- Support for creating IT strategy
- Comparison of IT costs and IT budgets
- Support for preparation of public contracts in the area of ICT
- Negotiating with suppliers
- Professional development of CIO and IT managers
Support for creating IT strategy
IT strategy is a fundamental, key document for functioning and decision-making in the field of IT. It is intended on the one hand for managerial workers on a user level (board of directors, administrative council, decision-making bodies of a ministry or authority) and on the other hand for IT senior management (CIO, IT manager). The purpose of IT strategy is to determine and agree on all key areas important for the correct functioning of IT in such a way that they support all the functions necessary for achieving the company’s or authority's success. IT strategy must be focused on supporting the goals of the organization and not on detailed technical issues (which are the province of other documents).
Based on its experience in the implementation of IT strategy in the Czech Republic and abroad, Gartner has put together a methodology and sample documents for the preparation of a complete set of strategic documents.
Comparison of IT costs and IT budgets
Comparison with the environment and with the competition is one of the managerial methods that serves to increase effectiveness. A comparison of IT costs (benchmarking) serves analogously to increase the effectiveness of internal IT.
Benchmarking is carried out by companies seeking answers to any of the following questions:
- How much do my competitors spend on IT, in what areas, with how many people and at what level of service?
- How much would we have to spend on providing services comparable to those of our competitors?
- Do we have a competitive cost advantage in IT?
- Where do we start if we want to cut costs?
- Can we cut costs by outsourcing part or all of our IT?
- How should we communicate IT results within the organization?
We carry out several types of benchmarks:
- Quantitative
- Cost benchmarks – branch, infrastructural
- Market/pricing benchmarks
- Contract benchmarks – pricing
- Qualitative
- IT Score
- Contract benchmarks – contractual conditions
Support for preparation of public contracts in the area of ICT
Gartner research and advisory company is an independent and respected authority in the field of ICT. Using Gartner's resources and experience, we are capable of estimating the volume and market value of a contract, setting objective criteria for the selection of applicants and formulating the requirements for executing a particular solution. We have unique insights into the local market.
Negotiating with suppliers
Contracts and bids in ICT are becoming ever more complex. Suppliers are ever more frequently launching new pricing and licensing models, payment options for maintenance and new contract terms, such as auditing clauses, for example. Monitoring these developments requires full dedication to the issue and keeping a close eye on the market, on new offers and the experience of users. Each year, Gartner’s analysts revise thousands of contracts for hardware, software and IT and telecommunications services. In the case of 75% of the contracts that we revise, we find opportunities for savings, in many cases amounting to millions.
Gartner’s contract revision service provides answers to the following questions:
Gartner’s contract revision service provides answers to the following questions:
- Is the price you pay fair and competitive? Does it contain hidden costs?
- Is there room for improving trade conditions? Does the contract include any risky clauses?
- What is the best way to negotiate the best possible conditions? What negotiation strategy will bring real savings?
The service comprises three components:
- Price verification - identification of pointless charges and verification of whether the client is paying only for what he needs.
- Verification of trade conditions - discovery of hidden costs, unanticipated charges, usage restrictions and increased risk.
- Negotiation strategy - selection of the best procedure for achieving real savings.