Category: Blog

What Technology Challenges Do Mergers and Acquisitions Face?

In our previous article about the technology challenges of mergers and acquisitions (M&As), we spoke about the importance of M&As as the primary drivers of inorganic growth for many companies around the world. There is power behind merging or acquiring another entity for the purpose of creating or expanding new lines of service and/or products when necessary or entering new geographical markets as desired. But often times, technology is an overlooked part of the process. So how can you keep technology in mind each step of the way? What should you be doing to ensure a smooth process before and during the M&A rather than after the fact?

An Ad-Hoc Approach to Technology Can Quickly Leave an Acquisition Feeling Less Valuable and More Hectic… But the Opposite is Also True.

An ad-hoc approach to technology can quickly leave an acquisition feeling less valuable and more hectic, but fortunately, the opposite is also true. If you have a streamlined, flexible approach to your information technology wherein all decisions are made and thought-out ahead of time, an acquisition can feel incredibly valuable and secure. So what should you be doing to ensure a smooth process before and during the M&A? Here’s a few tips:

1. Adopt a flexible environment before any deals go through
   If you have a more flexible and adaptive environment that provides a platform for a range of business applications, you’re able to quickly and efficiently integrate the acquired company into your environment. This means you should have standardization across the board – meaning one accounting system, operating system, etc. rather than multiple options is best.
2. Make sure you’re able to accomodate any new data gained
   During an M&A, you’re likely to gain new data – and in some cases – you may gain a massive amount that needs to be stored. Take a look at your existing amount of storage available to you. If you’re with a cloud provider for data storage, talk to them about increasing your limit to ensure you’re able to adapt.
3. Sit down with your technology partner to discuss changes
   Your management team should sit down with your technology partner, alongside a representative from the acquired company, to discuss what systems, databases, and applications will be kept and what will be transferred to the existing environment. The end goal is an integrated infrastructure that enables each department to thrive.

Should You Perform an Assessment of Your Information Technology Infrastructure Beforehand?

Your technology partner should have thorough documentation on the state of your information technology infrastructure. If they don’t or you’re not working with a technology partner, it’s important to assess the state of your information technology infrastructure, including:

• Applications
• Hardware
• Software
• Networking design and equipment
• Third-party supplier contracts
• And more

You will need to develop a migration plan that meets the requirements of both entities while ensuring there is no outdated, antiquated equipment involved.

How Does Elevate Services Group Help You Create Synergies in People, Processes, and Technologies?

Following an M&A, Elevate Services Group is here to help assist both entities in the following areas:

• Creating a short and long-term plan to outline priorities in terms of activities and/or upgrades necessary to ensure systems, databases, and applications are aligned with one another for a cohesive environment.
• Assisting with informing customers of both entities on the occurrence and impact of the merger and/or acquisition via a press release, email or some other form of communication.
• Implementing new policies and procedures to enforce a strict information and/or data privacy program that keeps both entities safe against threats to confidentiality and/or compliance.

The Technology Challenges of Mergers and Acquisitions Can Be Difficult, But Elevate Services Group Is Well-Versed and Ready to Help. Let’s Talk. Call (720) 340-3849.

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The Technology Challenges of Mergers and Acquisitions

 

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are the primary drivers of inorganic growth for many companies around the world – enabling them to create or expand new lines of service and/or products when necessary or enter new geographical markets as desired. For most companies, the decision to merge or acquire is the easy part… What comes next becomes quite difficult, especially in terms of technology. Although something as simple as acquiring a smaller company can deliver greater flexibility and faster time to market, they’re often riddled with less organized, well-planned technology that’s not secure or efficient.

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What Are the Technology Challenges of Mergers and Acquisitions?

 

During an M&A of any sort, it’s crucial to integrate systems, databases, and applications fast – allowing the companies to run in synchronization without any sort of misaligned processes and procedures. The following technology challenges are quite common when it comes to mergers and acquisitions:

 

1. A lack of integration

 

Typically, the acquired and the acquiring company come in with their own financial systems, partners, applications, etc. – making it difficult to integrate together in terms of technology. This often slow down operational processes – from ERP to sales to HR and everything in between. It’s critical to synchronize and standardize as soon as possible.

 

2. A lack of visibility

 

If the acquired and the acquiring company are operating in a similar industry, they may have duplicate customer information, but a lack of visibility can create difficulties in terms of sales and business development. It’s helpful to obtain an updated, single point of view into the customer data via a data integration system that combines and organizes everything.

 

3. A lack of compliance

 

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that both the acquired and the acquiring company have the same levels of compliance in terms of policies, documentation, and other factors. If the acquiring company is larger and more heavily regulated, they may need to get the acquired company up-to-speed quickly to prevent non-compliance.

 

4. A lack of security

 

Similar to a lack of compliance, a lack of security with the acquired company can be nerve-racking. If they don’t have any sort of security solutions, processes, and policies in place, the acquiring company may need to assist with integrating new employees and/or planning to create a multi-layered approach to protect against hackers.

 

How Does Elevate Services Group Help You Create Synergies in People, Processes, and Technologies?

 

Following an M&A, Elevate Services Group is able to assist companies in handling the technology challenges they face. We’ve worked with many companies during and after the change to:

 

• Create a short and long-term plan to outline priorities in terms of activities and/or upgrades necessary to ensure systems, databases, and applications are aligned with one another for a cohesive environment.
• Assist with informing customers of both entities on the occurrence and impact of the merger and/or acquisition via a press release, email or some other form of communication.
• Implement new policies and procedures to enforce a strict information and/or data privacy program that keeps both entities safe against threats to confidentiality and/or compliance.

 

The Technology Challenges of Mergers and Acquisitions Can Be Difficult, But Elevate Services Group Is Well-Versed and Ready to Help.

 

 

IT Companies In Denver Need To Protect Professional Associations

 

The latest EY Global Information Security Survey is out, and it doesn’t look good.

 

In surveying close to 1,200 C-level leaders of organizations based all around the world, findings show that cybercrime is becoming more threatening, while cybersecurity standards are falling:

 

• 56% of organizations surveyed are concerned about the increasing impact of cyber threats on their strategies and plans
• 87% say they require up to 50% more funding to address increased cyber threats
• Only 12% say they are likely to detect a sophisticated cyber attack

 

It is for these reasons that cybersecurity should be a primary concern for IT companies in Denver and their clients. Is that the case for you?

 

IT Companies In Denver Need Clients That Budget More For Cybersecurity

 

The survey also found that, in order to protect organizations properly, there need to be more funds devoted to cybersecurity:

 

• 90% of respondents saying they expect higher budgets this year
• 87% say that they require up to 50% more funding
• Only 12% expect to receive an increase of more than 25% this year

 

Are you investing enough in your cybersecurity? Given how important it is in protecting your members’ private data, it’s something you can’t ignore.

 

IT Companies In Denver And Their Clients Need Cybersecurity Strategy

 

In today’s competitive environment, businesses must rely on technology in order to compete and survive in the marketplace – all of which must be secure.

 

There are a number of reasons why IT security should be top of mind for IT companies in Denver and their clients going into 2020:

 

• Advancing cyber threats: Techniques employed by cybercriminals are improving and your security strategies need to meet that challenge
• Compliance: Industries are starting to adopt security standards such as NIST 800-171 which require a considerable investment to maintain
• Insurance Costs: Cyber insurance is becoming standard in many businesses. Most insurers have a lengthy qualification form that evaluates your security posture. Your premium (or even eligibility) may depend on how well you are protected.

 

With IT shifting from just another piece of equipment in the office to the core of operations and a key aspect of how you defend your business, you should designate it as a central part of your budget.

 

This also means that you must assess and clearly define how IT aligns with your business objectives to decide what you’ll need for the coming year. Proper IT budgeting will help you lay a foundation for success for the future.

 

The right IT company will manage your cybersecurity, simple as that. They can put their big business cybersecurity expertise to work for you, implementing best practices, identifying vulnerabilities, and protecting you against the more common and dangerous cybercrime scams.

IT companies in Denver should be helping their clients achieve this – is yours?

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Microsoft Recommends SD-WAN For Optimal Office 365 Performance

Microsoft urges the use of SD-WAN for improved network connectivity. Learn how to optimize your connections for better business productivity with cloud-based apps.

Efficiency is important for your business success. Driving efficiency is essential in all aspects of your operation.

That’s one of the drivers behind Microsoft’s recent recommendation that businesses use SD-WAN for their company networks when using the popular Office 365 software.

What Is SD-WAN?

Traditional wide-area networks (WANs) rely on company-owned data centers. Backhauling the data to a central hub slows down the flow of information and can disrupt productivity, especially when using cloud-based applications like Office 365.

WAN architecture relies on routers; the structure can impair the user experience, which is particularly at issue when many users are accessing Office 365 from remote locations.

SD-WAN (“software-defined”) uses virtual architecture, which is better able to meet the bandwidth demands necessary for branch and remote users.

“SD-WAN continues rapid movement as a mainstream technology,” notes a recent Gartner report on enterprise networking. “The main purpose of emerging SD-WAN products is to create a simpler and more cost-effective branch office WANs that map to modern application and cloud architectures. These products are significantly faster, easier to deploy and more manageable than traditional, router-based solutions.”

What Are the Benefits of SD-WAN Connectivity?

SD-WAN connectivity has several benefits for your business, including:

• More Options. SD-WAN is an overlay connectivity option that uses 4G, LTE, MPLS or broadband internet capabilities
• Management Simplicity. SD-WAN structures are software controlled, making it easier to add features and functions centrally. There’s less need for edge appliances or to source and buy MPLS providers across the world
• Better Performance. SD-WANs allow for more consistent response times from applications. When delivered over a private network, an SD-WAN can avoid performance issues that are typical with SD-WANs that use Internet transport technology
• Built for Cloud. SD-WAN solutions are built for cloud performance, providing direct access to cloud and software-as-a-service applications
• Faster Expansion. Business changes quickly today. With SD-WAN, you can bring new locations online in days, not weeks or months
• Security Built-In. With some SD-WAN solutions, end-to-end encryption is factored in, allowing for better security and, in many cases, compliance with regulatory mandates
• Less Infrastructure. SD-WAN eliminates infrastructure costs, allowing you to save on the costs of space, storage and utilities. You’ll need less hardware to purchase and maintain, too

What Does Microsoft Recommend for Office 365 Connectivity?

Microsoft recently released its Office 365 Network Connectivity Principles, which are designed to improve performance and security for organizations using the popular business productivity suite. As a cloud-based product, Office 365 provides remote access to applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

The problem, as Microsoft notes in the release, is in traditional network configuration, which gives users access to data and applications hosted in company data centers. “The traditional model assumes that users will access applications and data from inside the corporate network perimeter, over WAN links from branch offices, or remotely over VPN connections,” Microsoft notes.

Applications like Office 365 move some services and data outside of the internal network. Unless traffic is optimizing, latency comes to bear due to issues such as network hairpins, packet inspection and connections to endpoints that are geographically distant.

Microsoft recognizes that many organizations with complex network architectures may not be able to make all the requisite infrastructure changes at once. Incremental network optimization may include migration from traditional WAN routers to virtual appliances, a similar process to the virtualization of computer resources via virtual machines.

Where Can We Get Network Expertise for Our Business?

Elevate Services Group helps businesses with a unique, strategic approach to business IT. Our strategic approach begins with our proprietary DART (Discovery, Analysis, Roadmap and Timeline) onboarding process, leading to solutions that are designed to address your greatest business needs. From network configuration to cloud-based apps like Microsoft Office 365 to cybersecurity, Elevate helps transform your business productivity and outcomes. Contact us today to learn more.

What to Look for in an IT Company in Denver

Learn what to look for in a Denver-based IT company in order to choose the one that is best able to meet your current and future needs.  

There are plenty of IT companies in the Denver area; however, it can be challenging to know which exact one is the best fit for your business. The following are some tips that can help you find an IT service that meets all your business needs.

Know the Priorities

Some IT products and services are more important than others. The three most important features to look for when choosing an IT MSP are:

• An initial IT assessment of your company’s IT network, hardware, and software. An assessment shows that your IT MSP is serious about understanding your business and meeting your exact needs.
• Expert cybersecurity services to keep your company safe from attacks. Ideally, the company should not only offer a high level of protection but also provide cybersecurity training for your employees.
• Ongoing network monitoring and support. Ongoing monitoring will enable the company’s IT technicians to address problems that could cause downtime or a security breach. Full-time support helps your company get back on its feet quickly when problems inevitably arise.

Industry Specialization

Does the Denver IT company you are considering specialize in your particular industry? Does the company understand compliance requirements and the local, state, and federal laws governing your type of business?

Knowledgeable IT experts who are only familiar with IT matters can only take your business so far. You need IT experts who also know the ins and outs of your industry. IT technicians who know their business and yours will be able to optimize your IT set-up to enable you to save time, manpower, and money while boosting your business revenue.

Locally-Sourced Products and Services

Denver-based businesses should always choose an IT managed service provider that is based in the Denver area. IT offices based outside of Denver may not be able to offer immediate, in-person assistance if you have an IT breakdown, breach, or downtime. A local company, on the other hand, will have the tools and manpower needed to provide timely assistance as and when problems arise.

Introducing Elevate Services Group

Elevate Services Group is a leading IT company in the Denver area. The company offers cutting edge technology and services to local businesses, including:

• A comprehensive initial IT assessment that includes a detailed plan for improving all aspects of your company’s IT set-up
• A cybersecurity audit that addresses and deals with IT vulnerabilities to prevent breaches
• 24/7 IT support and assistance
• Scalable cloud storage solutions
• IT optimization that makes it possible for you to use technology to its fullest potential

Are you looking for a Denver-based IT firm that can meet both your current and future needs? If so, get in touch with us to learn more about our products and services or to make an appointment with our team of IT experts.