IT Solutions and Services Brochure

1. IT Solutions & Services

2. Quick Reference
About IT Solutions & Services 3 IT Director Service 13
Managing Consultants 4 Procurement & Delivery Services 14
IT Health Check 5 IT Situation Report 16
Strategic Services 6 IT Solution Procurement 17
IT Governance & Strategy Review 8 IT Service Procurement 18
IT Strategy Development 9 IT Solution Delivery 20
IT Policy Development & Audit 10 Supplier Management 21
IT Service Support Review 11 Funding IT Solutions and Services projects 22
IT Service Availability and Continuity Review 12 Accelerate savings and efficiencies 23
2 Expense Reduction Analysts Quick Reference

3. About Expense
Reduction Analysts
IT Solutions & Services
Expense Reduction Analysts IT Solutions and Services
(ITSS) provides strategic IT services to Expense
Reduction Analysts’ clients and delivers effective
strategies and policies for the use of Information
Technology within their businesses.
ITSS helps its clients evaluate the organisation (e.g. OJEU). ITSS uses its skills,
effectiveness, associated risks and value market knowledge and leverage to negotiate
for money of current IT solutions and the best possible contract on the client’s
services and identifies opportunities for behalf.
improvement. We help clients eliminate
waste, manage IT related business risk, Once a new IT solution or service is procured
operate to best practice and build and ITSS can provide the expertise for client side
evaluate business cases for change. project management of delivery, working with
the supplier and client staff to ensure projects
Once a decision is made to procure a new are properly planned, managed and controlled
IT solution or service ITSS can manage that through to implementation. Finally ITSS can
procurement for the client, working with their help monitor and manage the delivery of the
team to ensure requirements are agreed and expected business benefits of the solution or
specified. Expense Reduction Analysts then service.
uses its extensive knowledge of the IT
Solutions and Services market to identify ITSS is managed by Michael Hully and Chris
capable suppliers and include them in the Brown. Michael has previously directed
procurement process. IT for an Irish PLC and been a Managing
Director within an international IT Solutions
We run the procurement process in line with and Services group, whilst Chris has directed
best practice and in line with any existing IT for both a leading e-gaming company and
procurement guidelines within the client a national public transport company.
About IT Solutions & Services Expense Reduction Analysts 3

4. Managing
Consultants
Michael Hully Chris Brown
Michael Hully Chris Brown
A highly qualified business professional An entrepreneurial business professional with
with 25 years analysing, developing, 30 years experience of delivering cutting edge
procuring and delivering IT business IT solutions in the travel and gaming industries.
solutions. Director level experience in both With director level experience of analysing
a leading IT Solutions and Services vendor problems and delivering solutions in both online
and a manufacturing Plc. and offline environments in the UK and Europe.
Qualifications and Areas of Experience Qualifications and Areas of Experience
• BSc in Computer Science and MBA qualified • BA in Business and Transport
• 25 years in the field of selling, building and • 30 years of building and delivering IT solutions
delivering IT solutions and related business and managing the related business change
change processes • 10 years directing IT and Telesales for a major
• 5 years directing Processes & IT for an Irish PLC division of a UK PLC
• 10 years at Board level in an international IT • 6 years at Board level in an international
Solutions and services group online and offline gaming group
• 10 years in Project Management, Quality • 3 years delivering profound business change
Management, Systems Analysis and for a legacy gambling business; moving the
Software Development for one of the largest product portfolio online and fundamentally
IT Solutions and Services companies in the UK. redefining the future IT strategy
Expertise
Experience in a wide range of sectors including Manufacturing, Retailing, Wholesale & Distribution,
Transport, Betting and Gaming, Financial Services, Local Government and Professional services in
both online and offline environments.
Services offered
• IT service availability and continuity • IT Strategy development
planning review • IT policy and governance consultancy
• Online marketing and strategy audit • IT solution procurement & negotiation
• IT service support review • IT services outsourcing consultancy
• IT departmental structure and process audit • Project Management & Troubleshooting
4 Expense Reduction Analysts Managing Consultants

5. IT Health Check
Effective use of Information Technology is a critical
success factor for almost every business. A business
that is not leveraging IT in a way that best supports its
current operation and future strategy will fail to excel
or may even fail to survive.
An initial health check from Expense Process
Reduction Analysts will give you an easy Interviews with a selection of key directors and
to understand assessment on how well managers in the business and inspection of
your organisation is currently directing current working documents and procedures.
IT investment, delivering IT solutions,
infrastructure and services to the business. Deliverable
An overview report comparing current practice
Benefits with best practice and recommendations as
Know at a summary level how your appropriate for organisational development.
organisation’s approach to IT compares
against best practice in the following areas:
• Strategic management
• Policies
• Structure and skills
• IT operational and financial management
• Service delivery processes
• Service support processes
IT Health Check Expense Reduction Analysts 5

6. Strategic Services
ITSS helps client organisations align their IT decision
making to business strategy and business priorities. It
helps them manage IT related business risk and achieve
best value from their available IT budget.
Without effective IT governance that A lack of strategic planning may place the
fully involves key business leaders, the business at risk of failure in the event of a
benefits offered through the use of IT major IT problem.
will not be realised.
Without a clear understanding of the
Ineffective or non existent policies increase return generated by current IT investment
risk to the business from the mismanagement any strategic planning decisions may
or misuse of IT. be suboptimal.
6 Expense Reduction Analysts Strategic Services

7. Services Offered IT Governance & Policy
Governance and Strategy Review IT Strategy
Implement effective forums, steering
processes and policies for managing IT
strategically IT Service Support
Strategy Development IT Solutions
& Tools
Align IT to business strategy, declare
agreed priorities and direction for IT
IT
Infrastructures
Policy Development & Audit
Develop policies on IT usage and
management and audit compliance
Service Support Review
Ensure best value from the mix of internal
and external support services
Service Availability & continuity review
Know the real risk to your business as a
result of IT failure
IT Director service
Have Director level IT steering on an
ongoing basis as needed
Strategic Services Expense Reduction Analysts 7

8. IT Governance
& Strategy Review
An organisation that does not have a clear direction for
IT that firmly aligns investment priorities to business
strategy will fail to maximise the opportunity that IT
offers and waste valuable resources.
Without a clear process for gaining Benefits
agreement and commitment within the • Identify how the current process of IT
organisation it is likely that technology strategic management and governance is
centred business change initiatives will viewed by the different stakeholder groups
fail to deliver. in the organisation
• Know how well current IT strategy is aligned
An IT Strategy review considers existing to business strategy
processes and structures within the Expense • Know if director stewardship responsibilities
Reduction Analysts client company for are being fulfilled for IS&T
compiling, agreeing and steering all aspects of • Identify potential gaps in areas as such as
Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) business continuity, information security
Strategy. It also reviews current policies and and data protection.
governance against good practice and the
stewardship responsibilities of directors. Process
Through interviews with senior management
and staff and a review of existing business
strategy, IT strategy and IT policy documentation
against best practice, the IT strategy review
compiles a picture of the current situation
identifying gaps and making recommendations
for improvement.
Deliverable
A detailed IT strategy review report covering IT
strategy, IT steering, IT policies and governance,
IT management control and reporting.
8 Expense Reduction Analysts IT Governance & Strategy Review

9. IT Strategy Development
Without a detailed, published IT strategy an organisation
will often fail to consistently focus efforts and resource
on the right IT initiatives and will end up with a mix
of systems and technologies that fail to fully support
the business.
An IT strategy review works with senior Process
management, Information Systems and Through interviews with senior management
Technology (IS&T) staff and other relevant and staff and a review of existing business
stakeholders to develop, agree and strategy, IT strategy and IT policy
publish an IT strategy that aligns with the documentation against best practice, the IT
current needs and future direction of strategy review compiles a picture of the
the organisation. current situation, identifies gaps and makes
recommendations for improvement.
Benefits
• Align IT strategy and focus to business Deliverable
strategy An IT strategy document that comprises
• Set the direction and framework for future the following key elements:
IS&T decision making • Business strategy extracts
• Agreement on the direction and priorities • Systems delivery and technical strategies
of IS&T • 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 Strategy Development Expense Reduction Analysts 9

10. IT Policy Development
& Audit
Without a set of best practice based IT policies that
clearly set out the principles and way in which people in
the organisation are to procure, manage and use IT what
happens in practice will be at best inconsistent and at
worst severely damaging to the business.
An IT policy development project works Process
with senior management, Information Through interviews with senior management
Systems and Technology (IS&T) staff and and staff a set of IT policies are compiled,
other relevant stakeholders to develop, agreed and published for the organisation.
agree and publish a set of IT policies for Policies are developed with reference to the
the organisation. Expense Reduction BS7799/ISO17799 standard for IT Security
Analysts then provides an audit service policies. Audit records are defined and, if
to periodically check and report on required, Expense Reduction Analysts
compliance. provides a periodic audit service that checks
and reports on compliance.
Benefits
• Direction provided to all staff on what is Deliverable
acceptable use of IT An IT policy document that details the
• Clarity on responsibilities and accountabilities organisation’s stance on all the main areas
for IT management and IT usage of IT usage and management (e.g. securing
• Compliance with best practice on IT Security hardware, controlling access to information,
Management and Data protection internet usage). Defined audit records and
• Protect the organisation in the event of HR processes.
disputes about misuse of IT
• A guidance framework from which detailed Periodic audit reports documenting policy
IT procedures can be developed compliance and recommending any policy
changes or corrective actions.
10 Expense Reduction Analysts IT Policy Development & Audit

11. IT Service Support Review
IT delivery and support is often a mysterious black box
to many directors. Without an insight into whether the
structure and mix of internal IT staff and external IT
partners is optimal and whether IT services are being
managed in line with best practice, it is impossible to assess
if improvements could be made or better value obtained.
An IT Service support review evaluates performance measures against the
current IT service delivery and support organisational needs of the company and
activities within Expense Reduction Analysts industry best practice in IT service delivery
client companies against current industry and support.
best practice.
Deliverable
Benefits A detailed IT service support review report that
• Independent assessment on the size and benchmarks performance against best practice
structure of an internal IT department and recommends a development roadmap and
• Evaluation of current internal IT function key performance indicators for IT service delivery
processes & tools against industry best practice and support for the organisation.
• Independent assessment of key performance
indicators in place and related performance
• Evaluation of current management processes
for external supply partners
• Identification of potential areas for better
value through internal or external change
Process
An IT service support review engages with
the company’s IT team, business users and
external IT service partners to assess the
structures, resource levels, processes and
IT Service Support Review Expense Reduction Analysts 11

12. IT Service Availability and
Continuity Review
Without a clear understanding of the business risks
inherent within the current IT architecture and the
adequacy of plans to address those risks or recover
should the risk becomes reality directors are potentially
failing in their obligation to provide sound stewardship
of the business.
An IT service availability and continuity Process
planning review helps Expense An IT business availability and continuity
Reduction Analysts clients uncover how planning review engages business
resilient their business is to potential stakeholders, IT team members, existing
failures in IT services and if the capability and potential IT service partners to:
to recover is in line with business need. • Identify risks to IT services and their
business impact
Benefits • Assess the likelihood of occurrence and
• Clearly identify where the risks are to the risk priorities
business operations from service failure • Identify and cost proactive measures to
• Identify opportunities for risk mitigation, reduce the likelihood of IT failure
risk avoidance or risk transference • Assess plans for maintaining business
• Know if current IS&T plans for continued operation in the event of IT failure
business continuity are adequate
• Reduce business insurance through Deliverable
demonstrable risk management A detailed service availability and
continuity report detailing current risks and
identifying opportunities for counteracting
these risks as well as an evaluation
of the adequacy of current IT resilience
and business continuity plans.
12 Expense Reduction Analysts IT Service Availability and Continuity Review

13. IT Director Service
Once the IT strategy for a business is defined and
programmes of work are in place to deliver the strategy
that is not the end game. Business changes, business
strategy changes and IT strategy must reflect these
changes. Also, the pace of change in Information
Technology is rapid. It is essential that IT is represented
at the top table in the organisation to make sure that
the IT strategy remains current and effective.
Expense Reduction Analysts can offer Benefits
IT Director level expertise to help guide • Director level expertise on an as required basis
a client’s business. This can be provided • Expertise used to bridging the gap between IT
on a basis that suits the client. For and the business
example, attendance at scheduled board • Keep business strategy aligned with IT
meetings or senior management strategy on an ongoing basis
meetings, a programmed annual or
bi-annual review of status or a number Process
of days per annum to call off as required. An 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
Deliverable
IT director level expertise made available to
provide strategic level input on an agreed basis.
IT Director Service Expense Reduction Analysts 13

14. Procurement
& Delivery Services
ITSS helps organisations procure IT solutions that meet
business needs at the best possible price. It helps them
effectively manage implementation, realise business
benefits and manage ongoing supplier partnerships.
Without agreeing, documenting and Services Offered
defining the business IT need poor
buying will result. Situation report
A detailed view of how the business
Without market knowledge and selecting benefits from the current IT spend
the right partner the best solution or
service will not be chosen Solution procurement
Buy solutions that work for your
Without having professional project business and achieve best value
management on the client side chosen
solutions may be implemented poorly. Service procurement
Partner with IT service vendors that
Without close ongoing management of supply the required service levels at
supply partners high levels of service and the best price
good value for money will not continue.
Solution delivery
Client side project delivery and benefits
realisation professionally managed
Supplier management
Ongoing professional management
of external supply partners
14 Expense Reduction Analysts Procurement & Delivery Services

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Procurement & Delivery Services Expense Reduction Analysts 15

16. IT Situation Report
Without a clear and detailed picture of current IT spend,
the level of IT service being delivered and the IT related
risks that currently exist, directors will fail to optimise IT
expenditure and take action to ensure that best in class
IT services are delivered.
An IT situation report reviews the current • Identifies potential cost reduction
utilisation of IT within an organisation. It opportunities through downgrading capacity,
identifies what services are being provided availability or through supplier negotiation
and to which users, their criticality to the or market testing
business, their enabling components and
related costs. It identifies where service Process
levels are potentially under specified leading The Expense Reduction Analysts consultant
to unacceptable business risk or over engages with IT, finance, key business users
specified giving opportunities for cost saving. and external suppliers and analyses current
service level agreements, supplier contracts
Benefits and historical expenditure to build a picture
• Clarifies how IT expenditure is invested to of the current business need and usage of IT.
deliver and support IT software applications,
and tools to business user groups Deliverable
• Clarifies which expenditure is strategic, An IT situation report detailing current IT
essential or discretionary services, enabling components and services
• Confirms the current IT components in use and their costs. The report maps current
and which IT services they enable IT service levels to current business
• An evaluation of end user experience of requirements, identifies potential mismatches
internal and external IT support service levels and makes recommendations on cost
• Identifies potential need to increase reduction opportunities and/or further
investment in capacity, availability, continuity investment.
(recovery from failure) or support services
to reduce business risk
16 Expense Reduction Analysts IT Situation Report

17. IT Solution Procurement
Procuring a new IT solution must be done right first
time. It may be hard to gain agreement on what is
needed, navigate through the myriad of available
options to find potential solutions and then gain the
best value possible.
ITSS helps client companies establish Process
and manage effective project teams Where appropriate using PRINCE 2 (PRojects
to specify new IT solution requirements, in a Controlled Environment) standards our
engage with potential suppliers, certified practitioner consultant:
objectively evaluate their product and • Discusses and agrees the scope and nature
service offerings and negotiate sound of the solution or service
supply and service contracts. • Produces and agrees project initiation
documentation with the client
Benefits • Work with key stakeholders to document
• Select the IT solution that best meets the and agree a request for proposal
your needs from an initially broad and often • Identifies potential solution providers
confusing array of options • Manage the procurement process
• Secure commitment and support from the • Compile and agrees the procurement
key personnel in your organisation through scorecard
involving them in a structured procurement • Co-ordinates marking of bids and produces
project a recommendation report
• Achieve transparency through clear score • Complete final negotiations and contracts
carding and evaluation of options. with successful suppliers
• Comply with best procurement practice such
as that demanded by public procurement Deliverable
through the Official Journal of the European A contracted new IT solution that meets the
Union (OJEU) agreed needs of the business.
• Achieve the best possible value: deliver the
essential service level while minimising cost
as a result of professional IS&T negotiation
IT Solution Procurement Expense Reduction Analysts 17

18. IT Service Procurement
Procuring services from external IT vendors is a
business critical activity. Whether it be systems analysis,
development, testing, support or hosting services it is
essential not only that the best price is obtained but
also that the suppliers have the necessary skills,
resources, processes and customer service culture
needed to supply the quality of service required.
18 Expense Reduction Analysts IT Service Procurement

19. ITSS helps client companies find the right Process
IT service partners at the best possible An Expense Reduction Analysts consultant:
price and puts in place the necessary key • Agrees and documents the service need
performance indicators and reporting • Identifies a long list of potential solution
mechanisms ensuring that service contracts providers
meet agreed standards. • Manages the procurement process
• Co-ordinates marking of bids and produces
Benefits a recommendation report
• Specify the right level of IT service for your • Completes final negotiations and contracts
business with successful suppliers
• Engage with the suppliers that can deliver the • Puts in place the necessary key performance
right service at the best value indicators and contract management
• Negotiate the best possible terms processes
• Put in place the right ongoing contract • Manages contract compliance throughout
management processes the engagement period
Deliverable
A contracted new IT Service that meets the
agreed needs of the business.
IT Service Procurement Expense Reduction Analysts 19

20. IT Solution Delivery
When an IT solution is contracted it is essential that both
project and benefits delivery is professionally managed.
While it is expected that a supplier will provide good
project management, an essential component of success
is client side project management that monitors supplier
delivery, manages contractual variations, marshals client
side resources and keeps project sponsors informed.
ITSS provides project management • Professional management of benefits
expertise to help client companies realisation post implement
professionally manage their resources
during the delivery of an IT solution. Process
Post implementation Expense Reduction An Expense Reduction Analysts Consultant;
Analysts helps drive out the expected • Sets and agrees the project management
benefits of an IT Solution by liaising with processes and governance
stakeholders, defining and monitoring • Works with the Supplier Project Manager
performance indicators and escalating as and client stake holders to formulate and
necessary to the project sponsor. deliver on implementation plans that work
for the business
Benefits • Produces regular progress reports and
• Professional planning and management of escalates issues
client side project resource • Identifies and manages resolution of change
• Monitoring of overall supplier performance and risk management issues
against contract • Identifies KPIs for benefits realisation and
• Client interests fully represented on issues of works with stake holders to ensure expected
change management and contract variation benefits are delivered
• Visibility to senior client management of
ongoing progress and timely escalation of Deliverable
risk and issues A well managed IT solution delivery project
and a visible benefits realisation programme.
20 Expense Reduction Analysts IT Solution Delivery

21. Supplier Management
When an IT service contract is in place there will be a need
to ensure that the service being delivered is effective,
as contracted and continues to meet the business need.
ITSS provides the necessary expertise Process
to liaise with both client side service An Expense Reduction Analysts consultant;
users and the supplier to ensure that the • Agrees appropriate processes and
service operation meets the business need. deliverables for each IT supplier
• Periodically reviews KPIs with both key
Benefits client stake holders and the supplier
• Proper definition and management of key • Chairs supplier review meetings and agrees
performance indicators actions
• Service issues and risks professionally managed • Produces regular supplier performance
• Ongoing visibility of service performance reports for senior management
to senior client management • Acts as an escalation point for supplier
• Continued validation that the service meets contractual issues
current business need
Deliverable
A well managed IT supplier base with strong
effective partnerships.
Supplier Management Expense Reduction Analysts 21

22. Funding IT Solutions
and Services projects
ITSS enables organisations to immediately identify and
push forward IT enabled business improvements whilst
keeping within existing revenue budgets.
Through innovative commercial • Existing clients can draw on future savings
agreements it enables them to share the streams from their supply side Expense
investment risk of IT initiatives and be Reduction Analysts Profit Improvement
confident that consultancy effort is 100% Programme to immediately fund ITSS services
focused on maximising bottom line returns.
In the example below the client takes advantage
• Initial exploratory engagements can often be of our shared savings opportunity and with
provided at reduced rates no up front investment a cost reduction
programme on supplied goods and services
• Partial benefit share or 100% pay by results generates savings. These savings are then partly
arrangements are often possible used by ITSS to help the client identify and
procure IT solutions and services to drive further
operational efficiencies and savings.
Keep within revenue budget
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9 Q11 Q13 Q15
Budget expenses Actual expenses with Actual expenses with ITSS
Expense Reduction Analysts
22 Expense Reduction Analysts Funding IT Solutions and Services projects

23. Accelerate savings
and efficiencies
Existing Expense Reduction Analysts clients can move
forward now to improve their business.
Expense Reduction Analysts clients already In the example below the Expense Reduction
enjoying operational savings from Profit Analysts client reinvested savings to identify
Improvement Programmes have the and then implement IT solutions that resulted
opportunity through IT Solutions in accelerated savings over the medium and
and Services to immediately leverage long term.
those savings to drive further operational
savings, increased revenues or service
improvements.
Accelerate savings through IT solutions and services investment
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
-200,000
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16
Cumulative supply savings with Cumulative supply Cumulative total Expense
Expense Reduction Analysts savings with ITSS Reduction Analysts savings
Accelerate savings and efficiencies Expense Reduction Analysts 23

24. find extra profit
For more information
UK: 0845 519 9021
Ireland: 048 90 292759
Email: itss@erauk.net
Expense Reduction
Analysts
www.expense-reduction.co.uk