Technology Advisory
Skillnet Technology Advisory acts as architect and supervisor on client's side. We offer services in the areas of IT strategy and enterprise technology for TIMES-related topics, fulfilling both corporate and investor requirements.
The emphasis of Technology Advisory lies, among other areas, in decision-making regarding technology investments, which often affect the entire organization of a TIMES company and, in general, the success of TIMES investments.
Areas of expertise:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
The organizational changes which come along with CRM systems integration and the comprehensiveness of the resulting system have been underestimated. Thus, the introduction of Customer Relationship Management systems has frequently failed in the last few years, in many cases due to a wrong approach. Projects were started as IT projects rather than as organizational projects. The business implications and the change management process were not considered adequately. Detailed process planning is critical for the success of a CRM project. The data processing in the system with various interfaces and the integration with existing systems have to be handled both from the business understanding and technical complexity.
Billing Systems and Subscriber Based Business
Due to the convergence of the services and products offered by telecoms and media publishers, billing systems have become a difficult subject in these companies. Merging circuit switch and packet data services, adding different kinds of usage fees from flat rate to pay per use, and coping with bundled product offerings such as triple play, provider business can, in general, not be handled by old fashioned billing systems. Changing a billing system affects the whole company as, especially for telecoms, the billing system is the heart of the company’s IT infrastructure.
Understanding the business needs and the processes of a subscriber based telecom and media business, Skillnet Technology Advisory supports projects in this environment from a singular enhancement of a company’s product offering up to a complete platform switch. Setting up businesses such as second brand subsidiaries, white label offerings, and international rollouts goes hand in hand with this kind of service.
E-business and E-commerce
E-business is still an increasing market and especially e-commerce will be gaining with a prognosis of about 14% CAGR by 2012 in Western Europe. Over the past decade, e-business infrastructures within traditional companies have merged from an additional stand-alone infrastructure to completely web-based ERP and legacy systems. Also, collaboration has turned from peer to peer EDI to open data exchange, necessary for coping with fast paced business processes for e.g. supply chain management and shared fulfillment processes. Adjusting business processes and organization and making the best out of web-based technologies are supported by Skillnet Technology Advisory, based on many years of successful experience with customers in retail, banking, media, and government.
Management Information Systems
The implementation of Management Information Systems (MIS) is a great challenge for software developers as they often fail to comprehend the purpose of an MIS. On the other hand, users often display a lack of the technical understanding which would be necessary to express their requirements in a comprehensible way to IT personnel. Additionally, software engineers often do not have the possibility of testing a new system with real data, as data from the relevant systems is not available (e. g. table of accounts or asset history sheet). In this regard, only a concept which is comprehensible for both sides permits the assessment of the accuracy of content and the deduction of the technical implementation. Following the implementation, a profound evaluation of the measurable results is critical, as this data provides the basis for a company´s management.
Skillnet is active in:
IT Strategy Development
A strategic approach to decision making on technical topics needs both, a sound understanding of the business bearing the technology demands as well as in-depth knowledge of possible technological solutions serving those needs. Staying with a top-down direction from business to technology ensures that technology projects fulfill requirements in the most appropriate way and focus solely on business needs.
Acting as a “hinge” between business and technology, Skillnet Technology Advisory combines systems integrator and business analyst skills at a high level.
Evaluation of Economic Efficiency
We also develop solutions and economic efficiency calculations for IT investments within a company. In each individual case, Skillnet assesses the specific situation on the application side and the general conditions of the existing IT, submits proposals for a suitable solution, and conducts a technical and commercial evaluation. The decision is subject to a cost efficiency analysis and will be agreed upon with the customer’s steering committee.
Insourcing/Outsourcing
In most instances, the insourcing or outsourcing of services is based on economic factors. In many cases, insourcing or outsourcing decisions are based on universal assumptions with regard to the consequences for the company. Additionally, problems do not arise generally with the IT itself, but with the implementation of new processes following the IT outsourcing. Skillnet places major emphasis on the strategic planning of the new technological world. We support our customers in the selection of suitable products for the potential IT solutions and evaluate the changes which occur for the company as a result of IT insourcing or outsourcing. We carry out profound cost efficiency analyses and develop steps for the technology migration both for insourcing and outsourcing scenarios. We support our customers' decision making as well as the operational changes (e. g. via effective project management).
IT Optimization
In most cases, IT implementation incurs high costs. Thus, the optimal allocation of financial resources and the identification of cost saving potential in existing IT resources can result in absolute economics. Based on our experience, Skillnet can provide best practice expertise enabling a valuable comparison of IT costs. Our far-reaching and up-to-date product and technology knowledge allows for a profound evaluation beyond the limits of the existing IT infrastructure. This includes the implemented technology as well as the operation organization and processes plus possible software development.
IT Merger Planning
The primary aim of a merger or takeover is the realization of synergies, resulting in a unification of the IT systems of both companies. In general, this occurs during major changes in overlapping processes and organizations. In this context, a company decides in favor of one of the existing IT systems or a new technology, whichever is appropriate to support the new processes and strategy of the new company.
Risk Assessment
The implementation of new core technologies bears the considerable risk of a total breakdown. The exact knowledge of the involved risks, already during the implementation phase, is valuable support for this decision and helps to prevent escalation. For reliable risk protection, Skillnet carries out risk assessments and develops fallback strategies.
Technical Due Diligence
Prior to an investment in a technology oriented asset, strategic and financial investors ask for an assessment of the technology, of the products/services, the technology skills and of the development environment as well as for an evaluation of the potential in comparison to competitors regarding market relevance. Technical due diligence assesses the value of a technology in a detailed way and, if necessary, down to the lines of code. Skillnet's technology advisors are gifted to make the detailed technical assessment understandable even for "non-techies" i.e. in a board room. Skillnet carries out technical due diligences on behalf of financial investors, based on market and industry expertise from more than 200 business model assessments.
Technical Reviews
A technical review provides a detailed position on the assessed technology. Compared to technical due diligence, the technical review paints a more general picture of the technology. Upon request, it is possible to focus on several technological aspects (e. g. conducting customer referencing or evaluating test installation).
Audits
The investment in technology companies is often subject to clearing milestones, where the progress (e. g. of the product development) is assessed. Our audits support the identification of the reasons for a plan variance as the basis for actions to be taken, in the first step. We, then, support the successful development of the company’s business by ongoing monitoring, often in combination with active coaching of the company’s management. Skillnet, thus, contributes to the profitable development of an investment.
MC@skillnet.com
MC@skillnet.com
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