Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Q: One of the mandatory requirements is that “A service provider must have designed and implemented BIS”. What if it is a new company?

A: form partnerships/joint ventures.

2.  Q: What is the estimated cost?

A: 90/10 principle means the estimated cost is above R500000.

3.  Q: Are your thin clients is running on Citrix receiver?

A: Yes

4.  Q: Size of the server needed?

A: No new fleet of server, service provider to use what is available, but can make reasonable suggestions.

5.  Q: Is there a central directory?

A: yes there is one.

6.  Q: How many users of the 2000 use excel?

A: All are using excel, intention for BI is to move away from them.

7.  Q: Is proof of concept necessary?

A: That is why demonstrations and site visits are part of the evaluation criteria.

8.  Q: Will the RAF define the role of users and their requirements?

A: Role of users is as per position in a company for e.g. Managers will have to access more detailed span of data than his subordinates will.

9.  Q: Is the Citrix environment virtual?

A: Xen-Apps is used, an application is called as and when required.

10. Q: Why the Rand Dollar rate exchange?

A: To can compare the service providers based on the same rates.

11. Q: Will the RAF promise not to poach technicians from the service provider?

A: That will be dealt with during contract negotiations.

12. Q: Is the Data base integrated?

A: Integration is not on Database level, we are using SAP XI as integrator.

13. Q: what is the level of Data integration?

A: Very low, Master data replicated across databases and low level payment transactions.

14. Q: Why single version of the truth?

A: Display should provide same information/results regardless.

15. Q: What is the current DRP?

A: Should the RAF experience total loss of information, Service provider should be able to provide back-up/recovery plan for business continuity.

16. Q: why high availability level?

A: 8 Business Hours downtime in a none-disaster situation, therefore technology like clustering / failover should be used.

17. Q: Mobility devices-do you require this service?

A: Executives are very mobile, need the BIS to include mobile, since gadgets are available.

18. Q: What is SAP BW used for?

A: System is available but not useable.

19. Q: Can SAP BW be re-used?

A: yes the system is there it can be re-used.

20. Q: Will the full infrastructure architecture be made available?

A: Attached.

21. Q: Are there any hardware cost?

A: No. Use what is available unless if advised to upgrade.

22. Q: How to cost DRP – refining the solution?

A: document the DRP in terms of the solution.

23. Q: what is the project period?

9 Months of implementation in a phased approach.

Phase 1 – 6Months: Cover SAP, FINEOS and Old Claims

Phase 2 – 3Months: Covers none business critical systems.

24. Q: What/which are the implementation environments, e.g. Vodacom?

A: development, Quality Assurance and production i.e. Vodacom should be systematic.

25. Q: How in-depth technically wise is the RAF e.g. auditing?

A: Service providers must not be shy, provide the RAF with what ever your company can offer us.

26. Q: Will specific departments be major users?

A: Looking at our supply chain, the following departments are very important: Operations for Claims processing; Finance for payments & Procurement.

27. Q: Is the RAF happy with the business logic/background?

A: it is a bit difficult to answer, but the RAF need standardisation of reporting, a solution to work.

28. Q: What about the implementation i.e. the size of information/Data?

A: will publish data sizes, offers making per day. Service providers must assure RAF with a system that is working in future and training to start from inception.

29. Q: What kind of reporting is required, so that all bidders can bid for the same e.g. management packs.

A: Scope of reports will be available or before the 25th August 2011

30. Q: Define reports per user and level?

A: Management is available, will attempt to provide lower levels as well.

31. Q: will training be linked to end –user/training?

A: Administrator training (should be conversant), End-user (Training dept) will do that (train the trainer).

32. Q: Is there a training department?

A: (Training dept) will do that (train the trainer process should be there).

33. Q: 4.1.17 – guaranteed maintenance – does RAF expect someone to be on site for the 6 months or would they prefer if the provider to have a set SLA for responding to complaints?

A: Mix of skeleton staff + SLA

34. Q: 4.2.8 - The service provider must provide a BI Solution with Pushing Capabilities of reports. – What pushing capabilities is required?

A: By “pushing” we mean scheduled reports on time (via link or email or mobile (Blackberry server)

35. Q: Of the 2000 people to have access to the BI system, how many have SAP licenses?

A: All the users in the organisation have SAP Licenses but the level differs.

36. Q: Does RAF have an Enterprise license for Microsoft SQL? i.e. if we were to propose as part of the solution a data warehouse on MS SQL, would we need to include licenses or does RAF already have licenses?

A: RAF does have an agreement with Microsoft and is in the process of procuring products & licenses.

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