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All our software is developed, marketed and supported through our software division, SCI Resource Software. Our software products are designed for the unique requirements of large resource-based projects. Our software has been used successfully in mining, oil and gas, and natural resource development projects throughout Canada. Read the tabs below to view our range of products.

The ImpactBenefits component is a multi-level data collection and reporting system, designed to capture information related to employment, expenditures and training. Typically, during the construction phase of large projects, most employment and expenditures are undertaken by contractors rather than the project owner, and this software is designed to ensure transparency and consistency of data collection across multiple contractors and subcontractors. Data for this application is collected in two ways; directly from contractors, and via uploads from internal accounting systems (i.e. Peoplesoft, Oracle, JD Edwards, SAP). The upload process is designed to be straightforward, and uses standard data extraction routines to produce data in a suitable format.

Why Is It Unique?

The Impact Suite software was designed with an intimate understanding of the process and flow of resource-based construction and development projects, particularly projects being developed in sparsely populated areas and with Aboriginal and/or First Nations impact. Some of the key features of the Impact Benefits component include:

  • Simplified installation; software is completely web-based, and can be easily deployed to multiple locations, including locations with limited or slow connectivity (dialup or satellite).
  • Simplified data entry screens; the data collection requirements are very straightforward, and the user interface continually prompts users and provide feedback where necessary.
  • Comprehensive data collection: the application allows for the collection of a high degree of detail, in expenditures, employment breakdowns, training, etc.
  • Detailed real-time reporting can provide an up-to-the-minute overview of performance against targets, and can help to identify problem areas.
  • Data collection is tied to the invoice process, providing an effective means of ensuring that contractors provide the necessary data.
  • Ability to stratify data, to focus on specific geographic areas, types of business activities, etc.

Who Uses ImpactBenefits?

The Impact Suite has been implemented successfully on a range of projects throughout Canada, including:

  • Vale Inco’s Voisey`s Bay Nickel project, which includes a mine and concentrator in northern Labrador, a demonstration processing plant and the ongoing construction of a commercial processing plant at Long Harbour.
  • The De Beers Victor Project, a diamond mine on the coast of James Bay operated by De Beers Canada Inc.
  • Imperial Oil, for preliminary work related to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline in the Northwest Territories.
  • ConocoPhillips Canada, for preliminary work related to the Parsons Lake gas project in the Northwest Territories.
  • The Kivalliq Inuit Association, in relation to ongoing mining development projects throughout the Kivalliq region of Nunavut.
  • Imperial Oil, for the Kearl Oil Sands Project in Alberta.
  • ConocoPhillips Canada, for the Surmont Project in Alberta .
  • ExxonMobil Canada, for the Hebron Project in Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Nalcor Energy, for the Lower Churchill Project in Newfoundland & Labrador

The software has been recognized by aboriginal groups and government agencies for its ability to provide effective, time-sensitive and accurate monitoring of project performance.

The Skills Database and Candidate Search System is a web-enabled application designed specifically for use in the construction and operation phases of resource-based projects. The application is designed to allow stakeholder groups such as communities, business support groups, aboriginal associations, band councils, etc., to collaborate in the construction and maintenance of a skills inventory database.

The database contains information on potential candidates for employment, including education, work experience, certifications. The application can be used by stakeholder groups, such as those listed above, to enter and maintain candidate information. The information can then be made available to companies and contractors doing work in that area, to allow them to search the database for suitable candidates when an opportunity arises.

The database allows local groups to take maximum advantage of employment and career opportunities associated with mining and resource-based projects. The application runs as a web application, which means that no specific software needs to be installed on the user’s computer, and the application can be accessed from anywhere that a computer with an internet connection is available.

Application Modes

The application operates in two distinct modes;

The Administration Component is used to manage system settings, create users, administer lookup tables, and to create and edit candidate profiles. Rights within the administration component are determined by the specific user type; for example a representative of a stakeholder group may be able to view and update candidate profiles for members of that group, but would not be able to create users or modify tables.

The Vendor Component is designed for use by contractors and others who are looking for workers. Typically, when a contract is awarded a vendor will be provided with access to the ImpactSkills application, given an orientation in its use, and the contractor can then access up-to-date resumes for potential workers online.

All access to the application is closely monitored, both for security reasons and also to track how and when users are accessing the application.

Administrative Component

The administrative component is used to administer the application, as well as for the maintenance of candidate information. Screens are logically organized and simple to navigate. Collectors simply complete the forms with information from potential candidates, following a logical sequence.

Form completion is straightforward, with dropdown lists for tables, and self-populating lists for items such as schools, towns/cities, skills, etc. In remote or northern locations, candidates may sometimes lack skills in resume preparation and general writing skills; the questionnaire process implemented in the software eliminates the need for formal layout or organization of the candidate’s personal information, work history, training and certifications. When the process is completed, the end result is an accurate and properly formatted resume that is viewable by potential employers.

The candidate information form can be easily customized during installation to include additional desired template fields such as other languages, aboriginal groups, date of birth, etc.

The administrative component is also used for administration of lookup tables, creation of user accounts, and general administration of the application.

The user maintenance component also allows administrators to view activity by user, for example to confirm how and when specific contractors have used the application. Every login is tracked, and at the administrator level a users’ access history can be viewed at any time.

Vendor Component

When a contractor is given access to the ImpactSkills application, they are permitted only to access the vendor component. This component is designed to simplify searching for specific candidates, and no information is collected on candidates.

Vendors can search for candidates through a variety of criteria including:

  • Training received
  • Licenses/Certifications
  • Trades and trade status (apprentice, journeyperson, etc)
  • Occupational Code (NOC Code)
  • Keyword(s)
  • Aboriginal group or affiliation

Although this is hidden from the user, the application can also be configured to present candidates in terms of hiring priority. For example, if a project has hiring priorities that specify preference by aboriginal group, location, gender, etc., or a combination thereof, the application can be configured to present candidates in that order. Candidates are returned randomly, but in the sequence determined by the hiring priority. Vendors are free to reorganize the results as they are returned, and can easily sort or search by other elements such as name, aboriginal status, etc.

When viewing candidates, the vendor will see a properly formatted resume-type listing, incorporating all data that has been provided for a specific candidate.

While no assumptions can be made about the current employment status for individuals in the system, the application does provide an indication when a candidate appears to be currently working. Candidates are encouraged to update their profile when taking a position, both to keep the information current and also to streamline the process for vendors looking for available candidates.

Users of the system are provided with several forms of assistance while using the application. A user manual is available online, in PDF format. In addition, as shown above each screen incorporates context-sensitive help links for users that explain the options and functionality of the current screen.

The ImpactCommitments component is a data collection, tracking and reporting system, designed to identify and capture information related to commitments and obligations arising from large-scale project developments.

During the planning and implementation of large projects, commitments are made through many areas including:

  • Project Undertaking orders
  • Environmental Impact Statements
  • Licenses and permits
  • Environmental Review Process
  • Community consultations
  • Local and aboriginal agreements

For the project operator, the challenge comes in recording and managing those commitments, assigning responsibility, tracking compliance, and documenting the entire process. This is particularly challenging, since the participants often change as the project moves from approval, through community and aboriginal negotiations, into construction, operations and decommissioning.

ImpactCommitments provides the ability to record a commitment, identify the source, determine mitigation steps, assign responsibilities, and track activities related to that commitment throughout the process.

The application provides multiple views of the data, including customized task lists by person, category, status, time frame, etc., as well as a calendar view showing pending actions and status.

Commitments can be searched by a variety of categories such as keyword, category, geographical location, stakeholder, or combinations of those. Users can quickly identify and catalog all references to a particular topic or keyword quickly, ensuring an accurate and timely response to questions or community concerns.

All views can be easily exported to Excel, Word or PDF.

Email Broadcast

The software incorporates a broadcast function, which can be configured to email status updates and reminders to designated individuals, either automatically or interactively. Typically the email will include past due and pending reminders for tasks for which the recipient is responsible. Users can review the status of items they are responsible for, and either respond using the email form, or use the link to go directly into the software and provide an update.

Reporting

The application incorporates customized reporting capabilities which provide a virtually infinite range of views into the data.

Reports are properly formatted for printing, and can be exported into other formats such as PDF or Excel for inclusion in other reports if desired.

Administration

The application is completely web-based, and all administration is done through the web interface.

The Impact Contact Managercomponent is designed to provide a robust and highly functional interface for collecting and tracking contact and communication information associated with a project in development. Typically, during the pre-development and construction phases of large projects, comprehensive government and community relations program are initiated. The challenge for project operators is how to manage and maintain the information that arises during these programs, and how to quickly and easily share that information between the project team members. Contact Manager is designed to collect a broad range of information, and to present that information in a variety of formats.

What Information is Collected?

Contacts

Contacts related to the project can be recorded. While only a minimum amount of information is required to initially enter the contact, for key contacts users can enter a substantial amount of information, photos, personal characteristics and so on.

In addition to the baseline data, the application can also be used to record;

Groups and Associations political affiliations, memberships, business associations, etc.
Contact History Record a complete and comprehensive list of contacts, emails, letters, meetings, telephone calls, etc.
Related Contacts Identify relationships between specific contacts; ie personal friends, relatives, inside relationships within business or government, and so on
Notes Record notes or comments about the individual, over time, as freeform comments.
Publications For media sources, social groups, etc., record details about reports, news articles, publications, etc. The application can also allow you to store the document or article for quick reference

Groups

Groups are recorded by type and group name, along with a consolidated list of members.

As people are added, and group affiliations are identified, the lists are automatically consolidated to show those memberships for quick reference.

Key Dates/Milestones

Contact Manager incorporates a comprehensive calendar for identifying and scheduling key dates, activities, events, meetings, etc. and showing those in a consolidated view.

Recurring meetings can easily be scheduled and set to recur on a variety of schedules. For added functionality, the calendar can easily be exported toMicrosoft Outlook or other scheduling software.

Media Resources

Contact Manager provides the ability to store a variety of media resources, including;

  • News articles (as PDF files)
  • Video clips
  • Audio clips

This feature allows the user to archive selected articles or other media files, and creates an easily accessible media history for the project.

Media Monitoring

Through SCI’s proprietary media monitoring technology, Contact Manager can also provide a continually-updated list of news articles related to your project or other activities of interest. This media monitoring utilizes a variety of local, national and international news sources, and will display articles that meet the criteria selected during the setup of your software.

The list of media articles is updated regularly (checked approximately every 20 minutes) and can be configured to the specific requirements of your project.

 

Printing Options

Contact Manager provides a variety of ways to extract information in printed format, including;

  • Individual contact sheet for a specific person
  • Group membership lists
  • Mailing labels by group, contact type, etc.

Information can also be extracted into other formats (ie Excel) for other uses

Why Is It Unique?

The Impact Suite software was designed with an intimate understanding of the process and flow of resource-based construction and development projects, particularly projects being developed in sparsely populated areas and with Aboriginal and/or First Nations impact.

Contact Manager is completely web-based, and is available from anywhere you can access the internet. The application incorporates a high level of security and authentication for users, while still providing unrestricted access to validated users.

The software is specifically designed for the kinds of data collection and campaign management activities that occur around resource-based projects.

The software is designed to simplify the process of data collection; lists are constructed automatically as data is entered, reducing the amount of typing required.

Immediate sharing of data; as information is entered, it is made available immediately to other users.

SCI’s Media Monitoring component provides a realtime media tracking interface, which provides detailed and timely tracking of your project and how it is presented in the media.