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Welcome to B & M Bulletin, produced specifically for users of contract IT services. In this issue:
• Turnkey projects - a way forward
• Tech View: why run Linux on zSeries frames?
• 10 aspects considered in specialist assessment
• Real Skills. Real People - B & M's Cathy Smart
• Finding out more
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The benefits of Turnkey IT service provision
Jerry Smart explains how having a managed services agreement in place offers flexibility - as well as peace of mind
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With B & M what you see is what you get
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Increasingly, customers are looking to source the teams of technical specialists that they need through a managed service or turnkey arrangement, typically on a project-by-project basis. These services have traditionally been offered by hardware or software vendors but many customers are now finding that other specialist organisations can provide a more flexible alternative - often at a more competitive price.
Turnkey support passes resourcing responsibilities to a single specialist supplier with in-depth expertise in specific technical areas. Specialist organisations can offer an end-to-end solution, from initial resource specification, through resource qualification and deployment and into resource management including budgeting and reporting. The work is established either through the procurement function or directly with the IT division via a specific form of agreement. This approach ensures that the work is delivered within agreed timescales, while the project work is managed by the IT manager in the usual way.
A key benefit to customers of using a turnkey approach is that the project can be structured not to impact on internal headcount. This may be important both where there is a freeze on staffing levels and where business results are measured on contribution.
To investigate this further, please contact sales@bmeurope.com
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Tech View: why run Linux on zSeries frames?
Paul Smith, Technical Manager at B & M looks at some of the ways that large organisations are reaping benefits from combining Linux and z/OS
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Gartner's Hype Cycle Special Report 2005 cited Linux on zSeries as arguably the leading driver of the adoption of Linux among businesses and public sector organisations, giving it a highly significant degree of credibility. The ability to run Linux native on zSeries boxes has given many companies access to highly fault-tolerant hardware, given IBM's estimate that zSeries has a mean time between failures of around 30 years.
z/VM, which is also seeing something of a rise in popularity, allows the Linux kernel to work better in terms of sharing resources and provides a highly cost effective solution for server consolidation. Typically, UNIX based DNS, firewalls, application and web servers use between 3 and 15 per cent CPU. So, for example, pulling all four functions into a single LPAR running z/VM, together with an Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) can give a highly optimised solution in terms of both hardware and cost savings.
In z/OS a new feature entitled zAAP (zSeries Application Assist Processor) is available as a microcode upgrade, enabling businesses to have designated Java engines on zSeries.
Although early uptake of Linux was cautious, more and more companies are now consolidating on zSeries. For example, the First National Bank of Nebraska is putting around 560 Windows and UNIX servers down to 70 Linux images running on a single IBM mainframe saving an estimated $10m over five years (Source: BusinessWeek Online).
It seems highly likely therefore that the future of the zSeries will see it supporting 'hybrid' centres with z/VM running Linux web-based services and hypersocket links to established z/OS security and backend databases.
To find out about Linux support, please contact us at sales@bmeurope.com
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10 things to consider in specialist assessment
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For organisations considering taking on contract staff there are certain types of knowledge or attributes that are essential - but it is often the less obvious aspects to a specialist that can make the difference between the placement being just okay or excellent. It is wise to ensure that candidates have been assessed for more than just their technical skills before you accept them for interview. We have listed just ten factors to consider below:
- Interpersonal qualities - we look at how specialists relate to others and assess whether they can make a strong early impression.
- Technical aptitude - many people have experience in certain technologies, but those with the aptitude to pick up new skills quickly make the best contractors.
- Technical expertise - we find out how specialists have applied their knowledge over time and what expertise they have developed as a result.
- Initiative and team dynamics - candidates need to provide evidence of how they work as part of a team and to prove that they can work on their own initiative as required.
- Length of experience - technologies may change, but the ability to understand the application of technology to support business goals can only develop over many years.
- Breadth and depth of skill sets - no matter what their level of expertise in a specific technology, we always look for a range of supporting skills and experience which will enable a specialist to add value to any project.
- Rate expectations - we aim to discover what contractors need in terms of day rates as part of our commitment to ensuring best value for the customer.
- Social circumstances - before interview, suppliers should establish whether family ties may conflict with a candidate's desire to undertake an interesting assignment away from home. By investigating this, any issues can be brought out into the open prior to any commitment rather than discover them later on.
- Geographical preferences - a specialist may be willing to work a long way from where they live, but they are likely to choose something nearer to home if it comes along.
- Personal circumstances and exact availability - holiday plans, sporting commitments, weekend arrangements etc. need to be checked out in advance to ensure that they will not impede a planned start date or delivery of service.
For a better understanding, contact sales@bmeurope.com
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Real Skills. Real People - B & M's Cathy Smart
In this issue, we profile B & M's Financial Controller Cathy Smart
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B & M's Financial Controller, Cathy Smart has spent more than 30 years working in IT. She started work as a programmer with Marconi and progressed as a systems analyst and project manager with Unisys, working with customers as diverse as Walt Disney, the South West Exams Board and the Law Society. In 1986 she and three colleagues established a software company in Henley-on-Thames specialising in some of the first touch-screen applications, notably for the NatWest Online Share Dealing system, starting with the sale of British Gas shares. It was here that, as well as project management, she was responsible for the financial area of the business acting as Financial Director.
In 1991, after project managing five public share sales, Cathy decided to try something which didn't involve computers and took a two-year Garden Design course at Pershore College, buying her drawing board from a garden designer who had decided to try computing! Since then she has built up a local clientele, most of whom she now considers friends.
Cathy joined B & M in 1993 with a view to installing an accounts package and training a member of staff to run it. She's still here - overseeing the accounting functions as well as being involved in the specification of in-house computer systems.
Cathy maintains her interest in Garden Design and has installed a CAD package to streamline the drawing function, her first outing with CAD being to design the courtyard at B & M's offices. Away from the PC and the drawing board, Cathy has been engraving glass since 1988, taking part in local and national exhibitions by the Guild of Glass Engravers.
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Looking for food for thought when planning new IT projects in 2006? B & M has provided the resource for many technical projects in a wide variety of environments and business sectors. You can find overviews of the type of work we have carried out at Case Scenarios.
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B & M has specialised in delivering skilled ICT specialists to meet the needs of leading organisations throughout Europe since 1992. We focus exclusively on providing consultancy, technical services and support for z/OS, UNIX and Linux enterprise systems, including third-party systems software, open systems and networking connectivity. We add real value for HR and IT professionals by taking the time to understand their needs and applying best practice methods to deliver results. To find out more about our approach to providing the best skills for each business, go to www.bmeurope.com B & M Europe Limited
www.bmeurope.com
+44 (0)118 981 1880
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