By Lee Solt
The most basic idea behind Holistic Managed Services is that the technology a company utilizes is assessed from a business standpoint and brought into the fold of productivity – whether it is focused to generate real, bottom-line net income or to cut costs and effectively reduce operating expenses. In a nutshell it stops unnecessary spending on technology.
At a time when businesses and their departments are being forced to scale back more and more on resources; technology must be seen as a viable income producer at every level – not just a break-and-fix expense or the piecemeal “sale and service” of individual software, hardware, and training.
This is accomplished through overall business and financial analysis, product and process development, and effective stakeholder engagement. In general, this permits technology to be moved from overhead to become a more vibrant part of business functions and provide a better client / product / end-user experience.
A constant goal of Holistic Managed Services is to minimize TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) – by researching and recommending technology to reduce energy costs in the data center, or suggesting the integration of accounting systems with inventory systems, or other similar infrastructure changes. Under a Holistic Managed Service program, this type of additional technological advice is part of the program – and it is offered at no additional cost .
In short, the recession may be causing some serious issues across the board, but it has created a great opportunity for companies to step up and make the transition to Holistic Managed Services programs. Here are the 3 phases used in the implementation of a Holistic Managed Services program.
Phase 1. – Assessment
First, complete an assessment of the existing infrastructure. During this process, it’s a good idea to stop buying devices, software, and training – and stop engaging new partners and signing new contracts. Once the assessment has been completed, these purchases and decisions will be backed with solid return analysis.
Phase 2 – Remediation
After Phase 1 – Assessment is complete, Phase 2 can begin – Remediation. During this phase, businesses invest in bringing their infrastructure to a more reliable operational state. Many times it involves updating aged equipment in order to operate more effectively.
Phase 3 – Implementation
In this phase companies focus on their business, as the managed service provider takes over the responsibility for successful day-to-day operations of the technology. It is also in this phase that corporate strategic initiatives take shape, and spending is focused with laser-like clarity on the business’ objectives.
Holistic Managed Services is the wave of the future and should be looked at as a viable business solution in a rough economy. Simple changes can reduce your business’s IT expenses (overhead) by up to 50%, increase your customer service and client retention by 100%, and increase your company’s bottom line, even in this rough economy.
Lee Solt, Managing Partner
Advanced Vision Technology Group http://www.advancedvisiontech.com
cell: 646-228-2006
Advanced Vision Technology Group is a dynamic Information Technology Managed Services firm. We provide a unique and innovative Holistic Managed Services to our growing client base that extends beyond the realm of traditional technology companies. We are innovators, technologists, business designers and project managers working with clients to produce success. Our management team, engineers and client services personnel are certified and supported by some of the world’s largest IT manufacturers.
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Managed Services a serious subject and the decision should not be made lightly. Managed Services from Kaseya provides management of network-based services and applictaions and more. They make everything so much simpilar. Kaseya has published a Blog Post about Managed Services.
Managed Services is dear to my heart. I started developing a per machine recurring revenue process in 2003 after purchasing an RMM solution for our IT Services organization.
Although I agree with your Assessment, Remediation, Implementation approach, I continue to see successful Service Providers who don’t focus on the technical card, but rather play more of the sales and friendly IT role.
These companies are out to build a managed services business and not a technical monster. Now, don’t get me wrong, the technical side is critical, but packaging your offering, giving people options, keeping your price sheet to 1-page, and being a marketer (using technology – I wrote about it here: http://blog.kaseya.com/?p=619) will get our more business then an exhaustive energy saving analysis.
Where I think your strategy fits best is when a managed services firm looks at their existing customer base and does what you are saying. This increase the value proposition and trust factor that so many IT companies are unable to achieve.