Over the last decade the majority of organizations have seen informatics grow from their mere backup-support role to become an inseparable part of the core activities, frequently serving the company's clients directly. Where informatics has taken a leading strategic role in this way, it becomes a decisive factor in the organization's success or otherwise, representing either a competitive advantage or a competitive disadvantage. All this has not only created an opportunity for informatics organizations, but it also represents a considerable responsibility - after all, IT expenditure has become one of the most significant cost factors in the annual corporate budget. We use our consultancy services to assist our clients in shaping a planning and management framework necessary for efficient operations, and we also support the clients in ensuring that informatics provides the answers for questions being asked by management. We help the informatics managers of our clients to success in fields which - just a few years ago - were virtually unknown such as, for example, synchronizing the organization and informatics, in- and outsourcing, cost breakdown by clients, service management and project-based operation in a matrix structure.

In the past ten years our experts have helped numerous Hungarian corporations and institutions to mature the functioning of their IT governance and structure, and acquire new skills, understanding and approaches even in those areas which formerly were not necessary in the IT organisation. Furthermore, in the last few years we have also supported several of our Central European clients towards successful informatics management.

It is the firm intention of AAM to share its practical experience, both within and outside projects and contracts, and from time to time in a broader professional circle, thereby contributing to improvement in the professional approach. This is why we are members of and regular presenters at the Hungarian branch of itSMF (IT Service Management Forum) and our consultants are members of the Hungarian branch of ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association).

Services

Consultancy services related to the operation of informatics organizations

• IT governance. We help our clients establish, audit and improve the operational frameworks vital for the efficient and successful governance of informatics, employing our practical experience gained using such internationally-recognized methodologies as ITIL or CoBIT. By exploiting our extensive experience we are able to assist in the development of effective resource management, performance assessment and project operation in the informatics field.

• Information strategy. We help our clients in developing an informatics strategy supporting the achievement of their business objectives. The basis of our methodology, which has been tried and tested on numerous occasions: thinking as our clients think, workshops, our own broad experience in the field of corporate informatics, and our extensive market and sector knowledge. Building on these factors, our experts - together with key personnel from the client's staff - put together an informatics vision of the future derived from the business strategy, plus we define the main stages and milestones (in an action plan) leading towards realization of this vision of the future. Where necessary, we also plan in detail the campaigns and projects to be implemented in stage one, and provide support for their execution.

• Informatics operation. We help our clients establish a service-oriented informatics operation which supports the business operation effectively and profitably. We help answer the fundamental questions of informatics operation and prepare the way for related decisions. We draw up - in partnership with the client - an operational concept (outsourcing, SLM/SLA) based on the decision. We engage in drafting SLA contract sample copies and templates, and where necessary we also take part in drafting the particulars of the contract in question. Furthermore, we provide backup in determining the parameters to be measured and the establishment of the related processes and tools necessary to achieve these.

• Informatics development. We help our clients establish the conditions and environment that guarantee efficient developments supporting business objectives: we help in the introduction of an appropriate development methodology and the formation of development-related processes from demand management through project processes necessary for implementation to system support.

• Information security. We help our clients comply with the rigorous security requirements demanded due to the increasing threat level perceptible in the area of information systems and operational fields. We draft the organization's overall security regulation, carry out security audits of specific information systems, and draw up a business continuity and disaster recovery plan that handles the business processes and operation harmonized with the information systems and processes.

Our informatics operational experts have amassed practical experience in several industries, in particular the finance, energy and public utilities, telecommunications, transport, public administration, manufacturing and commerce sectors. Five of our consultants hold CISA certification and six have passed informatics service management-related BS15000 consultant and ITIL-F/M examinations. Working on the basis of broad methodological and industry experience, we offer our clients integrated consultancy services extending across the entire organization or divisions as well as targeting specific processes.

Key References

In the area of the operation of informatics organizations

• OTP Bank - Establishment of an IT resource management and performance assessment framework system - 2008
• MOL - Drafting the information security strategy - 2007
• Office of the National Council of Justice (Országos Igazságszolgáltatási Tanács Hivatala) - Transformation of the structure of the informatics department - 2006
• K&H Bank - Drafting business activity continuity plan for the branch offices - 2006
• T-Mobile Hungary - Establishing Release and Demand management processes - 2006
• Ministry of Justice, Bulgaria - Supervising the IT strategy and preparing an IT organizational concept, and supporting its implementation - 2005-2007
• National Institute of Statistics, Romania - Supervising, unifying IT processes, project management, introducing planning and administration processes, training courses - 2005-2006

Clients

Hungary - Municipality of Budapest (Budapest Főváros Önkormányzata), Cellum, CIB Bank, South Hungarian Electric Supply Joint-Stock Company (Démász), Dunaferr Dunai Vasmű, E.On Hungária, Educatio Social Service Public Company, Elcoteq Magyarország, Public Employment Service, Budapest Gas Works Co. (Fővárosi Gázművek), ITD Hungary, K&H Bank, Central Statistical Office (Központi Statisztikai Hivatal), Prosecutor General (Legfőbb Ügyészség), Hungarian Roads Management Company (Magyar Közút), Hungarian Natiuonal Bank (MNB), Hungarian Post Co. Ltd. (Magyar Posta), MÁV Cargo, Mavir, Microsoft Magyarország, MKB Bank, Mol, Office of the National Council of Justice (Országos Igazságszolgáltatási Tanács Hivatala), OTP Bank, T-Mobile Hungary;

Romania - National Institute of Statistics, OTP Bank Romania;

Bulgaria - Ministry of Justice