Why use a PPM integrator?

By Maëlys De Santis

Published: November 16, 2024

The PPM (Project Portfolio Management) integrator is the consulting and expertise entity responsible for integrating third-party tools into a client company's information system. It acts as a facilitator between the software publisher and the customer, the users.

Integration is based on a relationship of trust between the integrator and the company it supports. Support is provided throughout the product lifecycle, from auditing to the implementation of tools and processes, right through to configuration and application maintenance.

Planisware Orchestra, Cesar, Planview... How to choose your PPM software? To better understand what project portfolio management (PPM) is, and the added value of a PPM integrator, appvizer shares with you its 10 advantages for successfully completing your PPM project.

SUMMARY

See all software Project Portfolio Management (PPM)

Advantage no. 1: a complete diagnosis

The integrator's mission is to guide customers through every stage of the PPM integration project, starting with a diagnosis of the existing system.

The integrator infiltrates the company's activities to fully understand its business, processes, workings, bottlenecks and so on. Its experts carry out a complete audit, raising questions such as:

What are your expectations?
What do you think you need?
How does your information system work?
What difficulties have you encountered?

The aim is to obtain a global vision of your project and portfolio management, so as to optimize them in the quickest, easiest and most relevant way for your company.

A good integrator won't hesitate to say "no" when they feel you're not going in the right direction.

It is there to ensure the reliability of the integration project for all stakeholders.

This also involves anticipating risks, taking into account your company's weaknesses. Assessing the criticality of risks is an essential step in ensuring that your PPM project runs smoothly.

Advantage no. 2: expressing needs and defining specifications

The integrator's ability to listen to the customer's needs helps to formalize them precisely. Combined with knowledge of best practices and product expertise, this can help you avoid many time-wasting mistakes.

The integrator can quickly identify what's best for each company, thanks to his business expertise. He or she can then draw up a set of specifications listing requirements and defining the objectives to be achieved, before proposing an appropriate action plan.

Advantage no. 3: choosing the best tool

With an integrator, you can be sure that the final choice of your PPM software will be the right one. Why should you?

The integrator has a perfect knowledge of the tools.
Their added value lies in adapting their offer to the customer's specific needs.
They are able to offer customized parameterization.
They also have a global vision of the market and its products: they have an objectivity that a software publisher does not have.
His experience of past projects saves customers considerable time.
He plays a valuable advisory role.

Advantage no. 4: training by expert consultants

The integrator also trains users on the tool defined as meeting the company's needs. As experts in the tool, integrator consultants pass on their mastery of the tool, its functions, navigation and best practices.

Let's take an example. The CoPrime integrator is also a training organization for the five tools it integrates. It offers an adapted pedagogical design, both in terms of format (customized modules, workshops, seminars, professionalization programs, etc.) and modalities (face-to-face or e-learning).

In this way, mastery of the tool is passed on in a personalized manner from integrator to user.

Benefit no. 5: optimized resource management

This optimization is made possible by improved management of information systems, and affects both financial and human resources.

Financial resources

The integrator's expertise and knowledge of PPM tools save customers a decisive loss of time. The risk of error in tool selection is reduced to a minimum. Your teams are quickly up and running, thanks to the training they receive.

Automation and the very use of the solution streamline your processes and improve your performance.

Human resources

Having trouble seeing the connection between a PPM integrator and your human resources management? But there is.

The project carried out by the enterprise integrator optimizes a company's HR processes and unites employees around a common project. This may involve, for example

consulting on the implementation of 360° feedback,
helping to overhaul project team appraisal systems,
participation in the design of a forward-looking management of employment and skills (GPEC).

Benefit no. 6: maximized user acceptance

Processes cannot be integrated into the tool without consulting, listening to and taking into account the demands of project teams. After all, they are the end-users who know best what the tool should and shouldn't do.

Co-construction of the PPM integration project gives employees a sense of consideration and reinforces their support for the solution.

Benefit no. 7: successful integration into your environment

Successful integration not only involves employees, but also begins with technical integration.

The integrator works hand in hand with your IT department. It's all about simplifying processes and working together from the ground up. To achieve this, PPM software must be integrated and connected with your existing tools. Otherwise, there would be no point in using it, and the benefits would be greatly reduced in terms of project success.

The fact that the tool takes into account, listens to and transforms our processes was a key factor in our choice.

Michèle Tlouzeau, Director of Resources, called on CoPrime to integrate CA PPM at Right Management.

Benefit no. 8: regulated data management

As you know, since May 25, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR ) has regulated the exploitation and use of personal data by companies hosting their data in Europe.

All companies collect, store and use their customers' personal data. Here again, the integrator can advise you on best practices and integrate PPM software with your operating system, helping you to become or remain RGPD compliant.

Advantage no. 9: good governance of PPM projects

Good practice always. Governance guarantees the long-term structuring and organization of your projects. As well as helping you find the tool best suited to your project's operation, the integrator also passes on methods to facilitate relevant project governance.

Benefit no. 10: Putting people at the heart of PPM

Last but not least, calling on the services of an integrator makes up for a much-maligned shortcoming, and puts the human element back at the heart of the company. Our support goes beyond e-consulting, involving local players. You meet experts with whom you can talk, and who are available for your project.