The global economic recession is forcing many CIOs to justify their organization’s IT spend more than ever before. According to one Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) executive, this means is more channel opportunities in the enterprise project management space.
Tad Haas, senior project manager for Microsoft’s enterprise project management (EPM) division, said the Microsoft Office EPM solution has become increasingly relevant to the channel and to customers in light of the current economic situation. With the tightening of IT belts and more scrutiny being placed on IT spending, many CIOs now have to defend where each dollar is going.
With Microsoft’s EPM solution, Haas said users can manage and prioritize projects and resources across the enterprise. Benefits include cost and time savings and the elimination of redundant work through the use of project, resource and risk management capabilities. The solution offers users a holistic view with better visibility into IT resources.
“Using EPM software, (businesses) can defend their spend, justify headcount and prove business value,” Haas said.
Warren Shiau, lead analyst of IT research for Toronto-based The Strategic Counsel, said the two areas where IT spending will stay strong are management efficiency and infrastructure consolidation efficiency-focused solutions.
“Virtualization is driving this because businesses are seeing the benefits with cost savings,” Shiau said. “Project management and EPM will also produce direct savings in IT because businesses get a holistic view, more automation and a reduction in duplicate work.”
Because EPM is built on the Microsoft platform and works with other Microsoft technologies through a familiar Microsoft interface, users can also leverage project controls, IT governance, risk and IT management and collaboration capabilities, Haas said.
According to Paul Estabrooks, vice-president of sales for Agora Consulting Partners Inc., a Toronto-based consulting firm and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, customers who stay consistent in their business and workflow efficiencies during this recession will come out ahead once the economy bounces back.
“If businesses are consistent in their efficiencies, they’ll be more agile and better able to respond to what the market throws at them,” Estabrooks said. “We’re seeing a growing opportunity around performance management solutions right now too because interest is growing.”
Haas recommends channel partners first speak to senior-level executives about the benefits of an EPM solution before working their way downwards in the company.
Estabrooks also advises partners to go in asking the CIO questions such as “What kinds of questions are coming at you about IT spend?” Then, from there, he suggests partners talk about ways to solve these issues by using EPM.
Haas said partners should also speak to the CFO because, often times, the CIO reports directly to this position. The important thing is to “open up a dialogue so everyone can think about it (EPM) from the top down,” he said.