IT Solutions & Services
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IT Solutions & Services
“The ITSS Strategic Audit provided us withinvaluable insights into the gaps we hadin respect of the IT related business riskswe had unknowingly been running. It alsohighlighted the opportunities we had toleverage technology better and achievethe maximum business benefit from ourinvestment in IT Solutions and Services.”
Alan Hughes Commercial Manager, Morris Group
“ITSS provided an invaluable independentservice between our business and ITsuppliers, helping us fully define thebusiness need and make sure weprocured an effective new ITinfrastructure whilst reducing businessrisk and saving over 40% in the process.”
Peter NesbittDirector, Fimak Group
“ITSS expertise was essential in theprocess of identifying and selecting the right software development partner and securing best value.”
Peter Loverdos, Operations Director, Romans Group
“By calling in ERA IT Solutions andServices we ensured best practice in ITprocurement was applied and saved anextra 17.5% on the refresh of a substantialpart of our IT Infrastructure.”
Andy LowdenDirector of Finance and Administration,Robert Gordon’s College
‘‘ITSS guidance and expertise was criticalto the successful overhaul of all ourprinting, scanning and documentproduction facilities and processes. With their help we now have a ManagedPrint infrastructure and an outsourced on-site Print Room service that deliversexactly what our business needs andwhich is exceptional value for money.’’
Mike SmithFinance Director, Eversheds Ireland
Expense Reduction Analysts What our clients say2
What our clients say
Quick ReferenceWhat our clients say 2Expense Reduction Analysts ITSS 4Managing Partners 5Health Checks 6Strategic Services 7IT Governance and Strategy Review 9IT Strategy Development 10Business Case Development 11IT Policy Development and Audit 12IT Service Support Review 13
IT Service Availability and Continuity Review 14IT Director Service 15Procurement and delivery Services 16Enterprise solutions procurement 18IT infrastructure procurement 19IT services procurement 20Data and voice communications 21IT commodities procedure 22IT solutions delivery and change
management 23
Quick Reference Expense Reduction Analysts 3
ITSS helps its clients evaluate theeffectiveness, associated risks and valuefor money of current IT solutions andservices and identifies opportunities forimprovement. We help clients eliminatewaste, manage IT related business risk,operate to best practice and build andevaluate business cases for change.
Once a decision is made to procure a new IT solution or service ITSS can manage thatprocurement for the client, working with theirteam to ensure requirements are agreed andspecified. Expense Reduction Analysts thenuses its extensive knowledge of the ITSolutions and Services market to identifycapable suppliers and include them in theprocurement process.
We run the procurement process in line with best practice and in line with any existing procurement guidelines within the
Expense Reduction Analysts IT Solutions and Services(ITSS) provides strategic IT services to ExpenseReduction Analysts’ clients and delivers effectivestrategies and policies for the use of InformationTechnology within their businesses.
Expense ReductionAnalysts ITSS
client organisation (e.g. OJEU). ITSS uses itsskills, market knowledge and leverage tonegotiate the best possible contract on theclient’s behalf.
Once a new IT solution or service is procured,ITSS can provide the expertise for client sideproject management of delivery, working withthe supplier and client staff to ensure projectsare properly planned, managed and controlledthrough to implementation. Finally, ITSS canhelp monitor and manage the delivery of theexpected business benefits of the solution orservice.
ITSS is managed by Michael Hully and ChrisBrown. Michael has previously directed IT for an Irish PLC and been a ManagingDirector within an international IT Solutionsand Services group, whilst Chris has directed IT for both a leading e-gaming company and a national public transport company.
Expense Reduction Analysts Expense Reduction Analysts ITSS4
ManagingPartners
Michael HullyA highly qualified business professional with 25 years analysing, developing, procuring and delivering IT business solutions. Director level experience in both a leading IT Solutions and Services vendor and a manufacturing Plc.
Qualifications and Areas of Experience• BSc in Computer Science and MBA qualified• 25 years in the field of selling, building and
delivering IT solutions and related businesschange processes
• 5 years directing Processes & IT for an Irish PLC• 10 years at Board level in an international IT
Solutions and services group• 10 years in Project Management, Quality
Management, Systems Analysis and Software Development for one of the largest IT Solutions and Services companies in the UK.
Chris BrownAn entrepreneurial business professional with30 years experience of delivering cutting edgeIT solutions in the travel and gaming industries.With director level experience of analysingproblems and delivering solutions in both onlineand offline environments in the UK and Europe.
Qualifications and Areas of Experience• BA in Business and Transport• 30 years of building and delivering IT solutions
and managing the related business change• 10 years directing IT and Telesales for a major
division of a UK PLC• 6 years at Board level in an international
online and offline gaming group• 3 years delivering profound business change
for a legacy gambling business; moving theproduct portfolio online and fundamentallyredefining the future IT strategy
ExpertiseExperience in a wide range of sectors including Manufacturing, Retailing, Wholesale & Distribution,Transport, Betting and Gaming, Financial Services, Local Government and Professional services inboth online and offline environments.
Michael Hully Chris Brown
Services offered• IT service availability and continuity
planning review• Online marketing and strategy audit• IT service support review• IT departmental structure and process audit
• IT Strategy development• IT policy and governance consultancy• IT solution procurement & negotiation• IT services outsourcing consultancy• Project Management & Troubleshooting
Managing Partners Expense Reduction Analysts 5
An organizational IT Health Check fromExpense Reduction Analysts will give youan easy to understand assessment on howwell your organisation is currently directing IT investment, delivering IT solutions,infrastructure and services to the business.
A Programme or Project Health Check fromITSS provides an analysis of the status ofcurrently in play IT enabled changeprogrammes.
BenefitsKnow at a summary level how yourorganisation’s approach to IT comparesagainst best practice in the following areas:
• Strategic management• Policies• Structure and skills• IT operational and financial management• Service delivery processes• Service support processes
Get a disinterested view and analysis of thereasons behind the malaise in a current ITbusiness change programme or project
Sometimes there is a feeling that everything is not rightin the IT world and there is a need for an independentaudit to inform senior stakeholders
together with recommendations forcorrective actions.
Process
Interviews with a selection of key stakeholdersand inspection of current working documentsand procedures.
DeliverableAn overview report identifying issues,comparing current practice with best practiceand recommendations as appropriate fororganisational development or projectcorrective action.
Health Checks
Expense Reduction Analysts Health Checks6
Strategic Services Expense Reduction Analysts 7
Without effective IT governance that fully involves key business leaders, thebenefits offered through the use of IT will not be realised.
Ineffective or non existent policies increaserisk to the business from the mismanagementor misuse of IT.
ITSS helps client organisations align their IT decisionmaking to business strategy and business priorities. Ithelps them manage IT related business risk and achievebest value from their available IT budget.
A lack of strategic planning may place thebusiness at risk of failure in the event of amajor IT problem.
Without a clear understanding of the return generated by current IT investment any strategic planning decisions may be suboptimal.
Strategic Services
Expense Reduction Analysts Strategic Services8
Services Offered
Governance and Strategy Review Implement effective forums, steeringprocesses and policies for managing ITstrategically
Strategy Development Align IT to business strategy, declareagreed priorities and direction for IT
Business Case Development Make IT investment with better insight
Policy Development & Audit Develop policies on IT usage andmanagement and audit compliance
Service Support ReviewEnsure best value from the mix of internaland external support services
Service Availability & continuity review Know the real risk to your business as aresult of IT failure
IT Director service Have Director level IT steering on anongoing basis as needed
ITInfrastructures
IT Solutions& Tools
IT Service Support
IT Strategy
IT Governance & Policy
Strategic Services
IT Governance and Strategy Review Expense Reduction Analysts 9
An organisation that does not have a clear direction forIT that firmly aligns investment priorities to businessstrategy will fail to maximise the opportunity that IToffers and waste valuable resources.
IT Governance and Strategy Review
Benefits• Identify how the current process of IT
strategic management and governance isviewed by the different stakeholder groups in the organisation
• Know how well current IT strategy is aligned to business strategy
• Know if director stewardship responsibilitiesare being fulfilled for IS&T
• Identify potential gaps in areas as such asbusiness continuity, information security and data protection.
ProcessThrough interviews with senior managementand staff and a review of existing businessstrategy, IT strategy and IT policy documentationagainst best practice, the IT Strategy Reviewcompiles a picture of the current situationidentifying gaps and making recommendationsfor improvement.
DeliverableA detailed IT Strategy Review report covering ITstrategy, IT steering, IT policies and governance,IT management control and reporting.
Without a clear process for gainingagreement and commitment within theorganisation it is likely that technologycentred business change initiatives willfail to deliver.
An IT Strategy review considers existingprocesses and structures within the ExpenseReduction Analysts client company forcompiling, agreeing and steering all aspects ofInformation Systems and Technology (IS&T)Strategy. It also reviews current policies andgovernance against good practice and thestewardship responsibilities of directors.
An IT Strategy Review works with seniormanagement, Information Systems andTechnology (IS&T) staff and other relevantstakeholders to develop, agree andpublish an IT strategy that aligns with thecurrent needs and future direction ofthe organisation.
Benefits• Align IT strategy and focus to business
strategy• Set the direction and framework for future
IS&T decision making• Agreement on the direction and priorities
of IS&T
Without a detailed, published IT strategy an organisationwill often fail to consistently focus efforts and resourceon the right IT initiatives and will end up with a mix of systems and technologies that fail to fully supportthe business.
ProcessThrough interviews with senior managementand staff and a review of existing businessstrategy, IT strategy and IT policydocumentation against best practice, the ITStrategy Review compiles a picture of thecurrent situation, identifies gaps and makesrecommendations for improvement.
DeliverableAn IT strategy document that comprises the following key elements:• Business strategy extracts • Systems delivery and technical strategies• IS&T key principles • Infrastructure & solutions architecture
overviews• IS&T steering processes • Current and planned projects• Vision and priorities for each function
and stake holder group• IT management processes
IT StrategyDevelopment
Expense Reduction Analysts IT Strategy Development10
Business Case Development Expense Reduction Analysts 11
Business Case Development
ITSS provides the expertise to help size thelikely cost and time frames for new ITChange Programme. Drawing on our ownexperience and asking the right questionsof the right potential suppliers and other
stakeholders, we can build a likely pictureof the financial and non-financial costs andbenefits of suggested initiatives. Thisenables the Board to take better informeddecisions on IT investment priorities.
Every organisation has limited resources andjust because an initiative seems at a high levelto be worth doing that is not always the case.
Without a set of best practice based IT policies thatclearly set out the principles and way in which people inthe organisation are to procure, manage and use IT whathappens in practice will be at best inconsistent and atworst severely damaging to the business.
IT Policy Development and Audit
An IT policy development project workswith senior management, InformationSystems and Technology (IS&T) staff andother relevant stakeholders to develop,agree and publish a set of IT policies for the organisation. Expense ReductionAnalysts then provides an audit service to periodically check and report oncompliance.
Benefits• Direction provided to all staff on what is
acceptable use of IT• Clarity on responsibilities and accountabilities
for IT management and IT usage• Compliance with best practice on IT Security
Management and Data protection• Protect the organisation in the event of HR
disputes about misuse of IT• A guidance framework from which detailed
IT procedures can be developed
ProcessThrough interviews with senior managementand staff a set of IT policies are compiled,agreed and published for the organisation.Policies are developed with reference to theBS7799/ISO17799 standard for IT Securitypolicies. Audit records are defined and, ifrequired, Expense Reduction Analysts can provide a periodic audit service that checksand reports on compliance.
DeliverableAn IT policy document that details theorganisation’s stance on all the main areas of IT usage and management (e.g. securinghardware, controlling access to information,internet usage). Defined audit records andprocesses.
Periodic audit reports documenting policycompliance and recommending any policy changes or corrective actions.
Expense Reduction Analysts IT Policy Development and Audit12
IT Service Support Review Expense Reduction Analysts 13
An IT Service support review evaluatescurrent IT service delivery and supportactivities within Expense Reduction Analystsclient companies against current industrybest practice.
Benefits• Independent assessment on the size and
structure of an internal IT department• Evaluation of current internal IT function
processes and tools against industry bestpractice
• Independent assessment of key performanceindicators in place and related performance
• Evaluation of current management processesfor external supply partners
• Identification of potential areas for better value through internal or external change
ProcessAn IT service support review engages with the company’s IT team, business users and external IT service partners to assess
IT delivery and support is often a mysterious black box to many directors. Without an insight into whether thestructure and mix of internal IT staff and external ITpartners is optimal and whether IT services are beingmanaged in line with best practice, it is impossible to assessif improvements could be made or better value obtained.
the structures, resource levels, processes and performance measures against theorganisational needs of the company andindustry best practice in IT service delivery and support.
DeliverableA detailed IT service support review report thatbenchmarks performance against best practiceand recommends a development roadmap andkey performance indicators for IT service deliveryand support for the organisation.
IT Service Support Review
Without a clear understanding of the business risksinherent within the current IT architecture and theadequacy of plans to address those risks or recovershould the risk become reality directors are potentiallyfailing in their obligation to provide sound stewardshipof the business.
IT Service Availability andContinuity Review
An IT service availability and continuityplanning review helps ExpenseReduction Analysts clients uncover howresilient their business is to potentialfailures in IT services and if the capabilityto recover is in line with business need.
Benefits• Clearly identify where the risks are to
business operations from service failure• Identify opportunities for risk mitigation,
risk avoidance or risk transference• Know if current IS&T plans for continued
business continuity are adequate• Reduce business insurance through
demonstrable risk management
ProcessAn IT business availability and continuityplanning review engages businessstakeholders, IT team members, existing and potential IT service partners to:• Identify risks to IT services and their
business impact• Assess the likelihood of occurrence and
the risk priorities• Identify and cost proactive measures to
reduce the likelihood of IT failure• Assess plans for maintaining business
operation in the event of IT failure
DeliverableA detailed service availability and continuity report detailing current risks andidentifying opportunities for counteractingthese risks as well as an evaluationof the adequacy of current IT resilience and business continuity plans.
Expense Reduction Analysts IT Service Availability and Continuity Review14
IT Director Service Expense Reduction Analysts 15
Expense Reduction Analysts can offer IT Director level expertise to help guide a client’s business. This can be provided on a basis that suits the client. Forexample, attendance at scheduled Boardmeetings or senior managementmeetings, a programmed annual or bi-annual review of status or a number of days per annum to call off as required.
Once the IT strategy for a business is defined andprogrammes of work are in place to deliver the strategythat is not the end game. Business changes, businessstrategy changes and IT strategy must reflect thesechanges. The pace of change in Information Technologyis rapid. It is essential that IT is represented at the toptable in the organisation to make sure that the ITstrategy remains current and effective.
Benefits• Director level expertise on an as required basis• Expertise used to bridging the gap between IT
and the business• Keep business strategy aligned with IT
strategy on an ongoing basis
ProcessAn Expense Reduction Analysts IT Consultant:• Agrees the support or review process and
period that meets your need• Provides support or completes review
assignments as agreed
DeliverableIT director level expertise made available toprovide strategic level input on an agreed basis.
IT Director Service
Without agreeing, documenting anddefining the business IT need poorbuying will result.
Without market knowledge and selectingthe right partner the best solution orservice will not be chosen.
Without having professional projectmanagement on the client side chosensolutions may be implemented poorly.
Without close ongoing management ofsupply partners high levels of service andgood value for money will not continue.
ITSS helps organisations procure IT solutions that meetbusiness needs at the best possible price. It helps themeffectively manage implementation, realise business benefits and manage ongoing supplier partnerships.
Services Offered
ITSS helps clients to procure, implementand get the best possible value for moneyin the following areas:
• Enterprise or Departmental solutions• IT Infrastructure projects• IT Services• Data and Voice communications• IT Commodities and Consumables
Procurement and delivery Services
Expense Reduction Analysts Procurement and delivery Services16
Procurement and delivery Services Expense Reduction Analysts 17
Procurement & Delivery...
ITStrategy
Document the
position
Check ongoing service
deliveredIdentify
gapsDashboard
Management
Identify potential solutions
KPI reporting
Develop business
cases
Co-ordinate benefit delivery
Specifythe need
Manage supplier interface
Manage selection process
Co-ordinate client
resource
S
Current Position
Stage 1
Supp
lier M
anagement
Stage 6
Bene
fits
real
isat
ion
Stag
e 5
Stage 4
ImplementationStage 3
Procure the solution
Identify Opportunities
Stage 2
ITSS take clients through the full cycle of clearly establishing and documenting thecurrent position, identifying opportunities, procuring the best solution and thenmanaging implementation, benefits realisation and ongoing supplier performance.
For mid-sized and larger organisationsthere are very real risks that
• Failing to agree and clearly define theneed will result in poor buying
• A lack of market knowledge and ability todetermine the right partner can result inthe best option not being chosen
• A lack of experienced projectmanagement on the client side can easilyresult in poor implementation
• Lack of expertise and rigor in themanagement of supply partners canmean that effective service and value formoney does not continue longer term.
ITSS helps organisations procure ITsolutions that meet business needs at thebest possible price. It helps themeffectively manage implementation, realisebusiness benefits and manage ongoingsupplier partnerships.
Buying the right IT Solution or Service is difficult. There can be many stakeholders to satisfy, manypotential sources to choose from and limited resources available both in terms of key peoples time to dedicate to the selection and implementationprocess and funds available.
Our Consulting Partners have in depthexperience of co-ordinating diversestakeholder groups and delivering clearlydefined needs that are agreed by all parties.With our in depth market knowledge ITSS isable to ensure that the right vendors areapproached, the right questions are askedand that procurement processes are run inline with best practice.
The ITSS experience in negotiating large andcomplex IT Solutions and Services dealsenables us to deliver the best possible valuefor money agreements.
ITSS can provide Project or ProgrammeManagement expertise to help manageclient side resources and the benefitsrealization process. We also can provideongoing periodic supplier serviceperformance audit and management.
Enterprise solutionsprocurement
Expense Reduction Analysts Enterprise solutions procurement18
IT infrastructure solution procurement Expense Reduction Analysts 19
Our involvement has saved clients over 40%of their initially anticipated budget forcomplex infrastructure replacement projectscomprising hardware, systems software, ITcommunications and all related installationand support services.
ITSS is experienced in sourcing new IT infrastructuresolutions to meet the needs of different organisations.Our business focus combined with our experience oftechnologies, market knowledge and supplier leverageenables us to source multi-faceted solutions thatprovide the requisite performance, quality and supplierservice at the lowest possible price.
This has been achieved both by identifyingmore cost effective ways of achieving theend result and delivering more competitivepricing than clients were able to achievethemselves.
IT infrastructure solution procurement
The provision of IT is complex and many mid-sizedorganisations feel that it is neither core business nor effective for them to try and provide thoseservices internally.
IT servicesprocurement
Finding the right outsourced partner ischallenging and much is at stake.Whichever supplier is chosen will have tolive up to expectations and become asupplier of what can be a business criticalservice.
ITSS is experienced in helping clients findthe most appropriate IT service partners fortheir business in areas such as
• IT Software Development• IT Hosting• Service Desk• Hardware Break and Fix• Managed Print
Expense Reduction Analysts IT services procurement20
Data and voice communications Expense Reduction Analysts 21
ITSS helps clients procure the mostappropriate solutions for Data and Voiceand helps significantly reduce the cost ofcommunications.
When Data and voice contracts come up forrenewal ITSS combines a forensic analyticalapproach, technology and marketknowledge, and professional procurementexpertise to deliver savings to clients.
Client input into our projects is minimal andat a steering level so there is no distractionof client personnel from more importantoperational activities while these projectsare delivered.
Post procurement we then provide ongoingsupplier management and billing audits toensure that new supply prices are properlyimplemented and expected savings arerealized.
Although savings can never be guaranteedour track record shows that we havedelivered savings to clients of in excess of35% of their annual spend.
Our services can be provided on a 100%shared savings basis so clients can benefitfrom our expertise in the knowledge that ifno savings are found then no consulting feesare incurred.
Data and voice communications
ITSS combines a mix of forensic analysis,technology and market knowledge, buyingpower and professional procurementexpertise to deliver savings to clients overand above what they are able to achieveinternally. These savings are never made as aresult of sacrificing product or service quality.
Post implementation of new procurementagreements we provide ongoing suppliermanagement and billing audits to ensure that new supply prices are properly implemented and expected savings are realized.
Client input into our projects is minimal andat a steering level so there is no distraction
ITSS can reduce the cost of IT commodities andconsumables such as peripherals, servers, cables and other accessories for most organisations.
of client personnel from more importantoperational activities while these costreduction projects are delivered.
Our services can often be provided on a100% shared savings basis so clients canbenefit from our expertise in the knowledgethat if no savings are found then noconsulting fees are incurred.
For large clients with significant ongoingconsumable procurements we canimplement long term supply agreementsthat minimize purchase prices andadministration costs and then manageongoing contract administration for a smallpercentage of the contract value.
IT commoditiesprocurement
Expense Reduction Analysts IT commodities procurement22
IT solutions delivery and change management Expense Reduction Analysts 23
ITSS provides project managementexpertise to help client companiesprofessionally manage their resourcesduring the delivery of an IT solution.Post implementation Expense ReductionAnalysts helps drive out the expectedbenefits of an IT Solution by liaising withstakeholders, defining and monitoringperformance indicators and escalating asnecessary to the project sponsor.
Benefits• Professional planning and management of
client side project resource• Monitoring of overall supplier performance
against contract• Client interests fully represented on issues of
change management and contract variation• Visibility to senior client management of
ongoing progress and timely escalation ofrisk and issues
When an IT solution is contracted it is essential that bothproject and benefits delivery is professionally managed.While it is expected that a supplier will provide goodproject management, an essential component of success is client side project management that monitors supplierdelivery, manages contractual variations, marshals clientside resources and keeps project sponsors informed.
• Professional management of benefitsrealisation post implement
ProcessAn Expense Reduction Analysts Consultant;• Sets and agrees the project management
processes and governance• Works with the Supplier Project Manager
and client stake holders to formulate anddeliver on implementation plans that workfor the business
• Produces regular progress reports andescalates issues
• Identifies and manages resolution of changeand risk management issues
• Identifies KPIs for benefits realisation andworks with stake holders to ensure expectedbenefits are delivered
DeliverableA well managed IT solution delivery projectand a visible benefits realisation programme.
IT solutions delivery andchange management
Expense ReductionAnalysts
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