As the company grows, its necessary for the IT infrastructure to keep pace with it. Abandoned Heroes
Was a detailed research project carried out with colleagues from Brunel, RHUL and Brunel business schools into how small companies actually used IT. We discovered some interesting findings
- That compliance with regulation was a major driver of IT in growing companies
- That traditional industries like Food and Logistics have a better track record at backing up their data than IT or media companies
- That individuals manage systems well beyond what they are officially trained for
- That there is very little in the way of IT support available for them since the official channels only recognise users and IT professionals with nothing in between.
The full report can be purchased for £15+Vat from the publications section on the left
IT projects
e-Tranee was a comprehensive project which looks at how IT usage fits within a companies actual business needs. Companies don't buy IT equipment in a vacuum. They have a specific reason which is being driven by a business pressure. These may be problems of growth, of consolidation or of communication. The common ones are shown around the network diagram. We've shown the IT system as a network - because you're connected to the outside world. You have to communicate with customers, with subcontractors and with the consignments and vehicles as they travel. Often this can be done by tracking number and website - but sometimes you need to communicate with the vehicles as they move on.
The chart lets companies
- mark up existing equipment -make a note of how many of each type of PC, operating systems, what software they run. Look at storage, backup, firewall and antivirus provision and connectivity onto the internet
- Identify what the key pressures are
- Establish why connectivity is needed
- Attracting / retaining people with scarce skills
Avoid a move to new larger premises
Reduce costs - office overheads and transport costs
Make services available 24/7
Handle workload peaks and troughs more easily
Keep up to date with what's going on
- Attracting / retaining people with scarce skills
As part of this project we created an IT planning document.
You can download it here
or you can purchase the full e-tranee workbook for £15+VAT from the section on the left menu.