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Why outsource information technology and technical support?

Many companies choose to outsource their information technology, because:

  • Cost: The company is not large enough to warrant an employee to provide the company with in-house information technology provision and technical support. Outsourcing information technology costs the company a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house information technology specialist.
  • Skills: Technology requires multiple disciplines to achieve the company's technology objectives. This very often requires more than one person on staff or a high end information technology specialist to perform what is necessary. By outsourcing, the resources to fulfill the information technology objectives can be garnered across several technical staff members and appropriate solution can be planned and implemented.
  • Quicker problem resolution: Problems persist, in many cases, across several companies, for example: updates, installation of software. The resolution to these problems in most cases have been corrected elsewhere, as a result the experience gained elsewhere can be applied quickly.
  • Faster implementation: Outsourced technology providers have clients that span several industries. Each industry tends to have a common set of requirements. A standard framework for the industry can be used for the company as a base and any additional company specific requirements can be added on top. This model allows for a faster creation of the technology plan and ultimately faster implementation.

What does outsourced information technology and technical support include?

 FEATURE  DESCRIPTION  BENEFITS
Technology planning
  • Assessing existing technology and systems.
  • Mapping technology to business goals.
  • Future technology spending.
  • Project plan to achieve technology goals.
  • Create clarity as to how technology functions in the business.
  • Ensure the business is not left behind due to technology.
  • Increase staff retention by having current equipment and software.
Implementation and maintenance of technology plans Implementation of both the hardware, software and documentation aspects of a technology plan.
  • Peace of mind that what was planned is implemented.
  • Greater understanding of the business ultimately increasing level of service being delivered.
Implementation of business systems End to end implementation of business systems including:
  • Business process analysis.
  • Business process documentation.
  • Business process planning and implementation.
  • Researching the best and most cost effective software solution for enhancing and simplifying business processes.
  • Installation, configuration and support of the software.
  • Assurances that the most appropriate software has been used.
  • Peace of mind that every aspect of the software has been considered and that the software is used to its maximum benefit for the business.
Application and technical support Every software application used, irrespective of the vendor, is supported. This also includes all the "How do I...?".
  • Removing the frustrations of trying to resolve a problem.
  • Comfort that there is help should it be needed.
Network management Managing the day to day running of the network including:
  • Security and systems monitoring
  • Servers and workstations
  • Software updates and patches
  • Website(s)
  • Email
  • Peace of mind that all the aspects are being monitored.
  • Freedom to focus on the core business and know that all the important background processes are running.
Disaster recovery management Disaster management is a process that is executed when a disaster strikes a business, for example: server crashes, office building burns down. This aspect includes:
  • Creation of a disaster recovery plan.
  • Automation of the disaster recovery creation process.
  • Monitoring and testing the disaster recovery process.
  • Offsite back up management.
  • Peace of mind that company data is protected.
Asset management Manage technology assets including:
  • Servers and workstations.
  • Software.
  • Organization of software.
  • Secure destruction of obsolete software.
  • Environmentally friendly electronic waste disposal. 
  • Knowing that all company assets are tracked
  • Comfort in knowing which software is legitimate
Technology purchasing
  • Hardware.
  • Software.
  • Independent purchasing - no exclusive contracts signed with vendors.
  • No mark-up and no commissions on purchases.
  • Discounts from vendors where iBusiness Vantage is a reseller.
  • iBusiness Vantage works with customers preferred suppliers.
  • Knowing that purchases are acquired at good value prices.

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Why outsource a Chief Technology Officer?

Many companies choose to outsource their chief information technology office, because:

Cost: The company is not large enough to warrant an employee to provide the company with in-house a chief information technology officer. Outsourcing information technology costs the company a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house chief information technology officer.

Broader scope: Corporate IT services several industries. This broad scope allows for technologies to be used across different industries. In addition aspects and best practices learned from other companies can be applied to the business.

Faster implementation: Corporate IT services several industries. Each industry tends to have a common set of requirements. A standard framework can be used for the company as a base and any additional company specific requirements can be added on top. This model allows for a faster implementation of the technology planning and implementation.

Challenges that a chief technology officer resolves?

PROBLEM RESOLUTION BENEFITS
Information technology department does not understand the business goals and objectives.
  • Translates business objectives into actionable technology plans and processes.
  • Translates the "technospeak" provided by the information technology department into business terms.
  • Creates transparency between senior management and the information technology department.
  • Allows senior management to continue to operate in the core area of strength by focusing on the business.
Information systems not meeting the business' needs or expensive information technology systems with questionable return on investment. Management of the end to end implementation of business systems including:
  • Business process analysis.
  • Business process documentation.
  • Business process planning and implementation.
  • Researching the best and most cost effective software solutions (including open source) for enhancing, simplifying business processes and with a view to the long term needs of the business.
  • Managing the integration, installation, configuration and support of the integration software.
  • Maximize the use of existing software.
Disparate systems making it difficult to obtain the business intelligence to run the business effectively.  Management of the end to end implementation of the integration of business systems:
  • Business requirements.
  • Data analysis.
  • Researching the best and most cost effective methodsoftware solutions (including open source) for enhancing and simplifying business processes.
  • Managing the installation, configuration and support of the software.
  • Assurances that the most appropriate software has been used.
  • Peace of mind that every aspect of the software has been considered and that the software is used to its maximum benefit for the business.
Business may be prone to business interruption, due to technology failure Reviewing and managing the implementation of:
  • Security systems monitoring.
  • Backup.
  • Disaster management and recovery.
  • Peace of mind that the business can continue to operate uninterrupted or within a reasonable time frame.
Lack or no business policies around technology  Reviewing and creating policies in the areas of:
  • Security policies.
  • Acceptable use policies.
  • Consulting/contractor agreements
  • Asset management 
  • Peace of mind that the business' interests are protected from staff and consultants/contractors. 
Consultants holding the business hostage and/or are overcharging for their services.  Ensuring that:
  • Business requirements are clearly defined, thereby avoiding costly overruns and doing additional work to correct issues which ought to have been identified early on.
  • Prices charged for services reflect the actual work that needs to be done to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Deliverables meet requirements as defined and follow best practices.
  • Agreements with consultants have the business’ interest at heart. For example: provision of source code, documentation, etc. 
  • Peace of mind that the use of consultants and contractors are supporting the business. 
Inconsistency in the way technology is implemented  Manage the way technology is implemented by:
  • Creating frameworks to standardize servers and workstations.
  • Creating frameworks around naming conventions.
  • Creating a software library and an auditing process. 
  • Lower failure rates of information technology systems.
  • Lower costs for information technology systems. 
Ineffective information technology department  Help information technology department by:
  • Translating senior management's requirements into "technospeak".
  • Create processes to manage support problems effectively.
  • Create metrics to measure staff's effectiveness. 
  • Effective information technology department.
  • Effective information technology department that streamlines business processes, increases operational efficiency and sets the stage for business optimization, cost savings and growth strategies. 

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Corporate IT, based in West Vancouver, is mainly focused on helping small to medium sized companies with their computer technology. We bring features that were traditionally available only to large enterprises to small to medium size companies in a cost effective manner.


Philosophy:



The best way to describe how iBusiness Vantage Systems, philosophically, approaches implementing technology can be best compared to a subsection of aspects that needs to be looked at when buying a business.

Business process

The foundation of any business, is the business process. It represents, the products and services that customers buy. Every business has some form of process, even though it may not be apparent or may appear to be sporadic. Technology is increasingly playing a larger role in supporting the business process, but not creating it; as the business on its own knows how to generate profits. Examples of where technology can support business processes are:

  • Customer relationship management systems
  • Enterprise resource planning systems
  • Accounting systems
  • Document management systems
  • Collaboration systems

Profit

Profit is what is left over after all the expenses have been paid. Eliminating and streamlining expenses increases profit. In addition additional business processes can be added to generate additional revenue. Technology can play an important role in reducing expenses and and creating additional revenue streams. Examples include:
E-commerce websites
Commoditizing intellectual products and selling them as inventory items

Time

How much time of management and owners of the company is required to generate profit? How many hours a day or per week are required to run the business? Time is a finite commodity. Technology can help streamline and automate time consuming processes to save time. The streamlining of these processes can also generate additional profit, time to market and market share.

Mobility

Where can business be conducted? Can work only be performed at specific locations? Can work be done remotely from anywhere? With the Internet, technology can now break the boundaries of location. Staff can now work remotely, resources can be drawn from all over the world and collaboration of work is easier then ever. The savings in office space and access to data remotely can represent significant cost savings.

Technology

Technology forms the support backbone for business processes. Technology is not a process; however it can make a huge difference in the way businesses run, generate profits and the flexibility to do business.

"Your technology, Your advantage"

 

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2497 Marine Drive

West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1L3
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  604 929-0107