Client: Siebel Systems
Project Duration: 3 months
The Product Description:
As part of the Siebel Systems World Convention, the objective was to create a demo application showcasing the new functionality resulting from the merger of two applications: Siebel eSales – Sales Management System and the OpenSite Dynamic Pricing Engine, which was recently acquired by Siebel. The demo application would serve as a training tool for Siebel Sales Consultants worldwide, demonstrating the integrated capabilities of the merged applications.
The Product: Web Application Front-End
The final product was a web application front-end that seamlessly integrated the Siebel eSales and OpenSite Dynamic Pricing Engine systems using Web Services. The application was designed to allow users with manager-level security to list items for sale to business partners, utilizing dynamic pricing functionality. The demo application also included a simplified customer sales pipeline dashboard within the eSales portion, facilitating efficient closing of sales. It is important to note that the demo application was solely intended for demonstration purposes to showcase the potential functionality and could be customized by Siebel customers.
The Problem: Integration Challenges and Limited Resources
One of the main challenges of this project was integrating the Java-based Siebel eSales system and the Java-based OpenSite Dynamic Pricing Engine with a front-end built using Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) and VBScript. This integration between Java systems and a COM-based system required numerous workarounds and careful coordination. Adding to the complexity, the deadline for the project was set a week before the Siebel Systems World Convention, leaving a limited timeframe for development. Additionally, I was the sole developer responsible for designing the UI/UX and consuming CRUD data using a C++ COM dll and web services. With minimal involvement from business stakeholders and product engineers, all design choices primarily rested on my shoulders.
The Goal: Impressive Demonstration and Engagement
The primary goal of the project was to create an impressive demonstration of the merged applications’ capabilities, captivating the attention of sales and marketing staff, as well as existing and prospective customers. The objective was to showcase how the integrated systems could handle millions of dollars in transactions efficiently and effectively.
My Role and Responsibilities
In this project, I undertook the roles of the UI designer and middleware developer. My responsibilities included:
- Designing the user interface for the demo application, considering the needs of sales management and ensuring intuitive navigation.
- Developing the middleware to integrate the Java-based systems with the Microsoft ASP front-end.
- Implementing the necessary CRUD operations using a C++ COM dll and web services.
- Working closely with the project manager to align project milestones and deliverables.
- Collaborating with the testing team to ensure the quality and reliability of the demo application.
User Summary: Sales Management and Pipeline Management
The future users of the system would primarily be sales managers responsible for managing product listings, pricing, and other pricing variables and constraints. The demo application served as a tool to facilitate efficient management of the customer pipeline, streamlining sales processes.
Pain Point: Managing Complex Resources and Transactions
Siebel’s customers typically include Fortune 500 companies, and managing resources ranging from simple single-item transactions to complex bundled transactions can be challenging. The demo application aimed to address this pain point by providing a system that streamlines product management and trade processes, reducing the time required to handle transactions.
Solution: Demonstrating Integrated Functionality
The demo application successfully implemented a wide range of functions from both the Siebel and OpenSite applications. It showcased the integration of features such as product listing, dynamic pricing, and customer pipeline management, providing a comprehensive demonstration of the merged systems’ capabilities.
The Impact and Lessons Learned
The simplicity of the interface combined with the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach met the project’s objectives and exceeded expectations. The demo application generated a great deal of excitement among both staff and customers, effectively showcasing the potential of the integrated systems. It proved to be a valuable training tool for Siebel Sales Consultants, empowering them to effectively communicate the benefits of the merged applications. The demo application remained in use for two years before a larger team of eight engineers rebuilt it.
This project taught me the importance of having a deep understanding of the technical capabilities of various systems. Balancing multiple responsibilities, including design, development, and project management, was challenging, but it provided valuable insights and paved the way for more successful projects in the future.
