Application Management: Using A Hosted Application Management Model To Improve System Performance

For the purpose of this article, application management refers to managing any or all of the applications deployed throughout an organization

. Examples include Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and related software, e-mail, collaboration, reporting and business intelligence applications.

Whether small or large, companies in all types of industries rely on business applications. These applications allow companies to manage the entire spectrum of their operations, including end markets, distribution channels, customer relations, investor relations and more.

Maximizing performance and availability of these systems is a constant challenge for IT departments. In-house expertise in certain applications may be difficult to find or costly to hire and keep. Your staff may be strained with day-to-day tasks that take them away from a more strategic and proactive focus.

Using a hosted application management model for application management makes good business sense for a variety of reasons; once you select the most qualified vendor. At a minimum, youll benefit from the following:

Leveraged technical skills and expertise you dont have in-house. Youll be able to rely on your application management provider for the latest information on application and technology changes. In addition to having a readily available technical expert, youll be positioned to adapt quickly to new technology and market opportunities.

Predicable costs on a month-to-month basis. You will have access to expert resources at a lower cost than internal staffing, you should be able to lower the costs of various expenditures associated with application management, including initial investment, deployment, maintenance and upgrades. This will contribute to sustaining a lean operation. You will likely reduce your total cost of ownership with an outsourcing model.

Better focus on strategic projects as you turn the day-to-day application management tasks over to your outsourcing provider. Your internal IT team can maximize its contribution to company goals.

Reduced system downtime. In fact, a reputable application management provider will offer you guaranteed levels of uptime through a written service level agreement.

Key Characteristics for Your Application Management Vendor

To deliver maximum value to your application environment, youll want to carefully analyze the capabilities of potential application managment vendors. Examples of important evaluation criteria include the following:

How is the cultural fit between your two companies? You want your application management outsourcer to be an extension of your IT department. Therefore, the provider must work well with your team. The two companies must have consistent cultures and values for the best partnership to develop.

Does the potential outsourcer customize its solutions to your requirements? You dont want a one-size-fits-all solution. Your company most likely has nuances to its operations that should be addressed in an application management solution. Tailored solutions will provide the highest levels of system performance and availability regardless of the application type.

Is the potential outsourcing provider an expert in your specific applications? You want a proven track record managing the same applications you use and for companies like yours. You want a partner with experience supporting top tier ERP applications as well.

What is the outsourcers application management process? In addition to configuring applications to each customers requirements, you want a provider that works closely with other team members supporting your IT infrastructure. For example, coordination among application administrators with database and operating system administrators provides the best proactive approach to optimizing system performance.

Todays companies look for more than technical advice. They seek an outsourcer who can partner with them and contribute to achieving overall business goals. Businesses want solutions addressed to their specific requirements which includes providing the best application management services with guaranteed performance and availability levels.

by: Chuck Vermillion

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