| Case Studies |
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Scyllogis Consulting have been helping customers within the Insurance sector continue to achieve significantly higher levels of business performance from their data management programmes and information systems since 2001. Read how we have worked with some of these customers to achieve significant business results across the world, in our case studies. |
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Insurance organisations today are no more effective at delivering on large-scale data management initiatives than they were 10 years ago. In a recent survey, 70% of the companies said their data management initiatives did not deliver the expected results. That success rate was unchanged from similar surveys conducted in the 1990's. And the environment for data management is only getting more complex.....
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At Scyllogis Consulting all of our consultants have significant experience gained from within the Insurance market. Our people and our culture are our greatest assets. We only select people with relevant experience, intelligence, integrity, passion and the ambition to make a mark and deliver to our Customers the Scyllogis brand values of practical, results based consultancy. Our Consultants are pragmatic and open minded. That is why we deliver solutions that others dont..... Read More
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| Oracle/SAP Lawsuit Fuels Third-Party Maintenance Argument |
| Saturday, 15 September 2007 | |
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Page 2 of 2 While 22% or 15% maintenance tax on the software sounds like a lot of money, Shepherd said it's the cost of doing business in a volatile environment subject to changes in both business practices (new regulations, privacy issues, etc.) and in the technology itself. "On the one hand, you have this need for the software functionality itself to be continually updated, and on the other hand it sits on top of a highly volatile technology platform, where hardware operating systems, databases, middleware, user interfaces and so on are constantly improving and being developed," Shepherd said. "It is not realistic to think I am going to buy an enterprise application and keep it for 15 or 20 years and be perfectly happy with it if it doesn't change. I wouldn't be. And my users would never stand for it," Shepherd said. Colin Whickman agrees: ‘Of course it is not possible to opt out of vendor maintenance entirely; adapting the software for changes in operating system for example. But there are still a number of things that need not be done by the vendor and CIOs should consider the cost effectiveness of third part support companies’. Application support is "context-dependent," said Eric P. Meyer, a co-founder of NetFlix Inc. Meyer has worked with a number of start ups since leaving the online movie rental company in 2001. He said a broad-brush policy doesn't work for software maintenance. "If the vendor comes up with one version every four years and you pay 22% a year or 25% a year, you've paid for the software over again by the time you get the next version. That might feel quite expensive," Meyer said. "If they come up with a new significant improvement every year, and they take good care of you, then it might not feel expensive." A somewhat obvious statement, but worth making. Where does your vendor’s maintenance bill fit into that equation? Companies should determine the quality of support they can get, and how much they need. "If you are using open source, you don't really need support because everything is out there. But if you use a very complex software like Oracle applications, it is obvious you want their support," Meyer said. Do the major software vendors have you over a barrel? Yes and no, said a veteran CIO, who did not want to be quoted. If the software is strategic -- that is, the system is expected to change and grow with the business -- you have little choice but to go with the vendor, the CIO said. When it comes to "static" software IT has a number of options, including negotiating for source code and maintaining the software in-house or contracting it out. Scyllogis Consulting's recommendation is to always check the IPR clauses before entering into any licence agreement. Ensure that you are entitled to the source code for all bespoke development you commission through your vendor to ensure your future product support options are not restricted to the original vendor. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 17 September 2007 ) |
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