Prior to this time period I had a feeling that everything was about me, for me and caused by me.  Now I feel that I am but a small part of bigger plan and my active participation, sharing and helping others is really the goal. This year has included extensive work and pleasure related travel all over the US and Canada.  It became evident that these travels were meant more to help others much beyond those we had planned to visit. What I mean is that many other people in need came directly into view. I hope and pray this continues.

Finally back at home catching up on school work and household chores, re-connecting with friends, attending our own church and planning next years escapades. Thanks for everyone’s help, it has meant so very much.  Hopefully some time for a little play.

Seriously, at a time when the global business environment is the most competitive ever, when IT capabilities to deliver real value have never been higher; many organizations find themselves trapped in survival mode with the only tool left in the kit being a knife to cut costs.  We are advocating a better approach, by using IT Measurement Frameworks we help you identify the real fat, (opportunities) and turn it into opportunity.  In fact recent successes using this approach have provided a 3-10 times ROI, just what the CFO wants to hear.

Other features of this Micromation approach include the following:

·         Utilizes Quick Start approach – normally provides results in 30 days or less

·         Extremely low cost diagnostic utilizing automated data gathering tools

·         Provides detailed metrics and measurements that provide the data to make and support decisions

·         Quickly turn results into a formal Business Case, Cost Benefit Analysis or Industry Benchmark Report

·         Can be first step in implementing ongoing measurement frameworks

·         Follows industry standards such as ITIL, COBIT, ITAM, ISO CMMI…

Let us know if you are interested to see how this approach can work for you.  Contact me directly at glen.macdonald@micromationinc.com or visit our web site for more information @ www.micromationinc.com 

At Micromation we have identified a new tactical approach to quickly identify and bring rapid and continued results to your most pressing IT problem areas.  We call this approach, IT Service Rationalization and Measurement Framework.  Through this approach and the use of IT Measurement Frameworks we have been able to identify the three most common improvement themes which emerge time and again including:  

·         Operational Excellence

·         Improved Business Alignment

·         Compliance and Regulation 

Our approach incorporates an advanced measurement framework, automated data gathering techniques and advanced analytics engines that not only identify the focus areas but also identify solution alternatives and provide an ongoing measurement tool set.  We have found this approach to be superior for providing quick wins, large paybacks and providing the backdrop for a Continuous Improvement Program.  Another benefit of our program is that it allows your own people to learn how to incorporate measurements, process improvements and to develop services that incorporate the ITIL standards.

So instead of talking about how to get improvements and training people about improvements, this approach provides a quick way forward and the starting point for utilizing measurements to drive success.  For more information go to our web site, www.micromationinc.com or call me, Glen MacDonald directly at 678-983-3100.

We have found the the most effecient way to improve communications between IT and the business are to create a Service Catalogue of all IT services used by the business.  The methodology we have created utilizes the ITIL v3 framework and our own processes for documenting and development of the Service Catalogue.  It has been very effective in improving communication and creating mutual respect and understanding of the complexity of each others roles.

In addition to the benefits of the Service Catalogue, our process also includes the development and implementation of a comprehensive metrics and scorecard program.  This puts in place the basis for real understanding of service goals, actual delivery results and points out opportunities for for improvement.

For more information on this program, please go to www.micromationinc.com

It is a generally accepted principle in business today that IT is a foundational operating component and also the future strategic enabler of the business. However, recent studies demonstrate the significant gap that exists between what IT thinks it should be doing and what the Business Units think IT should be doing. Add to this the built-in expectation for IT to deliver more services with fewer resources; when reality for many shops is that there truly is more to deliver just to keep the lights on. Ask any CIO and they will easily provide a list of 10 keep the lights on priorities and another 10 they know they need to be working on.

Each IT pundit, vendor and service provider spins their value proposition story used to support their solution approach, with many providing true value to the organization and good technical solutions supporting the long term. However, given the stressed financial situation today in many large organizations, simply continuing to spend is not a viable answer. Significant improvements in both efficiency and effectiveness within key business functions and in support of the overall business operation are the prescriptive that are ultimately being demanded. So the question becomes, how does an organization get those quick hit results and benefits without a lengthy and costly study or even a complete re-organization of the business?

Here is an approach that meets the above criteria for results, cost and timing and also supports improved alignment of IT with the real needs of the business units. This approach is based on delivering improvements in business services that have clear and present impacts on customer service, revenue generation or support the reduction of costs and cycle times attributed to internal business processes. There are many names for this approach, but one that stands out is “Business Service Management”. This approach appoints representatives to work directly with the business units, to dig in and to identify and define the leverage points that can most affect business results directly.

With this knowledge in hand, the Business Service Managers then works with designates from IT to find, refine and package the services necessary to support the initiatives in a quick low cost way. Although traditional business case preparation, analysis and prioritization processes are utilized to determine what makes sense in what priority the process needs to be Gorilla like in both speed and complexity.

This role and function is becoming more commonplace in many leading organizations today as they move from a traditional command and control leadership structure towards a collaborative team oriented organizational structure. In addition to the direct benefits of helping the business with the key problems, this process opens the dialogue between IT and the Business Units and builds the trusted relationships necessary for ongoing direct communications. This can be a defining point in changing the relationship and provides a starting point for the development of a true Services Catalogue defining the services available to employees of the organization.

An additional benefit to the organization is insight into the high value capabilities of IT services to the business unit as a true business enabler and a problem solver. Insights gained by many ITIL engagements have shown that this approach is an excellent starting point for improving IT value and fixing the real business problems.

Remaining competitive and meeting business objectives in the future will demand a whole new level of Innovation, Operational Excellence and the ability to move quickly to develop and capture new markets. IT’s role during the next few years as we make it through this downturn and prepare to enter the next market upturn will need to be much more aligned to the needs of the business. This will include:

• Providing efficient and effective IT Services

• Delivering high service levels to all customers • Enables business agility and growth

• Incorporation of advanced technologies

• Supports increased business collaboration

Many senior non-IT leaders are looking at alternatives to owning and operating an internal IT organization.  The reason is that they have not and do not see how the existing organization will enable the accomplishment of these goals. In some organizations this may make sense, but for most; IT is the core structural organization that will enable achievement of these goals. One way for IT organizations to advance towards these goals is to implement one of the IT frameworks that incorporate a continuous improvement approach, such as ITIL v3. Unfortunately ITIL and other similar frameworks typically have a long and costly implementation attached to them and although a necesarry long-term approach, a short targeted service may be most helpful to identify opportunities and providing a quick point in the direction.

An alternative approach that our company has developed and successfully implemented for a number of organizations is either the TCO Benchmarking Solution or our TCO Assessment. These quick and cost effective services provides a proven methodology and process to determine what your true cost of computing is today, how your key performance indicators compare to a benchmark index and where your specific opportunities for improvement are. The TCO Benchmarking Solution also includes the development of a business case clearly identifying return on investment opportunities through a comprehensive (ROI) analysis. The TCO Assessment also includes the added benefit of an ITIL Readiness Assessment. The key benefits of these services are: Key Benefits of the TCO Benchmarking Solution Service are: Money – Gain valuable insight into pinpointing areas for cost reduction or doing more with existing budgets. Time – Determine where your human resources can increase their productivity. Risk – Understand your IT risks and exposures, enabling you to develop plans to mitigate them. Planning – Explore various scenarios in order to forecast and quantify the economic impact of new IT planning initiatives. Key Benefits of the TCO Assessment Service are: • Cost effective service avoids cost and disruption by reducing the data collection effort using myKPI data collection portal, eTraining, telephone & email support and templates. • Improves management communications through convenient anywhere & anytime information access using the myKPI web portal. • Identifies areas to reduces/avoids cost by maximizing effectiveness using the opportunity assessment. • Avoids wasting valuable time on symptoms of other problems by using the cost driver trouble-spot indicator scorecard. • Improves effectiveness and success rate with a basis for verifying benefit attainment using a baseline for future comparison. • Increases understanding of the root causal drivers of trouble spots and helps make decisions faster improving effectiveness. • Increases efficiency and effectiveness with better understanding of where costs can be minimized and productivity maximized using the TCO dashboards and scorecards. • Increases the value of IT with better understanding of where IT can be aligned to drive business benefits and mitigate risks using the ITIL readiness assessment. • Improves budgeting effectiveness through better planning and forecasting capability using the TCO 5 year budget forecast.

 Should you be interested in additioanl infomation on these services or any of our other IT Optimization services, please contact me directly at glen.macdonald@micromationinc.com or call me at 678-983-3100 or visit us at: www.micromationinc.com

Pretty soon you and four or five colleagues or friends will be able to run an entire multi-national organization through the virtualization of every major business function.  Already today there are BPO point solutions for all Finance and Administrative functions necessary to operate a business, for all IT services, for Product Distribution, for Manufacturing and even for Business Strategy. 

Imagine keying your credit card number into a web site to establish a virtualized business.  You simply start by filling out some number of pre-established templates to setup an entire product distribution company.  This new Virtual Company (looks like www.virtualcompany.com is available) includes everything you need to do from registering your new virtual company name to creating bank accounts, putting up a web page, getting a financial system in place maybe even accepting and placing virtual orders.  This sounds to good be true, but maybe this is the way of the future, you outsource all your functional capabilities and operate the entity like a remote computer game.  The value comes from the strategy and the behind the scenes connections, relationships and from the pure transactional profit derived from supplying the needs of the buyers.  I guess this is really the essence of what business is evolving towards anyways, the straight full-filment of buyers needs, the 5 P’s. 

Although this idea sounds pretty crazy, I bet this type of service will be available soon.  I would be interested to hear any comments or related other ideas.

After reflecting on the Desktop Virtualization value propositions over the past few weeks, it has become clear that the holdups to rapid wide spread adoption are only partly due to limitations in the technology. This limited adoption has somewhat more do with the lack immediate hard cost savings; it looks like a plus or minus break-even depending on the situation. From my point of view the larger issues and the real issues to rapid adoption are related to:

1. Lack of Corporate PC use-age Policy and enforcement – not making the general PC user population give up non-work related functions associated with PC’s, i.e. customization, streaming video, the list goes on……
2. Slow or no adoption of best practices related to desktop systems management
3. FUD and confusion created by key vendors and no clear strategy by services companies for implementation

My view is that there is a significant ROI business case to be made for moving ahead with Desktop Virtualization technology when combined with a limited implementation of ITSM / ITIL best practices around the desktop and a revised corporate desktop computing use-age policy. In fact, I believe that organizations that are advanced in the implementation of IT best practices can and will lead the adoption of this technology as the standard for desktop computing. These companies will also reap early benefits that exceed initial ROI projections and provide significant additional benefits in the form of reduced risks, user productivity improvements and reduced costs and complexity of IT operations. These companies should also more easily meet compliance regulations such as HIPPA, SOX and upcoming laws and be farther along towards improved IT Governance.

During the presentation, VMWARE noted that the most significant implementation activity to date has been for Use Cases where the user population has little or no expectation of use-age other than running specific applications associated with the job function. The call center appears to be the most often cited poster child for Desktop Virtualization (DV). This makes sense based on the ability to control this simplified computing environment and deploy very few flavors across very few locations to users who see the computer as anything more that an appliance.

I am very interested in consulting opportunities related to this technology where the corporate culture may be more of a barrier that either the technology or the ROI. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

We had a fabulous weekend of relaxation with the serene setting, amazing long distance views and total privacy in this quiet and peaceful setting. This great location has something for every outdoors enthusiast, whether it is hiking, biking, paddling, motorcycling or just chillin, you will love it. One of the best things of all was coming back to a this luxury location and having the wonderful hot tub and outdoor fireplace with views all to ourselves.

The whole weekend was wonderful and gave me a lot of motivation to work on new contract opportunities for ITIL and Desktop Virtualization this week. With several good meetings setup for this week, I am confident I will identify some great new IT projects thereby helping some companies improve their IT operations, reduce costs and improve business performance.

Oh, and I just about forgot to mention that we hiked to four of the best natural waterfalls we have seen in a long time. Check out Deep Creek National Park and also take a hike on the trail at the bridge by Tapoca Lodge (www.tapocolodge.com), just be careful, it is a little daunting along the ravine.