In a recent Blog post, Cut Too Deeply...Some Turn To Service Providers, I submitted that it was wise of organizations to review labor capacity and make moves to reduce costs. I also outlined that based on the nature of service requests received at Remedi, I believed that some organizations cut staff too deeply, some knowingly, and others unknowingly.
Unless real economic and long term growth is in the cards for organizations, I believe that it will be tough to get resources back in a full-time capacity. In the meantime, I believe that IT service providers will play a role in capacity solutions and skill gaps. Some of the clients we have assisted this year had capacity issues as a result of deep cutbacks, and some had never used consultants before.
Considering that some organizations have never used a consultant, we developed a checklist as a resource for others in a similar situation.
When, Why, and How to Utilize an EDI / EAI Integration Consultant is posted in 3 separate but related pieces.
Utilizing An Integration Consultant – The When- To fill a temporary gap in personnel
One of the most obvious reasons to hire a consultant is to fill a temporary departmental gap in IT personnel. Vacations, leaves of absence, disability and illness can all create temporary voids in personnel. An increase in management obligations will also create voids when expanding staff, training new associates, and in times of rapid growth / turnover. Associates “borrowed” for special projects can also create a temporary void. - To address a temporary system or technological need
Another reason to hire a consultant is to address a temporary integration system or technological need. This may arise due to lack of familiarity with a given software tool, frequency of performing certain maintenance / upgrade tasks, greater demands due to new system installation, or infrequently required technical and tuning needs. Integrating with new business partners / systems, creating data mapping for new applications, deciding to purchase new integration software, changes in communications strategy (Internet / VAN), integration system upgrades, or changes to interfacing applications, may all result in temporary needs for integration and/or technical expertise. Other less obvious needs include training, education, business partner surveys / certification, development of integration system architecture design, integration strategy, best practice reviews, and system health checks. - To provide a long-term need
Using integration services on a longer-term basis implies a need for an extended project, a strategic sourcing / supplementation strategy, managed services, or outsourcing arrangement. These relationships often result in the formation of a tight partnership between company and consulting organization. Examples of long-term scenarios include: outsourcing of mapping and integration development, outsourcing of everyday EDI / EAI operations, large development projects such as an SAP implementation and related integration, or the outsourcing of all integration testing and implementation.
Continue the series, link to:
