EQUILIBRIUM’S IT CONSULTING METHODOLOGY
Architecturally, the pyramid is widely considered the most stable of all structures. As proof, just look at the ancient Egyptian pyramids that are nearly 5,000 years old and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Executives seeking to strategically grow their modern business do so today by properly planning to build their business information systems on a solid and lasting foundation.
Equilibrium’s team of consultants, architects, technical project managers, systems engineers and service specialists provide end-to-end integrated business solutions. Our service spans the lifecycle of an IT solution from assessing, architecting, project planning, to project implementation, documentation and ongoing support.
Equilibrium applies its unique methodology to all of our IT solutions engineering projects. Our process ensures the success of every project by balancing consulting and execution. Performing the proper amount of consulting due diligence up-front, makes certain that the execution of the project implementation goes successfully and the systems operate smoothly.
Additionally, clients of Equilibrium enjoy having their business and technology needs align with their budgetary and time requirements. The following illustration outlines Equilibrium’s IT Consulting Methodology:
Assess
The solutions engineering process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the technical health of your computing environment. We implement software utilities to baseline systems performance, understand security issues, and collect hardware/software inventory information. We analyze the output of the assessment and summarize important metrics that are used to design the architecture of the IT solution.
Architect
We begin the architecture stage by defining a joint team consisting of client staff and Equilibrium staff. During the initial design session we work closely together to co-develop a technology solution based on a solid understanding of unique business requirements. We accomplish this by interviewing our clients and asking them to prioritize the following solution criteria: Reliability, Recoverability, Cost, Performance, Ease of Use, Flexibility, Security, Manageability, Scalability and Time to Implement. Armed with this information, Equilibrium’s Senior Architects & Consultants perform the necessary research and due diligence to appropriately weigh these criteria in the final solution.
Project Plan
Once an architectural design is established, a high level Microsoft Project Plan is created as part of the formal design report. This initial version of the project plan provides a general understanding of the project scope and milestones as well as budgetary information for the project implementation timeline and technical resource requirements. Once approval for the project implementation is decided, a more detailed project plan must developed specifying individuals to actual task assignments, real milestone dates, and project tracking.
Implement
IT projects typically demand a temporary increase in staff levels or technical talent. Clients that face a lack of capacity and/or a lack of capability can rely on Equilibrium’s staff to compliment and supplement their staff. The Equilibrium teams of certified IT professionals are subject matter experts on network and systems infrastructure technologies. Our technical project managers, systems engineers and technical writers are experienced and proficient at project implementation work. The success of any project depends on balancing the budget and having the right technical people for the job.
Document
Proper documentation is an important part of implementing any new IT solution. Equilibrium can develop systems configuration documentation detailing the important attributes of the information systems as they are built. Additionally, Equilibrium can develop step-by-step standard operating procedures documentation to ensure ongoing administrative service tasks are performed according to best practices.
Support
Equilibrium can become your source for on-going service needs. Equilibrium will allow you to reduce the burden on your staff, shorten your to-do list, and let your IT investment work for you. We provide the following service offerings:
Each ITSP client is assigned dedicated resources with the most appropriate skill sets. A handpicked services team will be customized from our pool of talented engineers. Our well developed, practice based methodology is constantly improving and is applied at each level of service offered by Equilibrium.
Types of Services:
- Scheduled Administration: The foundation of our IT Services Program is Scheduled Administration. Your dedicated resource team performs Best Practice Administration (BPA) during regularly scheduled support times either onsite or remote. We work with you to co-develop a specific checklist of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual BPA tasks based on your unique needs. Scheduled Administration ensures that your IT investments get the proper amount of routine maintenance they need to run reliably.
- Scheduled Service: During this time your dedicated engineering team can field IT issues of any nature and handle user Help Desk support requests during regularly scheduled service times either onsite or remote. Scheduled Service makes sure that engineers familiar with your systems have an adequate amount of time to resolve a usual amount of issues each week.
- Requested Service: Fast, flexible and as-needed service, either onsite or remote. Requested Service can include project based work or additional support time for ad hoc requests. Requested Service makes certain you have access as needed to Equilibrium’s pool of talented engineers to get a fast response to important issues that cannot wait until the next Scheduled Service time.
- Emergency Service: Optional for IT Services Program subscribers, Emergency Service is a guaranteed response from a member of your dedicated engineering team within two hours and, if necessary, onsite service within four business hours of your call.
Your primary point of contact – the IT Services Program Manager – will personally coordinate all aspects of the services offering and regularly monitor report and review your computing systems’ health with you. Equilibrium will allow you to reduce the burden on your staff, shorten your to-do list and let your IT investment work for you.
