Strategic Analysis and Selection of Information Systems, Essay Example

IT Management Consultants play a vital role in helping large business organizations in the procurement of Information Technology and related services. They bring a level of external expertise that is often lacking in the organization. This being in subject matter expert areas that help the organization find the most optimum solution for the business.  Certain large corporate firms like IBM and HP have become global service solutions providers offering customised solutions around open architecture and their own hardware and communications systems. Similarly Enterprise Solutions like Oracle, J.D.Edwards and SAP offer large scale systems integration advice for the placement of international business information systems.

In general terms Consultants only use “rule of thumb” assessments in order to gain a broad brush evaluation of requirements based upon their experience. The correct method will always follow the development of a Functional Specification of Requirements (FRS). “Functional specifications (functional specs), in the end, are the blueprint for how you want a particular web project or application to look and work. It details what the finished product will do, how a user will interact with it, and what it will look like.” (Smith).  IBM developed from a basic “tin shifter” (hardware supplier) to meeting the demands of their customers to provide integrated business solutions services. “An IT strategy that considers technology a mere support tool for delivery of business processes is no longer sustainable.” (IBM(US)). In addition, HP has approached a similar stance but forming strategic alliances with leading enterprise software solutions vendors. In particular HP has aligned with the global software enterprise solutions software giant SAP.. “Implementing a CRM system is not easy. That’s why HP and SAP jointly offer services that speed implementation and ensure success. HP provides the right level of service for each phase of your CRM project. These services accelerate your return on investment.” (HP Consulting services).

Another widely adopted approach is that of Total Quality Management (TQM) understanding the business process requirements and the key information deliverables “Faced with the challenge of selecting a new information system, senior management at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish, Montana, decided to employ principles of total quality management and continuous quality improvement to help ensure an efficient process that involved and empowered those who would use the new system.” (Patrick McConnell).

Works Cited

HP Consulting services. HP Consulting services. 2010. 9 10 2010 <http://h20338.www2.hp.com/enterprise/cache/14063-0-0-225-121.html>.

IBM(US). IT strategy and architecture services. 2010 IBM. 9 10 2010 <http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/itservice/igs/a1025997?cm_re=masthead-_-itservices-_-strategy>.

Patrick McConnell, Vincent G. Ciotti. Applying TQM/CQI principles to information system selection – total quality management; continuous quality improvement. 6 1995. 9 10 2010 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3257/is_n6_v49/ai_17092218/>.

Smith, Allen. What Is A Functional Specification? . 2010. 9 10 2010 <http://www.mojofat.com/tutorial/>.