Case Study | Frazier & Deeter, LLC

Instant Collaboration Saves Firm
90 Hours a Month

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“By speeding up our data transfer and eliminating the need to create multiple versions of files, Colligo Workgroup Edition is saving us 90 auditor hours a month – that is a firm-wide saving of $13,000 per month.”

Aaron Spitalnick
Director of Technology
Frazier & Deeter

Application
Auditors at Frazier & Deeter use Colligo Workgroup Edition on client sites to create instant networks that support client file sharing and team collaboration.

Business Challenge
A typical Frazier & Deeter audit involves a team of three to six people. The auditors spend an average of 80-90% of their time out of the office year round, with each audit taking an average of two to three weeks in the field. As such, auditors are constantly setting up temporary workspaces at client offices.

In the past, auditors had relied on Bluetooth and/or diskettes to transfer data among team members. Increasingly, the teams were getting frustrated with the slow transfer of large data files when using Bluetooth, and the use of diskettes seemed to slow them down further. As well, by sharing information on diskettes and transferring data from laptop to laptop using this method in tandem with Bluetooth, they created multiple versions of files, further confusing workflows. Since the firm uses CaseWare Working Papers as their primary paperless software tool, the auditors needed a more efficient means to network their laptops to share CaseWare information with each other electronically at client sites.

“Our major issues in the field were configuration of the Bluetooth network – sometimes the laptops would not connect properly – and, once connected, the slow rate at which our large data files were being shared among the computers,” comments Andrew Aston, Senior Audit Manager at Frazier & Deeter. “We had no idea how much this process slowed us down until we replaced it with Colligo’s Workgroup Edition software.”

Solution
To increase productivity, Frazier & Deeter needed a simple way to create secure and reliable networks at client offices. In addition to increasing audit efficiencies, the firm wanted to reduce the creation of duplicate data. They needed a solution that would speed up file transfer and improve team communication. The solution also had to be secure, quick to deploy, and easy to use. In January 2005, Frazier & Deeter auditors deployed Colligo Workgroup Edition version 4.0.

“We had to look for a new networking solution. There just simply had to be a better way to network in the field,” says Ruth Bartlett, Partner in charge of Assurance Services. “We came across Colligo’s Workgroup Edition software for creating wireless ad-hoc networks that sped up our data transfer and integrated easily with our current software. It was easy to install and our auditors find it works seamlessly with CaseWare.”

Through a process of “discover, connect, and interact”, Colligo Workgroup Edition allows Frazier & Deeter auditors to create instant wireless networks without the need for a server. The software automatically discovers other Colligo users on the local network, enabling them to connect laptops via ad hoc (server-free) peer-to-peer 802.11 wireless or wired networks. Teams can then share data using the applications they use every day. Colligo supports additional collaborative functions, such as: data sharing via simple ‘drag-and-drop’ files transfer; electronic communication via instant messaging or whiteboarding; and the sharing of external resources such as team printers and a broadband Internet connection.

The audit teams are now more flexible when located at client sites. The strength of the wireless signal reaches colleagues in different rooms allowing for quick collaboration on client files. Chat and instant messaging tools allow for instant electronic communication – further reducing the need for face-to-face meetings.

Colligo enabled Frazier & Deeter to replace their Bluetooth connection and diskettes with secure and private 802.11 wireless networks at client offices, enabling effective collaboration. “We no longer produce duplicate copies of files and are more coordinated in our workflow,” comments Aaron Spitalnick, Director of Technology. “We can now perform real-time reviews without a significant effort in pulling team resources.”

• “We moved to a paperless process with CaseWare and it was essential that Colligo Workgroup Edition integrate with our current software. Not only did it meet that requirement, but the software has done more – exceeding our productivity expectations and saving our firm time and money,” adds Spitalnick. “By speeding up our data transfer and eliminating the need to create multiple versions of files, Colligo Workgroup Edition is saving us 90 auditor hours a month – that is a firm-wide saving of $13,000 per month.”

Results
AAXICO has seen significant time savings from using Colligo Contributor. In addition, AAXICO has been able to:

• Drive 100% adoption of SharePoint site among international sales executives
• Improve customer data standardization and quality
• Increase frequency of reporting by international sales executives
• Improve management visibility into key business accounts and sales activities
• Save sales executives and management from time-consuming reporting processes
• Achieve quick ROI - Colligo Contributor was paid for with one international plane ride

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