What was the scope of their involvement?
It was a mutual streamlined approach between Systech and DCSL. I’d already written specifications and design documents that we sent to Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software], and one of their developers called me and went through it. We went through the details, and they put it in their own technical format. We laid the foundation, and after the initial collaboration, believed both parties understood the brief and specifications.
After the implementation, they scheduled 3 defined testing phases of the system, which went to plan. The system allows us to track all the prospective candidates that our recruiters are looking at. These candidates will fall into the recruitment database, where the recruiters have control of whether and when they want to present those candidates to the senior personnel.
There are mechanisms built into the system that can quickly and easily email and send CVs and Candidate Records. We set up our own tailored forms to describe and document the candidates. We then are able to run that person through the pipeline. If they are of interest to a senior manager who is recruiting, for example in Japan or South Africa, we can plan and track everything from interview scheduling to seeing if they were offered the position.
At the end of the day, there is a software link between this new database and our existing HR system. When we push a button, a successful candidate is then transferred into our HR system as a new recruit to the business, and HR takes over. There is a feature in the system that now regulates communication, to make sure recruiters from different parts of the world aren’t trying to contact the same candidates or clients, which was an issue in the past. Candidate information is transparent.
The links we have been building to connect and support various departments has been a good way to ensure we don’t lose track of candidates in the shuffle. Recruiters may have recruited someone, but if we don’t have HR, we can’t deploy them overseas. Since we’re international, we may recruit someone in London that is assigned to Africa. We need a smooth handover to the region, and for that HR to induct that Consultant. The system helps us manage that process.
What is the team dynamic?
The collaboration went very smoothly because we only worked directly with Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software] initially, who sold the contract to us and worked with us to develop the solution. He was our main point of contact, and I know there were a few people working with him. He introduced us to Alexis, our point of contact in development, who we worked with throughout the UAT process.
How did you come to work with DCSL?
We were researching both smaller, local companies and larger companies in the Middle East and Asia. After narrowing it down to 5 or 6 companies, I immediately preferred the presentation, the proposal, and the charisma of Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software], who sold his proposition very well. They are London-based, and we liked their proximity to us in the U.K. I felt we could work with them after hearing the clarity with which they described their services and deliverables
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in April 2017 and the work is ongoing.
DCSL Software has clear communication and a transparent workflow. They’re flexible and adapt well to scope changes. The final product looks good and meets project expectations.