Strategy Solutions.

An IT strategy lays down the foundations on which services will be developed and delivered in order to meet business requirements. It describes the technology to be used, the way in which it will be exploited, and the models which will be used to deliver service to the business. It also often defines the building blocks and infrastructure on which the IT architecture can be developed.

Version8 approach to defining strategy focuses on business needs first, and technology second; this ensures that all strategic elements identified are meaningful to the business and its objectives. The architectures which will then follow will exploit optimal technology solutions and service components to enable the strategy to be delivered.

Version8 consultants have hands-on experience of real-world IT, through technical support to CIO roles, gained through involvement in some of the worlds largest transport and logistics companies and their IT projects. We understand the importance of clearly thought-through business focused strategy and are able to document this in both technical and non technical forms to ensure projects and assignments are clearly understood at all levels. Our approach starts with developing a good understanding of the current state and the business requirements, and linking this with our knowledge of the market and technologies. We will then review the strategic options, and provide a detailed cost / benefit / risk assessment of each option, leading to the best strategic solution for your business..

IT Roadmap.

Once an IT strategy is agreed, it is critical to understand the best way to get from the current state to the desired position. The strategic solution may be a set of medium term goals, which in themselves will not give clear direction for the shorter term business needs or benefits. Version8 will develop an IT roadmap showing the high level deliverables to meet the desired state, showing cost/resource/timescale required, and benefits delivered at each stage. This may start with a series of quick wins or fast deployment initiatives, followed by achievement of the longer term goals.

Technology Review .

An internal IT organisation will often benefit greatly from external advice on the direction being taken by vendors, service providers and peer organisations. Working across many organisations, Version8 is ideally placed to advise on the strategies being deployed in the wider world, and how this information should inform your IT strategy. We will often provide a market and technology review as part of a wider IT strategy, but can also provide this type of review as a standalone service.

Business Case Production.

A well constructed and presented business case demonstrates clear consideration of the challenges and risks of a proposed strategy and is essential in order to quantify the real cost and benefit of any change programme. This is sometimes difficult to articulate, particularly if the benefits are pre-requisites for longer term strategies, or are complex to quantify in financial terms. Version8 combines commercial and technical experience to ensure that the business case is accurate and detailed. Experience has shown us the importance of fully detailing and presenting the benefits a technological change will have to a business but also the changes to process or working practices required to fully deliver those benefits...a prerequisite to gaining business support and backing.