Aussie IT depts under systems management pressure - News - Business

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Aussie IT depts under systems management pressure

By Vivienne Fisher, ZDNet Australia
April 29, 2002
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Aussie-IT-depts-under-systems-management-pressure/0,139023166,120264891,00.htm

IT pros in Australian businesses are facing growing pressure when searching for ways to manage systems and devices within their organisations.

A paper from Ernst & Young warns IT managers about the risks associated with implementing Enterprise Systems Management (ESM) solutions.

Faith Page, a partner with the technology and security risk services division at Ernst & Young, said there are examples of companies which either had not completed ESM implementations, or which had not gained the expected benefits.

Page advises IT managers to take a hard look at the business benefits when planning ESM implementations.

"In the worst case scenario budget and timeframe blowouts, combined with unwieldly solutions, mean [that an] ESM implementation doesn't even get off the ground," she said.

According to Page, significant costs included customising the project to meet a company's business objectives and IT environment. She estimates the cost ratio at about 70 percent implementation costs versus 30 percent for software purchase.

Ernst & Young's paper cites the biggest risks with ESM being incomplete or inaccurate project scoping and organisational requirements not being fully understood.

Page suggested financial analysis and implementation planning of ESM to minimise risks. This includes looking at current and future needs; project research; adequate budgeting; implementation strategies; strict project management; as well as maintaining project momentum and focus.