Success Story
A demonstration of productivity.
PEOPLESOFT SHOWS OFF ITS SOFTWARE WITHOUT LEAVING THE OFFICE.
With its eBusiness enterpise applications, PeopleSoft is on a mission to provide innovative software solutions that meet the changing business demands of Fortune 1000-class corporations. The company serves over 4,000 customers across the globe.
PeopleSoft's slogan is "People power the Internet." And Peoplesoft practices what it preaches with an uncompromising commitment to Internet-based communications. For starters, their enterprise applications are now delivered solely over the Internet. Another great example? PeopleSoft's 7,000 employees use WebEx services.
Getting personal and reacting rapidly.
PeopleSoft relies on WebEx real-time meeting services to demonstrate products to customers. Users have been impressed with how WebEx makes sharing information immediate and far more personal.
For Jennifer Hale, IS director in the enterprise decision support division, that personal touch translates into a stronger customer relationship. "We were at the end of a sales cycle with a large customer that was wavering between us and another vendor," says Hale. "They wanted to see if their concerns could be addressed if they implemented our reporting strategy. I was contacted the day before and asked to do a demo of our internal implementation. We wouldn't have been able to respond so quickly or effectively without WebEx."
WebEx services let users demonstrate software solutions and actually pass control of an application to a customer so the customer can gain hands-on familiarity right from the start. "WebEx has exceeded the expectations of our internal users," says Margie Duffek, manager of infrastructure and administration in the messaging and groupware division. "Since we can effectively communicate and demo our products over the Web, we have saved a significant amount of money by reducing travel expenses."
HotTalks put everyone on the same page.
Other groups at PeopleSoft are also using WebEx to streamline communications. "HotTalks" is the name PeopleSoft has given an online meeting series they use to have employees in their sales, consulting, marketing, and education divisions stay informed of the company's latest product and strategy announcements. PeopleSoft's marketing department holds WebEx meetings at least twice a week to share information with colleagues across the organization. Typically, they watch presentations and product demonstrations, interacting with one another across multiple time zones—without the need to travel.
Andy Wong, a field communications project manager for PeopleSoft, added that WebEx allows PeopleSoft employees to concentrate on learning new material. "Employees like WebEx because it's so easy to use and they can focus on content better," he said.
Having fun with their free time.
PeopleSoft professionals were quick to credit WebEx for helping them be productive enough to enjoy a healthy amount of free time. Margie Duffek said she's able to spend time her family. "We turn off the phone and television, pack a picnic lunch, and go for long walks," she said.
Jennifer Hale spends much of her free time exploring the area with friends. "We do a lot of hiking in the East Bay at Lafayette Reservoir and Mt. Diablo. Here at work, we have a group that hikes together on Wednesday evenings. All of that hiking justifies the beer and burgers afterwards."
Andy Wong is actually taking advantage of his free time by building homes with his father and other family. "We've built our last two homes," says Wong. "My dad doesn't do it for a living. It's just something he likes to do. He draws up the initial plan and then hires an architect who can make it solid for the city." The family's previous project—a partnership between his father, aunt, and uncle—was a small apartment complex for the three families and their relatives.
Exciting possibilities.
Margie Duffek is encouraged by how PeopleSoft adapts the kind of technologies that make meaningful marks on the company and its employees. "I was employee 584," says Duffek. "People sometimes ask me why I stay since most people hop around between high tech jobs. I tell them ‘because it feels like a new company every year and it's exciting.' It's been an incredible ride to see how much it has changed."
"Technology promises to simplify our lives and give us more time," Jennifer Hale said. "I tend to see it sometimes making our lives more complicated and busier. So I'd like to actually see it happen so that we can spend more time with our families and ourselves. I think that tools like WebEx will make that possible."
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