Transit Finance Learning Exchange

Business Intelligence and Asset Management
(Field of Study: Finance)
March 12-13, 2012
March 13, 2012 – Business Meeting

Program Content/Learning Objectives
As transit agencies implement new Business Intelligence (BI) technologies, more and more data is available to assist in decision making. Many agencies are also using new tools for managing their fixed assets. This workshop will have sessions geared to: 1) how agencies are developing and implementing BI projects; 2) how agencies can use BI in analyzing and reporting data; 3) industry initiatives (including FTA efforts) in managing assets and determining state of good repair of existing assets; and, 3) what fare collection methodologies are being put into place at different agencies. After attending this conference, participants will be able to:

• Understand how a business case for a Business Intelligence program for the transit industry can be developed and what the program mechanics for BI are.
• Learn how Washington Metro is using a new technology tool to implement Business Intelligence at their agency.
• Learn how RTA Chicago is using a grant from the FTA to report to their stakeholders on their systems state of good repair.
• Receive updated information on new fare collection practices being contemplated throughout the transit industry.
• Identify and share best practices through "Needs & Leads"

Group-Live Delivery Method
Program Level: Advanced
Pre-Conference Reading Material Provided
No Prerequisites*
Earn 10 CPE credits

*This program is at an advanced level of continuing education. Although no prerequisite course or work experience is needed to participate in this program, working knowledge of finance and transportation practices and policies, and knowledge of the program topic, is required.

To register for this course, contact, Irene DeMers, at 214-749-2630 or visit our Web site, www.tflex.org. For more information regarding refund, complaint and program cancellation policies, please contact Irene DeMers at 214-749-2630.

Click here to register online.

Transit–Finance Learning Exchange (T-FLEx) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org

To attend:

Location: Hilton Arlington in Arlington, Virginia
Address: 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, Virginia, United States 22203
Telephone: 703/528-6000
www.arlingtonva.hilton.com

Housing: The guaranteed maximum room rate is $249/night, however you may be able to get a lower rate depending on when you are planning on arriving. The Group code for our room block is “TRA”. You can call 1-800-Hiltons and request “TRA” or go to www.arlingtonva.hilton.com and put in your arrival and departure dates and then on the second page use group/convention code TRA.

Fees: The registration fee for the workshop is $125 per participant. Make check payable to "TFLEx", or use PayPal (PayPal account not required) - link for PayPay at www.tflex.org. Mail a check to:

Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Attention: Sharon Leary
POBox 660163
1401 Pacific Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75266-7243

DAILY WORKSHOP AGENDA (Draft posted 2/5/2012)

Day One – Monday, March 12, 2012 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Registration and Continental Breakfast
Welcome and Review of Meeting Objectives
Business Intelligence Overview
Business Intelligence Program Mechanics
Business Intelligence Demonstration
Lunch – Speaker – Bob Tuccillo - Associate Administrator/CFO - FTA
Asset Management Roundtable
Needs & Leads

Monday night group dinner

Day Two – Tuesday March 13, 2012 (8:00 a.m.-noon)

Registration and Continental Breakfast
Welcome and Review of Meeting Objectives
Update on Fare Collection Procurements
Strategic Initiatives in Fare Collection
Changes in Open Payment Technologies / Guest Speaker
Wrap-up Day Two and Overall Workshop Evaluation

Lunch (noon – 1:30 p.m.)

Business Meeting (1:30-4:00 p.m.)
Please note that attendance at the business meeting is a must for at least one representative of member agencies. Representatives must be authorized to speak for their agency during the meeting.

TFLEx Accomplishments

Bi-Annual Workshops

TFLEx members meet twice annually to share best practices and "needs and leads," learn from industry experts and work together to develop and maintain the ongoing TFLEx Business Plan. These are facilitated workshops where all members are able to participate in roundtable discussions.

Training and Professional Development

TFLEx members identified a need to educate finance staff in the field of transit without extensive costs. Transit 101 was developed as a web-based instructional tool to bring information regarding the transit field to the desktops of staff members whether in finance or other departments. Modules deployed to date include Federal, State, and Local Funding; Procurement; Paratransit Operations: Fare Policy; and Regulatory Framework. Others are in development with a total of 26 planned.

Financial Operations Best Practices

Sharing management tools such as benchmarking, activity-based costing, process mapping, balanced scorecard, key performance indicators, and best practices has been an ongoing activity of members attending the bi-annual workshops. Transit systems taking the lead in these practices share their successes and "opportunities" with their fellow members.

Website Services

Membership in TFLEx provides access to entire TFLEx website. Here members share such information as:

• Posting of templates for finance policy and procedure manuals, RFPs, MOUs, etc.
• "Needs and leads" forum, members post questions that they are researching and request any available information from other members.
• Workshop agendas and presentations.
• Information directory of all TFLEx member contracts.
• Members have access to the complete website, while visitors may only view certain areas.

TFLEx Membership

TFLEx has a goal of 30-35 members. While membership is filling up fast, we still have room for additional members. Annual membership dues are determined by agency size

Membership includes attendance at the twice yearly workshops for a nominal fee. Click here for more information on how to join.

Sharepoint website is available for members use TFLEx has created a new website in Sharepoint for its members. It is located at https://tflex.securespsites.com/ (Password required) At this time, we are not creating new accounts on the old site. If you are requesting a new account, visit New Account Registration (Sharepoint) to request an account on the new site.