Stephens Scown – IT Service Review

Project type: IT Service Review

Following a recent change of IT suppliers Stephens Scown had suffered from several system outages. We were engaged to undertake a detailed review of Stephens Scown’s IT Service Hosting provision in order to:-

  • gain full understanding of the causation of three recent outages and subsequent mitigations;
  • assess the services provided and capabilities of the service provided.

Deliverables

To undertake a thorough review of the current situation and provide a situation analysis report with recommendations for Stephens Scown

  • Assessing the suppliers capabilities and suitability.
  • Detailed assessment of recent major incidents.
  • Reviewing day to day support processes.
  • Ensuring service delivered is as per contractual obligations.
  • Ensuring the infrastructure is configured and maintained correctly.

 

Outputs

  • Improved understanding of the causation of the major incidents.
  • Identification and formal recognition of supplier relationship issues.
  • Increased knowledge of suppliers processes and procedures

 

About Stephens Scown

Our people deliver practical, expert advice to help you make informed decisions and achieve your objectives. This is based on a deep understanding of your needs and a commitment to building long-lasting relationships through the good times and the tough times. It’s a refreshing approach to law, built on a culture of knowledge, innovation, and a relentless focus on our clients.

Our Approach

The initial phase of the project was to undertake a thorough review of the situation which entailed:

  • An initial evaluation of the service provision by reviewing documentation including tender responses and contracts.
  • Investigations into the impact of the system outages by reviewing supplier reports, Stephens Scowns reports and interviewing members of staff.
  • Visits to the supplier’s site were undertaken to:
    • interview staff and to investigate their services;
    • review the supplier’s organizational and technical processes
    • assess the supplied infrastructure;
    • investigated in greater detail the recent key incidents.
  • Identified and engaged a non-competitive third party to undertake a “hands-on” technical assessment of the configuration of the infrastructure

This work resulted in a detailed report which:_

  • Summarized the supplier’s capabilities and considered these against their obligations.
  • Covered more subjective issues such as:
    • the supplier’s ownership of the overall solution;
    • management of subsequent problems;
    • client-supplier relationships.
  • Concluded with a list of useful recommendations.

The independent review report was supplied to the firm and was subsequently shared with the supplier

“We needed to conduct an audit of the backend services and processes provided by our supplier. The supplier was un-cooperative and Kevin was met with much resistance. Kevin’s perseverance and patience paid off and he was able to acquire the information needed for his report.

In difficult circumstances, Kevin demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and commitment to achieve the desired outcome for his client. As a result of Kevin’s report we are better placed to manage the supplier.”

Dean Mostert

Director of ICT, Stephens Scown

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