalization of billing based on data
TimeTracker is a Time Management and project manager developed from the idea of collecting accurate man-hours and using them to improve projects and operations. While many companies have introduced this system for project-management purposes, the Management Service Center has introduced Standard Edition (a basic tool for understanding the current situation and starting to improve it by entering man-hours), focusing on its features as a Time Management tool that can accurately calculate man-hours as accurate facts. Based on the aggregated man-hour data at the time of settlement of accounts, not only are billing adjustments made, but also the validity of billing to date is verified and future billing is further optimized.
Effects after introduction
Accumulation of highly accurate man-hours enables accurate estimation calculations.
Time entry monitor function checks the input status of the members, and if it is less than the specified period, the input is immediately promoted. With diligent follow-up, we were able to achieve a Input work time of 100% in just two weeks of operation. We have been using TimeTracker for four years (as of 2010), and since all members continue to use it without difficulty, we have accumulated highly accurate man-hours. Based on this data, they were able to set the standard work man-hours for each task as a convincing one and calculate an appropriate estimate.
You can check the entry status of the man-hours in the Dashboard, so it's easy to follow the members you haven't entered yet.
Change in members' awareness of work
As I used time as a yardstick to look at my work objectively and reflect on it, I gradually became more aware of my work. The man-hour measurement was initially limited to the first and third quarters, but it was naturally accepted by the field to the extent that some members voluntarily conducted Input work time during the rest of the year.
The "Timesheet" is an intuitive interface that allows drag-and-drop Input work time, so I was able to introduce and establish it without putting a burden on the members.
Customer comments
| Industry classification | Non-ferrous metals |
|---|---|
| Description of Businesses |
Resources and metalsDevelopment of mines and smelting and the development of non-ferrous metals in various parts of the world Electronic materialsProvision of highly quality-controlled products such as semiconductor materials and functional materials Group BusinessEnvironmental improvement business, manufacture and sale of chemical catalysts, recovery and recycling of valuable metals from used catalysts Research and DevelopmentDevelop and nurture new products, mainly in the electronics and advanced materials fields |
| Business Introduction |
As a leading company aiming to become one of the world's major non-ferrous metals companies, it is a major comprehensive non-ferrous metals manufacturer that develops resources for non-ferrous metals such as gold, copper, and nickel, as well as advanced materials such as electronic materials and functional materials.
The Management Service Center, which has introduced TimeTracker, handles personnel, accounting, and procurement for 18 Group companies. |
| Departments introducing | Management service center |
| Web website | http://www.smm.co.jp/ |
- [JTEKT Corporation] Supporting efforts toward ISO 26262 compliance with tools
- [TKC Corporation] Standardizing service processes and repeating improvement cycle to realize improvement of efficiency!
- [MTI Ltd.] Improved accuracy of reporting data without placing a burden on the site
- [TEAC Corporation] Speedy and accurate in actual time compilation process
- [LSI Japan Co., Ltd.] Generated stable profits with understanding work of members in a telework environment and realizing highly accurate estimates
Customer comments
We considered introducing TimeTracker to improve shared-service billing, but initially worried that it might have more features than we could use. After attending a product seminar and trying the evaluation version, we concluded that the interface
was practical for the workplace and could achieve our objectives. We now use it not only to improve billing but also to allocate work among members. To support International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), our accounting operations have
also begun measuring time for IFRS-related tasks. Although we currently use TimeTracker for time management, we believe using it for project management in an information systems department could also help make better use of people and skills.
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
Mr. Koyu, Management Service Center
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is an accounting standard that is set and published worldwide as an accounting standard in which international standardization of accounting standards is desirable. Beginning in 2015 or 2016, it is expected that IFRS will also be mandatorily applied to listed Japanese companies.