• Clients
• Track Record
• IT Strategy and Roadmap Development
• IT Operations Review
• M&A Integration Strategy and Planning
• Systems Selection and Procurement
• Project Implementation Support
• Interim IT Management
• Programme and Project Management
• IT Recruitment & Support

The Requirement
A merger or integration throws up many complex challenges, of which one is how to manage the IT aspects of the integration. 

Risk management is an over-riding theme but alongside this there are many complex IT issues to be tackled which are often exacerbated by HR issues and a lack of experience of managing such projects. Strong management combined with strict planning and delivery practices are crucial to ensuring a successful outcome, as is defining and agreeing the critical success factors at the outset.

Service Description
Our M&A Strategy and Planning service focuses exclusively on the specific IT challenges of M&A’s. Our service includes clearly defined and proven processes and frameworks for helping you plan and deliver a complex integration;

Approach
Starting with the critical planning stage we engage our board level IT experts to help you better understand the hugely complex task of delivering an IT integration programme (be it a standard acquisition/merger or a buy and build).This includes understanding:

• the business strategy
• the role IT plays within this
• how the new acquisition and IT systems will fit into the new landscape.

We then assess the IT operations of each company and seek to determine the appropriate target IT platform (comprising systems, infrastructure and human resources) for the merged company. We consider the pros and cons of each possible scenario and then prepare a high level IT Integration Strategy that defines the target IT platform and how that target IT platform will be achieved and thereafter supported. During this stage we also focus on service continuity and potential cost efficiencies to be gained from integrating the IT systems and teams.

Deliverables
The principle deliverable is the IT integration strategy and plan which will include all identifiable risks, full cost projections and identified areas for cost efficiency.

Benefits
Reduced risk and costs associated with poorly planned integrations.  Less disruption to the business as expert advisors guide you through the challenges.