Accounting Management TechKNOWvatioN

The Accounting Management TechKNOWvatioN contains the processes and practices necessary for tracking system, network, software, and human resource costs in an off-line, trended basis for the purpose of identifying and managing costs.

• Cost Accounting TechKNOWvatioN Service

The Cost Accounting TechKNOWvatioN Service is the set of services that measures, tracks, and manages the costs of a technically complex environment. Where many of the other TechKNOWvatioN Services look at resource utilization and capacity planning from a performance perspective, cost accounting looks at this same information from a cost perspective in order to track costs on a user, group, business unit, or service basis.

• Cost/Benefit Analysis

The Cost/Benefit Analysis Element is the service that calculates the costs of a new system and the benefits that can be obtained by having the new system. Benefits are typically put in terms of cost saving, increased revenue, or as a return on investment analysis.

• Cost Tracking and Reporting

The Cost Tracking and Reporting Element is the service that allocates computing resource costs to the business units at a level of detail that is appropriate of the organization. Cost Tracking and Reporting can be used for the purposes of charging the user community for services used or to better understand the costs associated with the various services provided by the IT organization.

• Contract Management TechKNOWvatioN Service

The Contract Management TechKNOWvatioN Service is the set of services that monitors and controls the various contracts and agreements needed to manage and support a technically complex environment. Contract Management is concerned with managing hardware and software maintenance agreements, software license agreements, and professional services agreements.

• Hardware Maintenance Contracts

The Hardware Maintenance Contracts Element is the service that negotiates and monitors compliance with hardware maintenance contracts for a technically complex environment. Hardware Maintenance Contracts include server and desktop computers, networking equipment, and peripherals such as printers and tape drives.

• Software Maintenance Contracts

The Software Maintenance Contracts Element is the service that negotiates and monitors compliance with software maintenance contracts for a technically complex environment. Software Maintenance Contracts include standard desktop applications, operating system software, server applications, and utility software used by the organization.

• Professional Services Contracts

The Professional Services Contracts Element is the service that negotiates and monitors compliance with professional services contracts for a technically complex environment. Professional Services Contracts include outsourced functions such as the help desk or hardware support, as well as individual contractors and professional services suppliers.

• Purchasing TechKNOWvatioN Service

The Purchasing TechKNOWvatioN Service is the set of services that acquires equipment, software, services and supplies needed to manage a technically complex environment. Purchasing is concerned with obtaining quotes and bids and issuing the purchase orders.

• Request for Proposal Management

The Request for Proposal (RFP) Management Element is the service that manages the process of obtaining bids and quotes from vendors supplying products and services to the IT organization. The RFP Management Element is concerned with controlling how purchasing decision are made to ensure that the best and most cost effective solution are obtained.

• Hardware, Software, and Services Acquisition

The Hardware, Software, and Services Acquisition Element is the service that manages the process of obtaining equipment and services once a purchase has been authorized. This element handles the logistics of acquiring equipment, software, services, and supplies needed to support a technically complex environment.