BUSINESS ALIGNMENT
We first take the time, before discussing solutions or products, to understand your organization’s mission and business, and its underlying processes and environment. Based on this understanding, we find the technology architecture, platform, solutions and products to fit your budget and realize your goals. We firmly believe that optimal solutions are only found with input from this perspective.
SOLUTIONS EVALUATION
One of the most interesting and common experiences I have when working with small businesses is the complete leap from need to determined product/ solution. Once a ‘tech’ said to ‘get this XX,’ the decision-making had stopped. For those that know better, this is where all the action is. Looking at the myriad of variables with both a business and technical foci is vital. Implementation has its own set of issues, but finding the right solution is the real art and science of the job. The wrong solutions, once introduced into the organization, bring many preventable problems to the surface later.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Technical project management is crucial and requires both a solid understanding of the details of the project (usually technical) and project management capability—an elusive combination. Managing a vendor relationship on implementation issues, or guiding your own team if brought in-house, is one area that has an easy ROI justification. Unbiased jargon-free communication between management and technical resources keeps surprises and overruns to a minimum.
COMPLIANCE
Like finance, IT is becoming more and more regulated. There are laws across jurisdictions that apply to how your information is handled and the penalties can be serious. One Congress member reading about data theft from an executive’s misplaced laptop can set into motion a confusing bill that requires the organization to respond. Being aware of compliance issues, proactively planning, and being prepared to respond appropriately, can be a big cost-saver if a triggering event takes place.