Integration Increases Operating Efficiencies for Transit Company
PARSIPPANY, NJ - July 1, 2002 ... Acuent Inc., a full-service systems integrator, today announced that it has been contracted to implement an integrated human resources and financial system for Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), a regional provider of inter-modal transportation for the cities of Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, representing a population of 1.5 million people.
"After evaluating several potential system integrators, we found that Acuent was the easiest to work with and they demonstrated a clear understanding of our business challenges," said Michael S. Townes, CEO Hampton Roads Transit. "Acuent has a strong track record of PeopleSoft® implementations and we are confident they are the right team for the job."
Acuent will be implementing an integrated PeopleSoft 8 Human Resources Management and Financial Management solution that will create a comprehensive enterprise system for handling functions such as payroll, retirement systems, payments, closings and providing a centralized location for vendors. This integrated solution will replace disparate human resources and financial legacy systems that lack the functionality and integration HRT needs to efficiently manage operations.
Under the terms of the multi-year contract, Acuent will also be implementing the PeopleSoft Enterprise Portal to provide HRT employees with access to both human resources and financial data through a single interface from any computer. HRT's existing email system will be integrated into the portal. In addition, Acuent will be providing change management services, evaluating existing processes, and developing communication strategies and training programs for HRT as it rolls out the new system to its 1,100 employees.
"As a growing transit company serving more than a million people, Hampton Roads needed an integrated solution with increased functionality to meet their operating needs," said Tom Ferrando, president and COO of Acuent. "We're excited to be partnering with Hampton Roads to implement this PeopleSoft solution as we expand our presence in the transit authority market."
About Hampton Roads Transit
Formed on October 1, 1999 with the merger of Pentran and TRT, HRT serves over 369 square miles of urban service area. HRT is governed by a Board of Commissioners as regulated by the Transportation District Act of 1964 of the Code of Virginia. The Commission consists of 17 members appointed as follows: two from each city served, one State Senator, one State Delegate and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or their designee. HRT has an operating budget of over $50 million a year with 485 active revenue vehicles. Services include fixed bus routes, trolley service, passenger ferryboat service, ADA Paratransit and Hampton school bus service. More information about HRT can be found at www.hrtransit.org.
About Acuent
Acuent Inc., based in Parsippany, N.J., provides comprehensive services to integrate business and technology solutions for Fortune 1000 companies, institutions of higher education and the public sector. The company has more than 400 customers, including Lucas County, Ohio; Contra Costa County, Calif.; D.C. Public Schools; Exostar; Intermedia Communications; Port of Seattle; the State of Georgia; Twentieth Century Fox and the U.S. Army. Acuent has 400 employees and offices throughout the United States.