Discovery
Many of our clients have already invested in an asset database or even a configuration management database. This might be a simple stand-alone database or part of an Enterprise System Management tool. If you have not yet done this, you won't be able to sustain a programme to address exposures. NNS will conduct a short engagement to establish

• What equipment and software you have, where it's located and who uses it
• We build network schematics affording graphic representations of your IT infrastructure
• We build an IT service catalogue which serves to identify what the ITO is delivering to the business as well affording the business the opportunity to determine which of those services still pertain and the importance that the business attaches to them
• We build an ITO skills catalogue which serves to identify the capacity of the ITO to deliver pertinent services to the business
• We conduct audits in the management disciplines of policies, processes and standards with a view to identifying areas of vulnerability; embracing both business and technology management
• We will record these within a simple CMDB with query facilities

Exposures Assessment

Once a basic CMDB is in place, you are in a position to conduct an exposures assessment and record the findings within the CMDB. Our strong belief in managing the benefits that the ITO delivers to the business ensures that the CMDB is a practical tool delivering strategic information to all the business units.

We conduct an IT organisation maturity assessment which looks at the alignment between IT and the business, as well as the maturity of your IT service management processes. The assessment usually involves executive interviews and a customer satisfaction survey. NNS will identify any process and skills gaps that create exposures for your organisation.

Concurrently, our infrastructure specialists will run enterprise-auditing software on your network. These tools cannot change any settings but gather vital configuration information and identify vulnerabilities within your networks. As important as technology is, it must be supported by repeatable processes used by adequately skilled people.

The deliverable from the integrity exposures audit is a report of vulnerabilities together with recommendations for remediation.

Remediation

Our solutions sets have been designed to assist ITO's progress along the management process maturity continuum. We are well versed in assisting the ITO to assess its peculiar management status, as defined by internationally accepted standards and practices. In turn, the ITO is able to 'look in the mirror' and see how the business views its efforts. Our patented process improvement methodologies ensure that the ITO is able to

• Realistically improve its management processes
• Exhibit tangible management process maturity
• Enhance service delivery credibility within the organisation