Essential Information & Communications
Unimpeded Intelligence
Build and manage reliable and secure communication networks, information systems, and decision-support solutions.
Whether it's reporting deadlines or ensuring communications, as part of business continuity, high-stakes objectives call for unimpeded access to information and analysis. It's required to ensure compliance, protect intellectual property and to manage your business with confidence. Today's business leaders should expect fast, reliable and secure information systems and networks that are easily managed and resilient to shifting demands.
Today's Challenges:
Bulletproof and reliable networks. Your business requires reliable information networks to guarantee that the right information is put into the right hands. [More +]
What is the challenge: Core financial, management and IT operations require reliable information networks to support routine operations and ensure business continuity in the event of a disruption. Building voice, data and video networks onto a secure and easily managed network can be challenging. Some of the challenges include cost effectively integrating legacy systems, incorporating a wide range of security protocols and standards, and navigating the maze of technology options. Solutions must also consider the longer term needs for easy upgrade and modernization without massive investments.
Related Services:
• Business Continuity Planning
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Advanced and Converged Networks
• Infrastructure Design and Installation
Boost efficiency with sustainable IT practices. Today more than ever IT is poised to be the function that truly is able to do more with less. [More +]
What is the challenge: Your investment in IT is a big expense. Data storage, processing and application management must be managed in the most cost effective manner possible. Virtualization, energy conservation and other sustainable IT practices should be considered. Initiatives aimed at reducing IT costs should consider the goals of improving quality of service, speed of delivery, innovation and overall reliability. Those responsible for making IT investments must include the views of others with responsibility for security, compliance, capital planning and investment, logistics, design and other areas. Failure to include the right people in the planning process can result in missed opportunities to reduce costs and leverage technology in new and innovative ways.
Related Services:
• IT Audit and Technology Risk
• Business Process Management
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Virtualization and Green IT
Spend limited budget wisely. Competing demands. Shifting priorities. Technology executives must make smart decisions with limited budgets. [More +]
What is the challenge: What should you prioritize, where should you invest and what should you expect? These are questions that every CFO and CIO should be able to answer quickly and with ample data to back it up. What are the keys to success? Collaboration between IT, finance, sales, product development and other stakeholders, combined with good capital planning is essential. Then the hard part begins.
Delivering enterprise IT initiatives on time and budget is not easy. The complexity of existing systems, inadequate data and departmental silos can cripple a project and drive up costs. Ample time must be spent to properly evaluate technical requirements and the availability of affordable off-the-shelf versus costly proprietary solutions. But technology is rarely the culprit for failed projects.
Too often delays and cost run overruns are the result of underestimating the complexity of people issues as well as failure to align IT projects with dependent changes in processes and other systems. Poor data quality and inadequate project oversight are also major contributors to inefficient and misaligned IT spending. Proven frameworks and methodologies for technology evaluation, planning, project oversight, governance, risk and compliance can help make the most of budgeted dollars.
Related Services:
• Enterprise Performance Management
• Enterprise Program Management
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Virtualization and Green IT
Tap the potential of IP. Advances in affordability and security make everything-over IP a reality. [More +]
What is the challenge: Everything over IP (EoIP) describes the true convergence of voice, video and data across the enterprise, not only traditional network services, but all services on an IP backbone. The use of IP protocol can improve quality of service, enable collaboration, simplify management and ultimately lower the cost of delivery. Although pressure to maintain legacy technology and network investments has delayed wholesale adoption of IP-based solutions, conversion is now a real opportunity. However, there are a number of security risks associated with using IP networks. Application, wireless and network, and client security must all be considered in the design of an all IP enterprise framework. Fortunately, it is now easier to implement and manage multi-layer security and controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information across the enterprise. To address security issues, proper design, implementation and proven standards-based protocols should be rigorously followed.
Related Services:
• IT Audit and Technology Risk
• Advanced and Converged Networks
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Infrastructure Design and Installation
• Virtualization and Green IT
Be prepared for the worst. Is your network ready? The ability to remain up and running in the event of an emergency is important for some and a necessity for others. [More +]
What is the challenge: Business continuity planning (BCP) is essential, especially when business objectives require protection of, and connection between your workforce, customers, data, government and other critical assets. A successful BCP program requires a clear understanding of the business impact from disruptions. A commitment by management and other stakeholders to work in collaboration to identify and prioritize risks to the business is critical. Navigating the maze of technology solutions to support disaster recovery and other continuity risks can also be a challenge. A BCP plan based on a clear alignment with the most critical processes, systems, communications, compliance, management and leadership is important and will help to minimize unnecessary efforts and investment.
Related Services:
• IT Audit and Technology Risk
• Business Continuity Planning
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Mobile and Transportable Communications
Workforce collaboration. Online and offline collaboration is now a fundamental part of doing business better, and your employees expect nothing less. [More +]
What is the challenge: Businesses now have access to affordable solutions that allow employees to easily access disparate information sources and collaborate regardless of physical location. The benefits of better collaboration include improvements in customer service and delivery, lower cost of operations, faster innovation, a satisfied workforce and operational resiliency in the event of a business disruption.
Thorough planning is required. Companies must think beyond technology when it comes to enabling unified, efficient and secure communications and collaboration. Attention must be paid to the processes, policies and standards that facilitate good collaboration. Management also needs to determine the most critical activities that will benefit from greater collaboration in order to prioritize and budget adequately. Information security and controls must also be in place to prevent unauthorized access and sharing of sensitive information. Building a collaborative environment across the enterprise and among partners and other stakeholders also requires a business culture that values and rewards employees for the right behaviors.
Related Services:
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Data Management/Business Intelligence
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Infrastructure Design and Installation
