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Outsourcing It - Is It The Best Option For Your Organization?
By San
Is there really a need to outsource your organization's IT workings? Won't it be better if the organization can have a direct internal control over the IT operations, instead of relying on a 3rd party to help you decide what is best for your company?
Well, the decision to outsource often just falls back on the few crucial considerations, as stated below:
(1) Do you have the internal resources to run existing mission-critical systems efficiently?
(2) Are you prepared to consider high degrees of organizational and cultural change, in the face of managing your IT operations?
(3) Do you consistently need to create new business and technical interfaces for your day-to-day operations? If yes, is it really more cost-efficient to deploy internal staff to execute these tasks?
(4) Based on needs and budget, to what extent will the organization's IT functions be outsourced?
Simply divesting your company of a function that cannot be effectively managed internally is not a sufficient reason to outsource. Before the final decision to outsource is made, the CIO (Chief Information Officer) and his IT team have to identify and pinpoint internal failings. Through identifying the failings, they can address them to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the selection, transition, and of an outsourcing relationship.
The initial decision to outsource and the final selection of a suitable IT services company form integral parts of an organization's sourcing life cycle. The decision to outsource all / parts of the organization's
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Little Or No-Cost Management Practices Increase Hay ProfitsTo implement the use of new technologies into farm operations requires growers to make conscious management decisions. Many management decisions require little or no out-of pocket expense, yet making good management decisions requires an investment of time to learn new production technology and how to use it effectively. This paper explains several management decisions and approaches that can be used on your farm, that when used properly, will have a positive impact on hay profits.The Challenge In Total Telecom Cost ManagementTelecommunications and related network services are a large and growing expense for mid-market enterprises. Telecom costs are difficult to track because they include tangible assets (lines and circuits) with decentralized inventory spread over multiple locations and intangible services. Move Add Change, Disconnect (MACD) service order activity creates a moving target that enterprises must reconcile with their billing. Billing is complex with elements that can be time-sensitive (peak vs. off peak), and volume sensitive. In addition, telecom providers have different billing platforms for their varied offerings. Each platform requires a degree of customization to read and interpret the billing data.Towards a Conceptual Framework For Strategic Cost ManagementAccounting information plays a vital role in determining the most appropriate strategic direction for the organization. It guides managerial actions, motivates behaviors, and supports and creates the cultural values necessary to achieve an organization's strategic objectives. In particular, cost management information (both financial and non-financial information) is a critical type of information to the success of the company. Cost management systems are important, but equally important is knowing how and when to apply them to achieve long-term success. Cost management systems help managers understand cost structure and behavior. The main objective of this paper is to suggest a comprehensive conceptual framework for strategic cost management.Industry Consolidation And Price-Cost MarginsThe U.S. pulp and paper industry has experienced an increasing degree of consolidation through a series of mergers and acquisitions. Based upon a structure conduct-performance model and using panel data for the pulp, paper, and paperboard sectors from 1970 to 1997, this paper investigates the effect of industry structure on price-cost margins. Unlike previous studies, which rely on an interpolated concentration measure calculated from output values, this study uses a measure of concentration based upon annual productive capacity, which significantly reduces measurement errors and endogeneity concerns. Results from the analysis indicate that one percent increase in market concentration increases price-cost margins by 0.5 to 0.6 percentage points. The effect, however, fluctuates with business cycle and displays a pro-cyclical pattern.A Computational Model For Inventory Management And PlanningThe objective of the study presented in this paper is to determine the factors of the optimal level of merchandizing inventory. This study is based on a mathematical model. The results revealed some interesting findings. The most important conclusion is that the 'Usage of Material' or the Sales Volume is not the real determinate of the inventory volume. It is concluded in the model that the volume of inventories depends on the difference between the return on investment in the inventories and the rate of interest on short-term deposits. The traditional methods in cost accounting - Buffer Stock and Economic Order Quantity - have been reconciled with the profit maximization hypothesis.FPGA ArchitectureAltera FPGA architecture is unmatched in the industry and is at least one generation ahead of the competition in terms of logic architecture and two generations ahead in terms of routing architecture. The Adaptive Logic Module (ALM) ability to divide the combinational logic portion and the availability of eight inputs allow it to implement, in addition to a full 6-input look-up table (LUT), a variety of smaller functions. The Stratix series of families with a 3-sided routing architecture and wires that can connect to any Logic Array Blocks (LAB) along their length provides the most connectivity in terms of the amount of logic that can be reached in least number of hops. This paper describes the leading-edge architectural innovations in Altera FPGAs and their advantages.Intrusion Prevention Case Study: Mainova AG - EnergyThis case study examines Frankfurt, Germany energy supplier Mainova AG's reliance on McAfee for its network security.Measuring the Performance of the Information Technology FunctionMany executives look at IT as a commodity, so it's important that IT teams differentiate themselves through cost-cutting measures and improved value to the organization.<BR><BR>APQC has developed 87 standard measures that organizations can use to benchmark their IT performance. These measures include every major process IT departments perform including:<ul><li>comparative budgets,</li><li>costs,</li><li>cycle times,</li><li>FTE distributions, and</li><li>productivity measures within each process.</li></ul>Organizations can use these measures to benchmark performance and identify improvement opportunities.Medical Inflation in Brazil and Successful Cost Containment StrategiesHealth care costs have been increasing at a faster rate than general inflation in many Latin American countries, including Brazil. Of the nearly 170 million Brazilian citizens, 32 million are covered by private health plans, which contributes to increased costs for Brazilian employers. Of these 32 million, nearly 70 percent are covered under employer-sponsored group plans. Companies taking a firm approach in managing health care costs have reduced the impact of medical inflation. Some of the tools successfully implemented in Brazil include new plan designs, new eligibility standards, elimination of (the liability of) retiree medical, and health promotion.Workers' Compensation: Creating Opportunities From TrendsDespite the challenges in the executive risk arena associated with property and casualty market dynamics, compliance with corporate governance initiatives, etc., concerns and frustrations over workers' compensation remains a forefront issue for many organizations. Workers' compensation and related costs typically represent a significant component of a corporation's total cost of risk and, when inadequately managed, these costs rapidly escalate to a level that impairs acceptable financial performance.Innovating the Workers Compensation MarketplaceGiven unabated increases in health care costs, the workers compensation industry finds itself increasingly challenged to develop and execute innovative cost management strategies for medical networks and other forms of health care. For many employers, workers compensation costs typically represent a significant portion of an organization's total cost of risk. When inadequately managed, these costs rapidly escalate, impairing financial performance. This paper explores a sampling of cost reduction strategies and summarizes a strategic framework for optimizing financial performance for workers compensation organizations and employers committed to confronting these emerging health care challenges.A Strategy for Cost Management and Long-Term Business ValueSiemens Business Services, Inc. (SBS) has developed this white paper to describe the approach for delivering managed services solutions and expertise. Goal with the SieQuence solutions is to help clients meet the most pressing needs affecting their IT environment, including cost containment, reliability, user satisfaction, and the flexibility to address evolving business requirements. As one of the world's premier providers of IT services, SBS has extensive experience helping the clients use information technology to address challenges and boost profitability. One SieQuence solutions are built on a proven approach to drive out costs, improve process efficiencies, and help one to achieve greater value from their IT investments in a time-efficient manner.Long-Term Liabilities, Financial Assurance and Potential OpportunitiesMany mining districts have long histories of operating mines. When looking at these operations it is often difficult to conceive of the mining activities ever ending and the community having to rely on a different economic base. This situation can be found all over the world and is not applicable to only developing or developed countries. This paper presents the issues associated with mine closure liabilities and financial assurance, and also explores some of the potential opportunities explored and implemented by mining companies to reduce long-term liabilities. An underlying assumption in all these matters is that the mining activity is economically viable and that there is a stable governance and regulatory regime.How to Cut Costs Without Cutting Off Future Growth: Lessons From the Restructurings of the Early 1990sMany firms are struggling in the economic downturn to maintain profitability in the face of declining demand for their products. Some have resorted to workforce reductions to cut costs and preserve corporate profits. While that may work in the short run, the long-term result is often a demoralized surviving workforce, declining productivity and lower shareholder returns. The paper talks about "Successful" restructurers, that firm whose restructuring meet their goals and has a positive impact on the firm, significantly outperform their industry peers in the long run. It also focuses on how some companies manage to escape the common pitfalls of restructuring and achieve long-term growth.Corporate Governance Development in UK and Continental EuropeThe potential onset of 'Corporate Governance Fatigue' is a risk for all publicly-quoted companies, which needs to be resisted strongly. The commitment of corporate Boards to fairness, transparency and accountability has an appreciable effect on whether the greatest practicable enhancement is achieved over the period of their shareholders investment. The corporate governance is important because without investor confidence markets will not thrive. This is the case whether instances of poor governance have arisen from corporate failure, the bad running of companies, unjustified remuneration or, simply, lack of transparency and disclosure.
IT functions is one of the most difficult decisions that a CIO and his team has to make. The simple reason being this decision will bring about significant business risks in the form of transferring day-to-day responsibilities of running mission-critical systems to a 3rd party. In addition, there may be considerable operational impact on staff that comes in the form of adjustments in working styles. The objectives of outsourcing generally comprise of the following: - Cost control / savings - Concentration on core activities - Access to new skills and technologies - Overcoming internal organizational inertia to effect change Objectives have to be clearly identified by the CIO and he will also have to take on the responsibility to communicate these objectives to all respective stakeholders from the outset of the process. A outsourcing relationship that starts without clearly-defined objectives frequently fail, or may require significant remedial efforts to reset expectations and amend the services agenda. This will have the negative effects of wasting resources and affecting the bottom-line of an organization. Thus it is crucial that internal needs / failings are fully assessed and evaluated before the final decision is made. Lastly, upon outlining the objectives, the CIO and his team will have to define, communicate and agree on the areas that will be outsourced. Areas of consideration will include deliverables, measurement and acceptance criteria. CIOs are often encouraged to view outsourcing as part of an entire process that ranges from sourcing strategy formulation to monitoring, measuring, evaluating, and re-sourcing where and if appropriate. But like any partnerships, outsourcing can sometimes have the reverse effect of bringing about traumatic experiences, which can prove to be costly to the organization. So before you engage a 3rd party IT services firm, seriously consider all the impending factors as outsourcing is a long-term engagement and should not be taken lightly as a temporary relief of internal failings for the organization. Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com Article contributed by Phil Lam who is a VoIP consultant at Lantone Communications. Led by a team of experienced IT developers, Lantone Communications is one of the leadingVoIP Provider in Singapore. Please visit their official website for the latest information on VoIP. This article may be reprinted in its original form as long as the resource box is left intact and the links live and the article is not to be modified in any way.
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Little Or No-Cost Management Practices Increase Hay Profits
To implement the use of new technologies into farm operations requires growers to make conscious management decisions. Many management decisions require little or no out-of pocket expense, yet making good management decisions requires an investment of time to learn new production technology and how to use it effectively. This paper explains several management decisions and approaches that can be used on your farm, that when used properly, will have a positive impact on hay profits.
The Challenge In Total Telecom Cost Management
Telecommunications and related network services are a large and growing expense for mid-market enterprises. Telecom costs are difficult to track because they include tangible assets (lines and circuits) with decentralized inventory spread over multiple locations and intangible services. Move Add Change, Disconnect (MACD) service order activity creates a moving target that enterprises must reconcile with their billing. Billing is complex with elements that can be time-sensitive (peak vs. off peak), and volume sensitive. In addition, telecom providers have different billing platforms for their varied offerings. Each platform requires a degree of customization to read and interpret the billing data.
Towards a Conceptual Framework For Strategic Cost Management
Accounting information plays a vital role in determining the most appropriate strategic direction for the organization. It guides managerial actions, motivates behaviors, and supports and creates the cultural values necessary to achieve an organization's strategic objectives. In particular, cost management information (both financial and non-financial information) is a critical type of information to the success of the company. Cost management systems are important, but equally important is knowing how and when to apply them to achieve long-term success. Cost management systems help managers understand cost structure and behavior. The main objective of this paper is to suggest a comprehensive conceptual framework for strategic cost management.
Industry Consolidation And Price-Cost Margins
The U.S. pulp and paper industry has experienced an increasing degree of consolidation through a series of mergers and acquisitions. Based upon a structure conduct-performance model and using panel data for the pulp, paper, and paperboard sectors from 1970 to 1997, this paper investigates the effect of industry structure on price-cost margins. Unlike previous studies, which rely on an interpolated concentration measure calculated from output values, this study uses a measure of concentration based upon annual productive capacity, which significantly reduces measurement errors and endogeneity concerns. Results from the analysis indicate that one percent increase in market concentration increases price-cost margins by 0.5 to 0.6 percentage points. The effect, however, fluctuates with business cycle and displays a pro-cyclical pattern.
A Computational Model For Inventory Management And Planning
The objective of the study presented in this paper is to determine the factors of the optimal level of merchandizing inventory. This study is based on a mathematical model. The results revealed some interesting findings. The most important conclusion is that the 'Usage of Material' or the Sales Volume is not the real determinate of the inventory volume. It is concluded in the model that the volume of inventories depends on the difference between the return on investment in the inventories and the rate of interest on short-term deposits. The traditional methods in cost accounting - Buffer Stock and Economic Order Quantity - have been reconciled with the profit maximization hypothesis.
FPGA Architecture
Altera FPGA architecture is unmatched in the industry and is at least one generation ahead of the competition in terms of logic architecture and two generations ahead in terms of routing architecture. The Adaptive Logic Module (ALM) ability to divide the combinational logic portion and the availability of eight inputs allow it to implement, in addition to a full 6-input look-up table (LUT), a variety of smaller functions. The Stratix series of families with a 3-sided routing architecture and wires that can connect to any Logic Array Blocks (LAB) along their length provides the most connectivity in terms of the amount of logic that can be reached in least number of hops. This paper describes the leading-edge architectural innovations in Altera FPGAs and their advantages.
Intrusion Prevention Case Study: Mainova AG - Energy
This case study examines Frankfurt, Germany energy supplier Mainova AG's reliance on McAfee for its network security.
Measuring the Performance of the Information Technology Function
Many executives look at IT as a commodity, so it's important that IT teams differentiate themselves through cost-cutting measures and improved value to the organization.<BR><BR>APQC has developed 87 standard measures that organizations can use to benchmark their IT performance. These measures include every major process IT departments perform including:<ul><li>comparative budgets,</li><li>costs,</li><li>cycle times,</li><li>FTE distributions, and</li><li>productivity measures within each process.</li></ul>Organizations can use these measures to benchmark performance and identify improvement opportunities.
Medical Inflation in Brazil and Successful Cost Containment Strategies
Health care costs have been increasing at a faster rate than general inflation in many Latin American countries, including Brazil. Of the nearly 170 million Brazilian citizens, 32 million are covered by private health plans, which contributes to increased costs for Brazilian employers. Of these 32 million, nearly 70 percent are covered under employer-sponsored group plans. Companies taking a firm approach in managing health care costs have reduced the impact of medical inflation. Some of the tools successfully implemented in Brazil include new plan designs, new eligibility standards, elimination of (the liability of) retiree medical, and health promotion.
Workers' Compensation: Creating Opportunities From Trends
Despite the challenges in the executive risk arena associated with property and casualty market dynamics, compliance with corporate governance initiatives, etc., concerns and frustrations over workers' compensation remains a forefront issue for many organizations. Workers' compensation and related costs typically represent a significant component of a corporation's total cost of risk and, when inadequately managed, these costs rapidly escalate to a level that impairs acceptable financial performance.
Innovating the Workers Compensation Marketplace
Given unabated increases in health care costs, the workers compensation industry finds itself increasingly challenged to develop and execute innovative cost management strategies for medical networks and other forms of health care. For many employers, workers compensation costs typically represent a significant portion of an organization's total cost of risk. When inadequately managed, these costs rapidly escalate, impairing financial performance. This paper explores a sampling of cost reduction strategies and summarizes a strategic framework for optimizing financial performance for workers compensation organizations and employers committed to confronting these emerging health care challenges.
A Strategy for Cost Management and Long-Term Business Value
Siemens Business Services, Inc. (SBS) has developed this white paper to describe the approach for delivering managed services solutions and expertise. Goal with the SieQuence solutions is to help clients meet the most pressing needs affecting their IT environment, including cost containment, reliability, user satisfaction, and the flexibility to address evolving business requirements. As one of the world's premier providers of IT services, SBS has extensive experience helping the clients use information technology to address challenges and boost profitability. One SieQuence solutions are built on a proven approach to drive out costs, improve process efficiencies, and help one to achieve greater value from their IT investments in a time-efficient manner.
Long-Term Liabilities, Financial Assurance and Potential Opportunities
Many mining districts have long histories of operating mines. When looking at these operations it is often difficult to conceive of the mining activities ever ending and the community having to rely on a different economic base. This situation can be found all over the world and is not applicable to only developing or developed countries. This paper presents the issues associated with mine closure liabilities and financial assurance, and also explores some of the potential opportunities explored and implemented by mining companies to reduce long-term liabilities. An underlying assumption in all these matters is that the mining activity is economically viable and that there is a stable governance and regulatory regime.
How to Cut Costs Without Cutting Off Future Growth: Lessons From the Restructurings of the Early 1990s
Many firms are struggling in the economic downturn to maintain profitability in the face of declining demand for their products. Some have resorted to workforce reductions to cut costs and preserve corporate profits. While that may work in the short run, the long-term result is often a demoralized surviving workforce, declining productivity and lower shareholder returns. The paper talks about "Successful" restructurers, that firm whose restructuring meet their goals and has a positive impact on the firm, significantly outperform their industry peers in the long run. It also focuses on how some companies manage to escape the common pitfalls of restructuring and achieve long-term growth.
Corporate Governance Development in UK and Continental Europe
The potential onset of 'Corporate Governance Fatigue' is a risk for all publicly-quoted companies, which needs to be resisted strongly. The commitment of corporate Boards to fairness, transparency and accountability has an appreciable effect on whether the greatest practicable enhancement is achieved over the period of their shareholders investment. The corporate governance is important because without investor confidence markets will not thrive. This is the case whether instances of poor governance have arisen from corporate failure, the bad running of companies, unjustified remuneration or, simply, lack of transparency and disclosure.
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