Pitfalls
The common trend in IT services is to outsource, but there are many
pitfalls involved with outsourcing. Notably:
- Most IT outsourcers will only enter into a contract if they are
allowed to move the servers to their own data center. Many
reasons are given for this, but the end result is it makes it more
difficult to move away from that outsourcer.
- Once an outsourcer takes ownership of a system, they tend to
resist change, and that involves much more time and effort than they
are willing to invest in the contract. The end result is your systems
become outdated and outmoded, with them paying the electricity bill.
- Off-shore outsourcing has hidden costs in slower development
cycles because of the language barrier, and typically these developers
spend three or more times as long to complete a project as a local
developer who is in the same building and has a tight communications
loop with the users.
InSourcing
Protos has defined a system for inhouse outsourcing, where
System Administrators and Developers are placed on-site, backed
by a system of
managing the capabilities of each reasource. The
values of this system:
- Deeper Knowledge-Network:
- Our Administrators
can pull off the greater Protos-wide network of knowledge, rather than
having a single individual on-staff and limited to their own
expertise.
- Enterprise Discipline: Developers and Administrators with
Enterprise Experience and Discipline are better trained and capable.
This discipline includes:
- Knowledge and ability to implement and use process methodologies
(such as the CMMI).
- Issue Tracking systems
- Change Management Processes
- Help Desk Functionality
- Capable Monitoring Infrastructure:
- Each Administrator can hook into a centralized monitoring system,
or deploy a localized one locally. System Availability Monitoring and
a defined incident handling process provide for more immediate resolution
and less downtime.
- Monitoring System performance and health, with historical trends
and archives, provides for a better knowledge of how utilized systems
are, allowing for future purchases and upgrades to properly reflect
business needs.
- Data Security: Defined policies for Data Management and
adherence to these policies, including:
- Backup Procedures
- Security Policies for more stable systems and networks
- Capability Management:
-
Regular client-driven reviews of staff, to provide the highest quality
value.
- Ongoing training of staff, to hone capabilities and maintain a
current level of knowledge for new technology.
- Emphasis on real-world experience and certifications where
appropriate, not certifications for the sake of having book knowledge.
All of these elements combine to create a value to our clients which
results in:
- Less Unplanned System Downtime
- Controlled Infrastructure Costs
- Greater value per "Man Hour" for Administrator and Developer
Resources
