A virtual desktop is one where all computing happens remotely. It contains a very simple screen that allows you to replace the heavy workstations that are currently being used by the majority of companies. Virtual desktops provide a “virtual” space, in which the user can place all their application software. The most compelling argument that vendors use to convince organizations to buy in to this solution is the fact that all the data and applications are in one secure location. Someone can still manage all of their employee’s desktops, even when the computer is off.

The recent trend has been for companies to move to Windows Vista. This allows an organization to keep the same hardware, which is a viable solution to cut costs. So, why are some people hesitant to invest in this? The answer seems to be that virtual desktops are not a “one size fits all” solution - but there are ways for easy implementation, which is where BearingPoint comes in. We assist with the pain points or doubts that an organizations goes through. It is our goal to assist with the development of a strategic roadmap that brings the client all the way through the deployment. We bring our expertise to the table to ensure the transition is smooth and that our clients are on their way to cost-saving success.

Tags: BearingPoint, Laurent Mandorla, virtual desktops, virtualization

The question that is most asked is, “How can we prevent it?” While rogue trading cannot be prevented, one can change the environment so that there is less incentive to engage in this act. In most organizations today, there is enough incentive to continue this type of trading because the proper controls have not been put into effect. An organization needs to be aware of activities that are outside of the norm and be knowledgeable of significant gains and losses. With the proper controls, a rogue trader can be identified and stopped before irreparable damage has occurred.

With most laws, there are ways to police them. We need to do this with trading, too. The controls need to be visible so that employees know that people are looking out for this type of behavior, but not too visible where an employee can identify ways to get around it. The most important element of policing this type of behavior is data mining. With the right technology, data mining can identify any odd behavior. The investment in the proper technology will allow companies to identify the culprits once they have engaged in unlawful behavior and before the company’s image has been tainted.

Tags: data mining, Andy Sanderson, BearingPoint, Rogue Traders

Sourcing and procurement cost takeout is very easy to understand at the strategic level. One needs to identify where an organization can consolidate spend, use enterprise leverage to negotiate lower unit cost, and then direct the users to purchase from the new enterprise contract. However, in a large global institution, with a fair degree of autonomy in the business units, these tasks can be very difficult to implement. Many companies use leading practices in isolated pockets throughout the enterprise. We look at Sourcing and Procurement across 11 different attributes using an enterprise maturity model to help clients understand their position relative to leading industry practices, determine the maturity level goals of the client and develop a multi-year roadmap to achieve those goals.

For those who want to reduce cost and improved performance, there is some solid advice that we can offer. Sourcing and procurement cost takeout is very easy to understand at the strategic level, but very difficult to implement in a large global institution, with a fair degree of autonomy in the business. BearingPoint informs their clients to focus on four key areas, if they want to achieve their cost takeout goals. The four areas are to develop a case for change, align executive management around the case, create a multi-year roadmap and possibly the most important, make sure the project has a disciplined benefits realization process in place. The users and stakeholders must see the financial benefit of the transformation, because everyone will ask themselves, “Is the pain worth the gain.” Executives need to see the quantitative analysis to say “yes” - the pain is worth the gain.

Tags: BearingPoint, Bill Stotzer

The employee on-boarding process is a great concern for most organizations. The concern being that there is not a single owner of this process, so it is essential to get every responsible party involved. A company needs to ensure that groups such as procurement, real estate for seat assignment, and IT for computer set up are all engaged. In the past, an email was sent company-wide and the manager of the new hire assumed all tactical objectives would be completed. As many companies soon found out, this was hardly ever the case.

BearingPoint has partnered with Oracle to provide a solution to on-boarding that involves a precise architecture that serves as the foundation of your central system. This architecture provides a single point of access and serves as a new hire portal for both the employee and the company. This system serves as a tracker for what needs to be done and what has been completed to ensure a smooth transition for your new hire.

Tags: human resources, BearingPoint, Randy Nease, on-boarding, Oracle

Through the seven steps that have been outlined, you will identify ways to not only examine your daily business, but how to change it. The challenge with financial institutions today is that information is produced in silos. With all this information being spread around, it is hard for a manager to know what is going on and when there is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Our proven methodology focuses on the importance of putting information in the hands of the deal maker and how to change the incentive structure. Above everything else, an organization must learn how to implement a comprehensive integrated performance and risk management framework. This framework is vital for the success of one’s organization.

In a period of sharply reduced balance sheet allocations, certain businesses have reached a critical point where information and tools are required if they are to compete effectively. Organizations can better prepare themselves to achieve advantageous returns by formulating a comprehensive risk and performance strategy. A strategy similar to that outlined herein can help management to dramatically reduce the capital your organization consumes while conversely demonstrating superior returns.

Tags: BearingPoint, Brian Hart, risk management

Businesses are often architected for the transaction state, not the information state. Even organizations that achieve some level of maturity in their use of BI tools cannot stand idle. Because the financial services industry is facing a business environment characterized by a sustained demand for performance in the midst of such a versatile marketplace, they must improve their risk management and transparency. The market will continue to change rapidly, therefore organizations must think strategically and act pragmatically. Exciting developments in BI are opening the door to dramatic improvement in business performance. Organizations can effectively capitalize on the opportunities by taking a strategic approach to enterprise BI. BearingPoint believes that organizations can be effective by matching needs to mature technology enablers on a just-in-time basis and executing incrementally against a time-based road map. This approach is practical for organizations regardless of where they are on the BI maturity continuum. We also believe the ability to execute BI within a business-oriented vision and a broader enterprise information management framework remains a differentiator.

Tags: BearingPoint, Larry Manno, business intelligence, BI, risk management

It’s the major cost reductions and expedited service deliveries that have many companies turning to Global Services Delivery. There are so many opportunities around re-engineering their current operations and improving their speed to market quality. To develop a successful plan of action, a company needs to be given a thorough evaluation of their current program. Once we understand where a company currently stands, it’s easier to recommend changes to their current infrastructure. Ever company is different, which means that for each client, the strategy we advise is customized to fit their needs.

We not only work with some of the most distinguished experts in the field, but individuals with a deep domain expertise. It is our expertise that will provide you with measurable results in both your bottom line and overall performance.

Tags: BearingPoint, Gil Mermelstein

While the complexities of cross-industry M&A are even greater than those for intra-industry transactions, the similarities between the industries contribute to a compelling business case. The key is a deep understanding of market direction and growth, a well-planned approach to the transaction and, equally important, clear confidence as to what happens post-transaction, both inside the company and in the marketplace.

The convergence of banking, insurance and health is driving great opportunity to leverage strengths, capabilities and channels across market sectors to the benefit of consumers, companies and investors. But the risk of disappointing outcomes is especially high in inter-industry efforts without essential knowledge and planning. To improve the chances of a positive outcome, look well beyond the deep financial analysis applied to traditional intra-industry efforts. Finally, design and articulate a post-transaction operating model that can position you to take advantage of this dramatic U.S. economic shift.

Tags: BearingPoint, Kirsten Trusko, consumer-directed, mergers and acquisitions, M&A, private equity, venture capital, health banking, CDH

Since BearingPoint has engaged in various projects around Commercial Equipment Leasing, we are well versed at advising a client on how they can address their challenges. It is essential for us to do an initial assessment to understand how your business is currently operating. When we present our findings we also compare your performance against the industry standards. By leveraging our findings against your goals, we are able to advise you on how to proceed. This may involve helping you to run more efficiently with your current systems, all the way to implementing a new ERP system with system selection, custom coding, and full scale business transformation.

Whether a new system is recommended or not, the most important thing is to have solid policies and procedures outlined. This should include compliance checks throughout the process, including regular audits to make sure things are being done correctly. To ensure you company is set up for success, document your policies and procedures and have them easily accessible to your employees. BearingPoint is a proven leader in this industry with consultants who understand the industry inside and out. We are able to leverage off of our proven methodology to increase the likelihood of success.

Tags: ERP, BearingPoint, Commercial Equipment Leasing, Dan Draughon

The main obstacle for an organization is delivering technology in a cost-effective manner. Most often, leaders are not aware of their total spend across the organization. The idea behind IT effectiveness is to integrate an IT Cost Transparency solution which is paramount for determining the total spend. With IT Cost Transparency, you are able to look across the entire organization to see the costs of all services, facilities and people, and to see how it relates to the applications you’re utilizing. It is this type of function that will allow you to re-evaluate where you are currently spending your funds and how you can reduce costs.

One of the most significant obstacles we see occurring is the unwillingness for an organization to welcome new solutions. Most clients only have a ledger view of their current spend. These are the clients that need a transparent component added to their current infrastructure. Once a client sees the costs that can be reduced, leaders are compelled to act.

Tags: BearingPoint, Frank Mackris, IT Cost Transparency

The biggest issue banks are facing is the lack of loyalty from its current clientele. Present-day customers will shop around and find the best price to do their personal banking, loans, credit cards, and even mortgages. Many times this results in the use of various banks that are all competing for your loyalty. In order to conquer the competition, many retail banks are turning to a transparent system which allows them to view all the costs across the entire organization. This in turn determines where costs can be eliminated and how they can better provide a more cost-effective solution to their customers for all their banking needs.

With our deep process knowledge and global depth, BearingPoint brings both management consulting and strong technology experience to the table. We not only work with some of the most distinguished experts in the field, but individuals with a deep domain expertise. Through our Retail Banking Solution, our only priority is assisting you with redefining your current systems to provide the best possible solutions to your clients.

Tags: BearingPoint, Peter Nikonovich, Retail Banking, Enterprise Performance Improvement

With all of the negative symptoms affecting both the consumer and credit lenders, we have reached a point where there isn’t a lot of capital left for lending. This has led to many mergers, but not a grasp on how to re-structure the current processes. Organizations are being pressured to reduce costs and manage risk. When you re-engineer the current process, you are basically consolidating all the processes into one solution. This solution must encompass the right technology and the right control. Most organizations do not have the capacity to handle this type of project on their own. They need assistance in determining what went wrong in the past and how they can rectify the current situation.

In order for a company to even consider making changes to their current systems, there are a few items that need to be addressed. An organization must develop a strategy for this change and ensure that everyone involved is on board. They must make a business case to rally support and they must educate their employees of all possible scenarios. A company must be ready for implementation and not underestimate the importance of change management. Only then will they be able to implement a new structure that will allow them to streamline their processes and welcome new products to market.

Tags: BearingPoint, Kevin McClafferty

The holistic approach consists of a 4-solution suite that focuses on global service delivery, operating modeling optimization, retail banking solutions and enterprise spend management. By utilizing these solutions, which may not all apply to the individual client, your organization can obtain an optimal approach to technology effectiveness and complete transparency.

Prior to making a determination of which solution(s) will benefit our client, there are few key factors that must be analyzed. After compiling a list of “good” data, we’ll work to understand what has worked in the past for the organization and if they’re willing to adopt change. It is also essential to identify key benchmarks and outline some best practices. It’s this type of efficiency that separates us from the competition.

With our deep process knowledge and global depth, BearingPoint brings both management consulting and strong technology experience to the table. We not only work with some of the most distinguished experts in the field, but individuals with a deep domain expertise. The most significant differentiator that we can proclaim is our willingness to implement our work on a gain sharing basis. Through our Enterprise Performance Improvement Solution, our only priority is impacting your bottom line and ensuring you are better prepared for any obstacles that are faced in the future.

Tags: BearingPoint, Joe Monti, Enterprise Performance Solution, P&L

Tags: BearingPoint, Chuck Elgin

It is important to understand that the most important discipline is effective advertising. With the practical use of statistical metrics, an organization can determine how to optimize their advertising budget.

Marketing Performance Management is utilizing new tools that offer better data transparency, and in turn, better align an organization CMO with their CIO.

Tags: BearingPoint, Marketing Performance Management, Richard Birt, advertising analytics

In 1995, Europe established a privacy law that provides a common privacy framework to protect its citizens from fraudsters. This framework currently does not exist in the US, so without a common privacy framework, fraudsters will continue to take advantage of the inconsistencies of the current policy and enforcement in the US.

To better protect its citizens, officials need to respond to the threats and begin to develop a cohesive strategy to combat fraud. We need to move away from a self-regulated system and implement a government agency that will monitor one centralized system of data. Only then will Americans be protected and confident that their information is secure.

Tags: BearingPoint, Warren Zafrin, privacy

The key elements that have been identified in the midst of the recent turmoil are the importance of a single, integrated trade performance and risk management platform. Most companies have invested considerably in separate financial, risk management and trading systems. The challenge, however, is the need to pull information from a variety of sources into a single, cohesive reporting framework that blends risk and performance insights. This framework can then provide a view of the business that is consistent with how traders and management think of it.

In addition to implementing an integrated performance, it is essential to eliminate unnecessary costs in risk management by eliminating significant administrative activity, such as spending 20% of company time troubleshooting. By freeing up these resources, management can focus on their business, as opposed to managing the process of creating information.

Crises such as this are nothing new to the financial world. By understanding the importance of an integrated platform and the other key capabilities that are essential to success, a financial institution can ensure they are better prepared for any obstacles they face in the future.

Tags: BearingPoint, Trading Performace and Risk Management, Brian Hart, risk management

Tags: BearingPoint, Julien Furioli

With the recent credit crisis that has made its way across our nation, more and more companies are demanding an advanced analytics capability in their organization. Advanced analytics requires highly skilled individuals who are proven to provide statistical models to predict future trends of a business. Through offshoring advanced analytics, an organization can provide its client with a cost efficient method to an advanced resource that has been proven to increase profitability and sales.

Finding qualified offshoring venues is easier than ever. Once a facility is determined, the organization begins robust project planning and security certification. More and more companies are turning to offshoring venues because of the lack of supply constraints. These venues are being formed in countries where there is an abundance of resources and a high educational status. Through offshoring, an organization has a pool of advanced resources they can choose from and at an affordable price.

Tags: BearingPoint, Ray Wilson

There are many known benefits that come with utilizing VoIP. This technology promotes revenue generation, increases cost savings and attains soft assets. Since VoIP can be accessed remotely, organizations save money on both time spent and people. Through utilizing remote access, fewer people are needed to administer VoIP and support can be maintained overseas.

The most important element of deciding if VoIP is right for your organization is to determine the financial baseline of what can be allocated. A company must first determine if new equipment or a different environment is required to implement VoIP into their system. A business case is not a template. It requires agreement between key executives and needs to be tailored to each organizations requirements.

Tags: BearingPoint, Takashi Yoskizaki, VoIP

The biggest issue that an organization faces is embracing the solutions that have been provided. For the solutions to be effective, an organization must undergo proper training. Once the solutions have been put into effect, it is much easier to measure progress and alter any solutions that have not been as effective as originally thought. An organization must be aware that they need to establish a best practice, have the desire to make necessary changes, the knowledge to adopt the solutions, the ability to utilize this practice and the power to reinforce it.

Tags: BearingPoint, Frederic Veron

Now more then ever, disaster recovery is about the full recovery of business resumption activities and the technology infrastructure. The most important element for disaster recovery is being able to replicate a production facility into a remote facility. Facilities and strategy are the two cornerstones for any disaster recovery plan.

In recent years, companies have been actively developing two data centers to deal with disasters. One center is dedicated to day-to-day activities and the other specializes in disaster recovery. BearingPoint has been diligently working to develop a plan that utilizes both centers on a day-to-day basis so that in the event of a disaster, only 50% of the workflow is affected.

Tags: BearingPoint, Daryouche Behboudi, disaster recovery

Risk assessment helps firms identify risks and establish a baseline risk model for vendors, business partners and service providers. After establishing potential weaknesses through the assessment process, a logical next step is to categorize the vendors based on the risks associated with the specifics of each vendor’s contracted work.

Identifying vendors that pose the greatest risk helps guide actions to reduce exposure and allows the organization to focus effort and resources on increasing risk reduction. Categorizing vendor risks can be difficult for institutions working with hundreds of various providers. Vendor categorization offers a systematic way to analyze and rate provider risks.

Tags: BearingPoint, Hitesh Anklesaria, outsourcing vendors, offshore, security risks, Risk assessment, service providers, Vendor categorization

Mike 2.0 is a web 2.0 technique that is used to simplify the complexity of finding data. It takes out many of the steps that are currently taken to manage and allocate important information. With a less than stellar performance in the past, Information Management led many people to believe that securing data was a threat and not an opportunity. With the introduction of Mike 2.0, BearingPoint has engaged in a competitive advantage over our competitors.

BearingPoint has spent many years developing a strategy that could target the threats commonly seen with Information Management. The important element was recognizing the challenges and developing a strategic solution. By using Mike 2.0, the client becomes familiar with a new method for extracting data, one that take less time and money.

BearingPoint’s Information Management solutions help your organization understand its toughest information management challenges and begin the journey to learn more.

Tags: BearingPoint, Robert Hilliard, Mike 2.0, Information Management

Oracle Lease Management is a powerful data management tool that offers the user flexibility and the ability to be competitive in the marketplace. Designed for asset-based finance companies, OLM can increase productivity and manage the challenges that many users face from their old legacy systems. In past efforts to introduce OLM to the marketplace, there was a lot of hesitation around its effectiveness; companies not only feared changing platforms, but the time it took to implement the system.

Over the course of the past four years since it was first introduced, BearingPoint has taken many steps to streamline the process. By utilizing the newest technology, OLM serves as an effective tool that has configuration already built into it. BearingPoint provides a strategic plan to each client that demonstrates how OLM can deliver better results at a more cost-efficient price.

Tags: BearingPoint, Diane Jennings, Joe Franco, Oracle, Oracle Lease Management, OLM