SOLUTIONS

Lexicon Systems, LLC is known for tackling complex business challenges, often when neither the problem nor the solution is clear. We apply extensive experience, innovative thinking and objectivity to help tame chaos and solve problems. Read on for snapshots of real solutions from our Information Systems/Information Technology (IS/IT), Market Assessment and Business Management Consulting practices.

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Software life cycle management

Lexicon led a client-vendor-consultant team of 20 through the systems life cycle. We facilitated business requirements workshops to build consensus among business, EHS, IT and management stakeholders. We developed a business case that showed a positive ROI. Lexicon managed a phased software implementation to spread out the cash flow.

Lexicon managed an end-to-end implementation at over 25 North American facilities. We performed the needs assessment, software evaluation and selection; software configuration and data migration; training and roll-out. We managed a multi-phased rollout where the first phase provided the infrastructure for subsequent phases. Our firm provided significant software design, testing, user documentation and training services throughout the implementation and roll-out.

Not all clients require full life cycle management. Thus, we have provided deliverables at various stages of the software life cycle, as described below.

Business process optimization

Lexicon’s applied its industry, environment, health & safety (EHS) and IT skills to analyze, streamline, standardize and document EHS business processes across the company’s different business lines. We developed generic processes—apart from EHS subject matter. The client was delighted that these business processes worked equally well for EHS, quality, human resources (HR) and customer service.

Our staff has streamlined an array of business processes for various clients, for example

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Business requirements

One client’s objectives were to understand their internal and external EHS and quality obligations, assign accountability, streamline and standardize business processes and capture information for near real-time decision-making. They had two discrete businesses with over 25 facilities and lean EHS staffing. Lexicon facilitated business requirements gathering using a team dialog approach where EHS, quality and IT specialists reached consensus on business requirements and business processes. This led to software evaluation and selection.

Another client had developed a set of business requirements and then developed an environmental software application in-house. The implementation was “challenged”—it was late, over budget and lacked 60 percent of the features in the initial specification. The client decided to replace the system with full-featured commercial software. Lexicon facilitated a series of work sessions with stakeholders from six business units, corporate environmental staff and management sponsors. We helped the client to verify, update and reach consensus on requirements for the new system. This formed the basis for software evaluation and selection.

Software evaluation and selection

Clients needed software evaluation and selection experience once they documented their business requirements. Lexicon teamed with clients to arrive at a “short list” of software vendors that could meet the greater part of the requirements. Lexicon’s reviewed the clients’ business and software objectives. In addition, we reviewed the business requirements, clarifying and adding to them as needed to proceed with an objective selection and evaluation. We helped the clients develop software evaluation criteria before starting the evaluation, focusing on the most critical needs.

Lexicon utilized its contacts with the top enterprise and mid-market occupational health & safety; environmental, health and safety (EHS); incident management, audit and task management software vendors. We arranged a confidential software gap analysis and onsite software demos for key stakeholders. The clients were able to evaluate and select a software vendor based upon the criteria developed earlier.

Software design

Several clients planned to streamline and augment their software without adding permanent staff.. They required the help of an expert that understood IT, business and EHS issues. Lexicon designed software for consulting firms and independent software providers (ISVs). These design documents provided business rules, software, report and interface specifications for software coding. Working as “translators” between business subject matter experts (SMEs) and IS/IT staff, our Lexicon prepared design documents for software modules and components including, but not limited to

Training

A specialty chemicals company needed to train over 125 operations, management, EHS and IT staff on a new software package. Lexicon developed an illustrated step-by-step user manual that featured the client's test data, to provide users with context. We also prepared a training plan, curriculum and training materials to supplement the user manual. Lexicon held a series of half-day, hands-on training sessions. We added new material to the user manual and provided additional training before rolling out new software modules.

A world-scale chemical complex's software implementation focused on air emissions management. Lexicon prepared step-by-step quick reference guides for the most common user tasks. We led hands-on training sessions to familiarize software users with these common tasks.

Another client requested computer-based training (CBT) modules for their health & safety software deployment. Lexicon staff prepared the training plan, curriculum and CBT modules and also facilitated the hands-on end-user training sessions.

A large chemical complex implemented enterprise-wide environmental software. Lexicon staff developed the training plan, curriculum and CBT modules and led a series of user training sessions.

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Information systems integration

Our client selected commercial EHS software to replace dozens of spreadsheets, stand-alone databases and other data sources. They also wanted to link to information in plant and back-office systems. Lexicon helped the client streamline and standardize their business processes, evaluate the legacy systems, and integrate information from an asset database and the human resources (HR) systems.

On other assignments Lexicon helped clients to integrate commercial EHS software applications with process data historians, real-time environmental monitoring equipment, laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and other data sources.

BUSINESS & MARKETING SOLUTIONS

Market due diligence & market assessments

Lexicon gathered market intelligence for private equity investors, venture capitalists, executives and senior management involved in mergers & acquisitions. In each assignment our client needed an independent assessment of their market position. Also, they wanted to verify if their market message was effective. Lexicon conducted primary research to identify gaps between internal and external perceptions of the company. Findings were valuable in strategic planning for the new organization.

Lexicon has completed market assessments in wide range of industries

• from nuts & bolts manufacturing to environment, health & safety (EHS) consulting firms;
• from commercial and residential construction to specialty chemical manufacturers;
• from frozen foods suppliers to the EHS and quality management information systems (EMIS) software market.

Product and services marketing: executive white papers

Lexicon Systems, LLC helps companies to gain market “mind share” by writing executive white papers. Each well-researched white paper focuses on a technical topic to showcase a product or service. The paper is written for an audience that the client identifies.

Our clients often use these white papers in conjunction with a Web Seminar, where a Lexicon consultant presents key points of the paper. Frequently our clients distribute these white papers to their customers at software user group meetings and professional or trade association meetings. Clients’ sales forces issue these papers to prospective customers; sales people and customer alike rely on the papers to provide an independent, objective, third party view of critical business issues, as well as possible solutions.

Product and services marketing: software assessments

Lexicon has applied its unique skill sets to evaluate Independent Software Vendor (ISV) applications. We evaluated compliance software for a leading vendor. Our evaluation considered the software product's market position, i.e., enterprise vs. mid-market; specific environment, health, safety and quality (EHSQ) features and functions; and its “look and feel” and overall usability. We provided recommendations to help the company to improve its product and recognition in the marketplace.

Product and services marketing: marketing communications

First impressions count. Today, most people conduct research on the Web before considering a product or service provider, especially in high-tech industries. Websites and associated marketing documents must quickly grab the reader’s attention and provide solid content, or the reader will move on in a matter of seconds.

Lexicon develops marketing communications plans and marketing collateral—the collection of media used to support the sales of a product or service. We assess the existing marketing communications and recommend changes to increase exposure in the marketplace. Our process considers the company’s main objectives, its culture and the intended market message. Recommendations often include a new “look and feel” and new or updated marketing collateral such as product, services and/or technical sheets, case studies and Web content.

Lexicon helped a leading Search Engine Marketing firm to update its Search Engine Optimization packages.  We interviewed company staff, designed a new "look and feel" and upgraded the marketing collateral content for over a dozen service offerings.

Our staff prepared first-generation marketing collateral for two enterprise-side commercial EHS software applications. This collateral became instrumental in the due diligence effort, once the business was offered for sale.

Product management

Lexicon helped a mid-sized EHS software vendor to plan and develop new features and functionality to meet growing market needs. We gathered business needs and developed design documents for new software modules, working closely with the software development group.

A start-up EHS software company had limited subject matter resources. Lexicon filled the role of product manager, identifying business needs and developing specifications for new software modules and reports. This helped the software company to meet client commitments by bringing new modules to the market.

In a previous assignment, Lexicon staff served as director of product management for two EHS applications at the world's largest database software company. Product management and product marketing efforts helped to propel the two software suites from consulting work products to commercial software products, complete with regular release schedules, documentation, marketing collateral and training materials. As director of product management, our staff served as liaison among development, sales, and consulting staffs; industry applications and energy marketing groups; and software end-users.

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