Often companies have procedures in place within their business process which are not very efficient, but are not replaced or refined as 'that is the way they have always been'! Sometimes companies cannot see these inefficient areas within their business as they are too close to the problem to see it, or know about the problem but are too busy to do anything about it.

One of DefiningIT's core services is Business Process Reengineering. In order for us to recommend changes to a business, it is essential that time is spent understanding the existing processes and ways of working within an organisation. Once this is understood areas are often highlighted which can be improved. Once these areas have been identified, DefiningIT can then propose ways in which IT can be used to improve these business areas.

Dependant upon business size and the recommendation suggested, some 'quick-win' solutions can be implemented immediately, other more complex or costly solutions which have significant impact of the existing processes and procedures may need further investigation.

In these situations full ROI models can be produced which identify the potential savings to the business, as well as the initial capital investment required, ongoing investment (if applicable) and the likely return on that investment.

The below list summarises the steps taken by DefiningIT throughout this:

• Free initial consultation
• Understanding of existing business processes
• Documentation of existing processes
• Clarification from client that the existing processes are correctly documented
• Identification of areas which can be improved through the use of IT
• Discussion with the client about these and early suggestions for improvement
• Proposal created to include budgeted costing and ROI if applicable
• Presentation to client
• Client sign off
• Full system specification and implementation plan creation
• Implementation

Typically we find that improvements to business processes can be made by one or a combination of the following:

• Linking applications together
  • Allow applications to transfer data backwards and forwards to each other.
  • Provide a true end to end business IT system
  • Removing the need to manually transfer or re-enter information from one system to another, saving time and money.
  • Typically undertaken with a middleware application

• Improving Communication
  • Allow information to be transferred more easy between people and/or systems
  • Improved connectivity for remote workers

• Improved Visibility
  • Creation of central areas for information to be displayed
  • Improved reporting systems