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Information Technology Services
IT Services
"Catalyst has the experience and business process knowledge to help us derive more value from the dollars we spend on technology projects on an enterprise scale"
The Challenge
In order for financial institutions to provide services to their customers, reliance on Information Technology is a given. Enterprise technology systems are difficult and costly to implement. Studies show that a large portion of the overall implementation cost can be attributed to consulting fees. Therefore, it becomes crucial to use consultants who are knowledgeable, skilled and experienced to keep overall costs low. On one hand, organizations want to reduce the engagement of costly consultants, but on the other hand, many organizations do not have the internal knowledge, skills and experience to implement an enterprise wide system successfully without external assistance. Choosing the right consulting group with the knowledge, skills, experience, as well as the transfer of essential knowledge to your organization becomes essential to the overall success of an enterprise systems implementation.
The process for creating more Information Technology value consists of several phases—Assessment, Solution Selection, Planning, Transition, Stabilization, and Optimization. Each phase is comprised of interrelated activities that focus on the processes to be followed, the people involved, the technology used, and the overall culture of the client.
Catalyst Response
Catalyst has a proven methodology for rapidly assessing technology issues and developing solution plans using its internal, external, and third-party subject matter experts.
Benefits
Catalyst’s value comes from our deep understanding of the best practices for IT Management and Operation. This knowledge minimizes management distraction, documents the decision process, reduces time to decision, satisfies due diligence requirements and creates "buy-in" among the stakeholders within your institution. This leads to a more effective utilization of technology resources and provides the institution with IT value that is on-going.
CIO Services
When it comes to information technology needs, most financial institutions spend too much time in reactive mode and not nearly enough time in proactive mode. The problem exists generally in financial institutions without a Chief Information Officer (CIO). Desktops and servers are added to the network on an ad hoc basis. Networks are extended as needed and often without a clear objective.
Firms without a designated CIO suffer from a lack of senior-level, unbiased, technology guidance. Many of these financial institutions rely on their systems vendor. While these suppliers are competent and technically knowledgeable, they lack bank operations expertise and their primary motivation is to sell products.
With Catalyst CIO Services, financial institutions can control technology infrastructure. Critical business functions can work in a reliable, efficient, cost-effective fashion. We start by defining core, mission-critical activities, define what really matters for those activities and create best practices to optimize them. The result is a healthy, client-focused technology platform.
To maximize service levels and reduce the costs of technology in your financial institution, Catalyst can provide a CIO on as needed basis. Catalyst would provide all or some of the following services:
- Coaching business heads in how to leverage technology within their organizations
- Seek out cost-effective software solutions
- Define a customer-centered, technology service organization
- Plan for disaster prevention and recovery
- Protect against network intrusions
- Conducting special project for which there is never enough time
- Managing infrastructure or software implementation programs
- Selecting new technologies and systems
- Providing a sounding board to debate the pro’s and con’s of technology initiatives
- Mentoring existing staff as they are groomed to take on more responsibility
We are able to keep operating costs low and give our clients the ability to draw on proficient talent from Catalyst. We have extensive technology and business knowledge providing you with measurable returns on investment for your technology initiatives. Our vendor independence means objective advice.
ITIL Services
What is ITIL?
The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is the only internationally-accepted best practices framework that defines how to operate and improve an IT organization according to principles of IT Service Management (ITSM). ITIL is documented in a series of non-proprietary books, and consists of ten processes and one "function".
ISO 20000 & ITIL
ITIL is the 'IT Infrastructure LIbrary'. It is essentially a collection of volumes detailing a number of 'disciplines' and processes for IT Service management. It was first published in the nineties by a department of the UK Government, known then as the CCTA, although is quickly became internationally recognized and deployed. ITIL itself does not offer corporate or organizational certification: but rather personal certification. It offers three levels of certificate to suitable trained and tested individuals: Foundation, Practitioner and Manager.
Many organizations are enjoying the benefits of continuous improvement with ITIL best practices. These include cost control, and improved, disciplined, and repeatable high-quality client services, with resulting improvements in client satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, ITIL compatibility is a vital step to comprehensive Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance in your IT organization.
ITIL Services
- ITIL Overview
Our consultants will meet with your executives and staff, and in a concise presentation present an informal overview of the basics of ITIL.
- ITIL Readiness Assessment
Virtually every IT group is using ITIL processes - whether you recognize it or not. Using a proprietary, experiential knowledge base, the well-accepted CMM measurement scale, and a series of research interviews with your process, management and technology leaders and operators, our executive-level consultants will assess and baseline your level of ITIL implementation and readiness. Information will be presented to you in a written report and with a follow-up leadership meeting. This information will be highly useful for identifying next steps - both the low-hanging fruit and the real challenges that exist for you in your ITIL journey.
- ITIL Enterprise Education Planning
Catalyst can work with your organization to identify and recommend who needs to be trained and certified in ITIL in your organization. Because we are not a training company, we can be neutral in our recommendations about training vendors, our certified ITIL experts are in an ideal position to recommend the best course of action for formal ITIL knowledge infusion into your organization.
- ITIL Implementation Planning Service
Inclusive of the ITIL Readiness Assessment, and the ITIL Enterprise Education Planning Service, the comprehensive ITIL Implementation Planning Service includes a set of concrete recommendations and a written, long-range ITIL Implementation Plan custom tailored to your organization.
- Custom ITIL Continuous Process Improvement Services
Working closely with your ITIL process owner, responsible executives, and associated staff, we will provide the experienced leadership and subject matter expertise that you need to define, redefine, implement, and evaluate IT processes that are both in alignment with ITIL best practices and meet the specific needs of your clients and your IT operations.
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