Archived Newsletter Editorial
Some thoughts on application consolidation

April 1, 2009

Pressure from senior management is mounting on IT to lower system costs and improve return on software investment. Meanwhile, software vendors are promising additional functionality that they claim will allow new departments to work under a single comprehensive enterprise system, a prospect that is tempting to both IT and senior management. The promises however are in many cases still premature with only superficial functionality, just deep enough to convince IT or senior management who can't possibly understand every detailed need, but lacking in key areas that can have a devastating impact on productivity and compliance on individual departments if implemented.

Some compromise is often justifiable, but the challenge is determining where application consolidation (using one system across multiple departments and uses) makes sense, and when the risks and actual costs outweigh the gains. The key is developing a cross-departmental team to evaluate the benefits and compromises involved in application consolidation. Make sure everyone understands how each department is using software today and the role software can play in future productivity improvements and satisfying future growth predictions. Without this cross-functional team, the group with the most clout will dictate to the rest, leading almost invariably to an implementation that fails to meet lofty ROI expectations.

With Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager, we believe we're offering a compelling alternative to other application consolidation options. The software is designed on the premise that calibration, maintenance and validation are core functions, areas where compromise is most dangerous as they directly affect product quality and compliance. We've brought these disciplines together in a single application in such a way that no group need compromise on their productivity or compliance to share the application. The proof of that assertion lies in the fact that we have customers using it just for calibration and just for maintenance, standing on its on merits in each area.

Beyond these core areas, we also offer flexibility throughout the application that allows companies to expand its use into other areas. For exploring core and supplementary uses for the software, I'd encourage a site assessment. Whether you are planning for a future budget cycle or starting a project already, the site assessment will provide a valuable foundation for decision making and goal setting.

One of our project managers will come to your site, meet with the different departments (essentially facilitating your cross-functional team) and develop recommendations with you, based on our expertise with the software and working with other customers, on where it makes sense to consolidate applications and where it is better to stick with separate systems. And for areas where a separate best-in-class application is still required, we can help you evaluate the benefits of using our tools and expertise to help you integrate Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager with other enterprise applications.

Bottom line: If you're working in the trenches with a stand-alone application, being pro-active with your own ideas for how to consolidate may be your best bet for avoiding being "steam-rolled" by a application consolidation effort that doesn't include you. We'll help you any way we can.

Bryce Johannes
Director of Marketing
Blue Mountain Quality Resources, Inc.