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Technology Trends - Ready to Make Your Own “Normal” Post-Pandemic?

4/9/2021

 
by Mark Searls, TeamLogic IT

As we enter the second quarter of 2021, companies of all sizes are assessing their digital transformations more than a year since the pandemic disrupted the U.S. workforce, U.S. economy and, consequently, business as usual.

“The confusion, disruption and uncertainty we’ve experienced in 2020 will have some spillover effect in 2021, but rather than rebuilding to restore what it was, we believe that the industry is poised to rebuild for a better and brighter future,” said Carolyn April, co-author of CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook 2021.

CompTIA’s report asserted that these days “there is no normal.” Per a survey by IBM of nearly 400 IT leaders, nearly two-thirds reported they felt the necessary technology wasn’t in place for the future.

Here are some details:
1) Pedal to the Metal: Researchers observed that the pandemic compelled many companies to rapidly accelerate digital transformation plans due to the healthcare pandemics impact on business and the workforce.
2) Transformation Disrupted: 24% of respondents said their company had only just started its IT modernization. The remaining third said they were mid-transformation.
3) Cloud Is Key: 95% of IT leaders said they were looking to adopt cloud strategies, with more than half (53%) saying they were "aggressively" pursuing a public cloud strategy, 48% a hybrid cloud strategy and 45% a private cloud strategy.
So, as we roll into spring, we’re asking readers: Is your business ready to create its own “normal” in the post-pandemic environment?

Viewpoint - Leadership Skills for Transformative IT

 “This healthcare crisis has thrust IT teams—often the "unsung heroes" of a business—into the limelight like never before,” Citrix Systems CIO Meerah Rajavel told The Wall Street Journal earlier this year.
Truth, indeed. The last year of coping with a global pandemic's economic impact leaves no doubt that transforming digital operations is critical to success for any business. And, regardless of title or department, as a leader in your organization you share responsibility for building your company's post-pandemic future through the smart use of technology.
So, how can you make the most of the continuing limelight? We have three recommendations:
1) Embrace Change: Make leading transformational IT a priority. As CIO Magazine columnist John Edwards says, “Becoming a respected and prized leader isn't easy, but it's a goal within reach of just about anyone who's willing to commit to the task.”
2) Enable Change: “Leaders quickly recognize and act on emerging business and technology trends…when an obstacle appears, they have the decisiveness and speed to quickly shift gears and modify their approach,” says Edwards.
3) Empower Relationships: Per Edwards, transformative leaders don’t focus “only on helping teams achieve their planned goals; they also work hard to help team members reach their full potential.” That’s how we strive to support you at TeamLogic IT.



IT Strategy - 3 Ways to Avoid Cloud Migration Limbo

“The pandemic validated cloud’s value proposition,” Sid Nag, research vice president at Gartner, wrote late last year, explaining the research and advisory firm’s 2021 cloud services forecast. “The ability to use on-demand, scalable cloud models to achieve cost efficiency and business continuity is providing the impetus for organizations to rapidly accelerate their digital business transformation plans.”
True then. Truer now. IT spending devoted to public, private and hybrid solutions continues to escalate more than a year after the healthcare crisis struck, disrupting operations across the spectrum of U.S. businesses.

So, how do you ensure your organization’s successful migration to cloud computing? Writing for ISACA, the international professional association focused on IT governance, cloud productivity expert Robert Brzezinski has three suggestions for you:
1) Commit and Persist: A collaborative team of business and technology leaders must develop a cloud adoption roadmap and obtain written commitment from the top of the organization. Periodically communicate progress and challenges and adjust your plan often. Commitment means sticking to overall strategy even as some individual tactics may go awry.
2) Reduce and Simplify: A “good-enough” solution with less complexity is better than five of the best solutions that create significant integration complexity or cannot be integrated at all. Adding outside expertise helps.
3) Broaden and Include: When discussing options and seeking expert guidance, include as many parties that are dependent on your migration's success as possible—employees, customers, suppliers, etc.

​TeamLogic IT is ready to join your team of cloud experts. Give us a call to learn how.

 
 

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Best Practices for Procurement Part 10 - Preparing the RFP - Create Price Lists

3/18/2021

 

By Sandy Chockla, Franchise Owner, Expense Reduction Analysts.

When creating the list of products or services to be priced, you need to ensure you specify exactly what is to be priced.   If you are collecting the price of stretch wrap, for example, you need to specify if it is clear or opaque, the color, the thickness, the size of the rolls, the locations where it needs to be delivered, etc.  
 
You should also decide if you will allow the suppliers to suggest substitutions or alternate products.  If so, the best practice is to ask the suppliers to quote the specified product (so you can compare like for like), but then provide additional columns for the suppliers to complete if they have a suggested alternate.
 
Be sure to collect information in order to be able to calculate your total cost.  For example, is the delivery charge included?  Will the suppliers offer volume discounts or rebates?  Is there is a cost involved with switching suppliers?  Examples of switching costs are the cost for tooling that the supplier needs or the cost to educate your employees on the new software.  

Sandy Chockla is a franchise owner and Principal Consultant for Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA).  ERA has a network of experts in more than 40 overhead expense categories which I leverage to benchmark prices, review supplier agreements, and optimize our client’s purchases or services.  This is done without compromising supplier quality or service.  If you would like to have a discussion, you can contact Sandy at schockla@expensereduction.com or call direct at 970-232-4860 .

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Why It’s Never Been More Important to be Lean than During/Post COVID

3/18/2021

 

By Peter Holtgrieve, Partners in Business Excellence

COVID-19 has taught us in business quite a bit about agility, emergency preparedness, and the importance of processes. We have learned what matters, how to make shifts in the face of restrictive ordinances, and decision-making under extreme pressure.
We’ve seen businesses close as they couldn’t manage change, while others thrived. Never before has being efficient been so relevant, and necessary. Those who grew during this time may now be facing a decrease and are planning to adjust once again. As restrictions are lifted, others may be looking at adapting to a new normal. Processes and change management have become a focus.
For me, these have always been a primary objective. What do processes look like, what are they producing, and how can we improve efficiency?

Lean Operations for Emergencies
Emergency situations often reveal the holes in our processes. This is often why organizations, such as schools, run mock drills to test their effectiveness. Those regular drills help teachers prepare for fires, storms, and other dangers.
Similarly, I look at processes so that when emergencies happen, we know where the holes are. The additional benefit is that when there isn’t an emergency, processes run smoother and more efficiently.
Understanding processes and closing efficiency gaps allows management to make better decisions under pressure. They also are more agile because they understand the full workflow and can anticipate the waterfall effect of problems at any point of the flow.

Lean Inventory During Shortages/ Delays
Inventory should be an asset, not a waste of money. Managing appropriate levels of inventory and having a grasp on supply chain is key. How did this last year impact production in regards to inventory? Did it run smoothly, or did it stall? Did product design or workflows change in response? Did deadlines and shipping meet expectations?
Visual inventory management, min/max ordering and other tools can be implemented to support the best possible outcomes to maximize floor space and reduce cold inventory. Understanding and preparing for inventory issues ultimately impacts profitability.
Supply chain interruptions were incredibly disruptive during COVID and taught us a bit more about how to be prepared and shift when we can’t get standard supplies.

Lean Staffing in the Midst of Change
In the face of COVID, some employees are anxiously looking to return to positions. Others, like teachers and waitstaff, may chose other career paths, possibly permanently. Until we are back to a full reopening, it’s hard to know what staffing demands will look like.
HR managers will have their hands full managing this changing dynamic and the secret to success is found in the process. Not only will managing the paperwork and policy management be critical, but training staff to get them fully productive will be important.
The better the processes, the less important the employee’s beginning skill set is. Hiring the right people and teaching them the required skills will be a key in rebuilding staff as the country reopens.

A Little Reflection
How did your processes hold up this last year? Did it reveal some holes that could use patching? Are you preparing for the new normal to come? Do you need support in building processes to support the coming changes? How can I help?
 
PBEX, LLC is a lean consulting firm specializing in uncovering the holes in organizational processes that result in loss of any kind. We start with a complete review and analysis of the business processes that create efficiency and profitability, and the barriers to them. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule your review with a lean consultant.  

 

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TeamLogic IT Named 2020 MSP of the Year

10/8/2020

 

by Mark Searls, TeamLogic IT

Channel Futures Awards Top-Rated Managed Services Provider as 1st Place Winner for Specialty Award
MISSION VIEJO, Calif., September 9, 2020— TeamLogic IT, a national provider of managed IT services and technology support for businesses, has been named the 2020 MSP of the Year by Channel Futures during its prestigious 13thAnnual MSP 501 awards ceremony held September 8. TeamLogic IT has ranked in the MSP 501 since 2014, yet this is the first time the company has earned the MSP of the Year Award.
MSPs from around the globe completed an exhaustive survey and application this spring to self-report product offerings, annual total and recurring revenues, profits, revenue mix, growth opportunities and company and customer demographic information. Applicants are ranked on a unique methodology that weights revenue figures according to long-term health and viability; commitment to recurring revenue; and operational efficiency.
“It is an honor to earn the distinction as first place winner of the MSP of the Year award from Channel Futures,” said TeamLogic, Inc. President and COO Dan Shapero. “Every day more and more businesses rely on TeamLogic IT for comprehensive managed IT services and advanced technology support for their organizations. We appreciate Channel Futures’ recognition of our franchise model and national footprint as a differentiator in our industry.”
“The 2020 MSP 501 Special Award winners stand as examples of the creativity, business agility and willingness to take risks that define the modern channel, and the Channel Futures team extends our heartfelt congratulations to these innovative companies,” says Kris Blackmon, Content Director for Channel Partners and Channel Futures, and lead of the MSP 501 program. “The evolution of the managed services market is reflected in the changing nature of the MSP 501 winners over the years, and each and every winner from the past 13 years deserves the highest praise and is awarded inclusion in the exclusive Channel Futures 501er Community peer organization.”
The complete 2020 MSP 501 list is available at Channel Futures.
Background
The 2020 MSP 501 list is based on data collected by Channel Futures and its sister site, Channel Partners. Data was collected online from March 1 through June 30, 2020. The MSP 501 list recognizes top managed service providers based on metrics including recurring revenue, profit margin and other factors.
About TeamLogic IT
TeamLogic IT is a national provider of advanced technology solutions for companies of all sizes. Local offices provide clients with the IT support they need to run their businesses more efficiently by leveraging the latest technology solutions including managed IT services, cybersecurity, business continuity, cloud services, mobility solutions, unified communications and consulting and support. With more than 200 independently owned and operated locations across North America, TeamLogic IT helps companies minimize downtime and improve productivity. For more information, visit www.TeamLogicIT.com. TeamLogic IT is owned by Franchise Services, Inc. (FSI), a management company that also owns the franchise brands Sir Speedy, PIP Printing, Signal Graphics, and MultiCopy in the Netherlands.
​

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