4DFIX Concepts - Insuring the right fit between computing technology and business requirements


	4DFIX -Information Technology for Business	108 Stow Rd.
		Harvard, MA 01451
		978 549 2422

Concepts - Matching Technology to Business

4DFIX offers simple yet effective computing solutions that address the typical IT needs of small and medium businesses. The 4DFIX approach is based on "less is more". A business should be able to rely on its computing assets as useful tools that enable and support its growth. It should not be burdened with complex, expensive, overkill technology that's geared towards "possible" future needs. The technology should fit the business. The business should not have to adapt to the technology unless there is a clear, well defined short term value to the business.

4DFIX services and products are geared towards those immediate and predictable short term business requirements. A strategy of focusing on current needs, defining a short term growth plan, periodically updating the plan, and iteratively executing it will be more efficient, more productive and more relevant to the business. 4DFIX implements this approach with services and products that address:

Requirements Discovery	► Gather, document, analyze the business needs, processes
Component Solutions	► PC's, PDA's, Printers, Servers
Packaged Solutions	► Preconfigured hardware, software, networking packages
Business Process Improvement	► New process definition, planning and implementation
IT Management and Support	► IT installation, operations, maintenance services
IT Road Mapping	► Performance, capacity and growth planning services
Special Tasks, Activities	► Project management services

Basis of the Approach
The 4DFIX approach is based on iteratively delivering the IT fix that's the "right fit" to your current business computing need while supporting growth with an evolving IT roadmap. Key concepts in this approach are:

"Right fit" means that a cost efficient but complete fix is delivered.
"Supporting growth" means that additional capacity and function is provided but in a limited, manageable manner. Overkill technology is often complex, costly, and may never be used.
"Iteratively" means that deliberate, bounded and manageable steps are the most efficient way to manage change, especially when introducing new computing infrastructure. Small steps that provide partial capability allow easy adaptation by the business process and people. Further it's likely that immediate benefits of increased productivity can be realized.
"Evolving IT roadmap" means that the best IT solution is one that evolves over time in synchronization with business growth. Business plans are dynamic and must react to a changing market landscape. The supporting IT infrastructure must similarly be dynamic and be able to adjust in concert with the business. An IT roadmap based on periodic review and revision (if necessary) is the key.

Applying 4DFIX Services and Products to Business
Significant business growth or improvement typically requires significant change to IT assets and business processes. 4DFIX can provide the consulting and support to help effect that change with a portfolio of "Service Objectives".

A summary of 4DFIX "Service Objectives"

Objective	Definition
Baseline	Define and document the current business/IT context as a baseline.
Requirements	Define, document, and analyze new business requirements
Failure Analysis	Define, document, and analyze current failure scenarios of systems, processes
Change Plan	Design solution(s) and implementation plan(s) based on bounded, manageable, iterative change steps. Solution(s) may be a sequence of hardware, software, and/or process capabilities designed for staged deployment
Develop	Develop and package the solution components consistent with the staging plan.
Deploy	Implement the next change step with deployment of the components and execution of new business operations.
Monitor	Monitor for success, gather new data relevant to the new business/IT context.
Iterate	Once the new business/IT context has stabilized, repeat the process starting with "Baseline". (updating context, requirements, solution plan, etc based on new data)

These "service objectives" derive from the fundamentals of solving complex systems, operations or organizational problems and are applicable (in varying degrees) to a variety of business scenarios and/or IT capability.

Sample Business/Technology Integration Scenarios

The specific solution will, of course, vary depending on business size and the desired IT change. For example, a new business needing basic office computing may choose an initial solution of a few networked desktops, shared printer, shared Internet access, and periodic backup services. This scenario would likely require a very basic/limited application of service objectives.

Business Scenario	Possible Solution
A new or existing business requiring initial computing capability	● gather, document, analyze basic computing needs, processes ● configure/install required office computing ● define, design, develop, deploy a basic business web site ● monthly backup service ● reassess in 3-6 months

As another example, a larger business needing expanded IT capability, could benefit from a more comprehensive 4DFIX solution requiring a more extensive application of service objectives.

Business Scenario	Possible Solution
A business with an established IT infrastructure requiring additional computing capacity and/or performance	● derive current business/IT baseline processes ● gather, document, analyze new or updated requirements ● system/process failure mode analysis ● configure/install new IT systems and process capability ● develop or update iterative IT roadmap for future ● monitor new business process/IT context ● revise roadmap, repeat for next iterative step

Other scenarios require similar solution approaches:

Business Scenario	Possible Solution
A business with an established IT infrastructure but a miss-match with business needs	● derive current business/IT baseline ● gather, analyze new requirements ● system/process failure mode analysis ● design, configure, install new IT and process capability ● design iterative IT roadmap for future ● monitor new business process/IT context ● revise roadmap, repeat for next iterative step
A business with solid IT, well matched to current business needs, but inefficient in operations/processes.	● derive current business process/IT baseline ● failure mode analysis of processes ● implement new and/or revise current processes ● monitor new business process/IT context ● repeat process analysis/fix as needed

In most cases, however, the bottom line deliverable remains a controlled evolution of the IT environment with continued synchronization to the business plan.

White Papers

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Connecting with 4DFIX
Phone	Call 4DFIX for an initial requirements review - 978 549 2422
Form	Fill out a quick form at feedback for general questions or at info request for specific needs
Email	Send email - to info@4dfix.com for general information requests or to support@4dfix.com for support

Basis of the Approach The 4DFIX approach is based on iteratively delivering the IT fix that's the "right fit" to your current business computing need while supporting growth with an evolving IT roadmap. Key concepts in this approach are:

◊ 4DFIX, 108 Stow Rd., Harvard, MA. 01451 ◊ 978 549 2422 ◊ sales@4dfix.com ◊

Basis of the Approach
The 4DFIX approach is based on iteratively delivering the IT fix that's the "right fit" to your current business computing need while supporting growth with an evolving IT roadmap. Key concepts in this approach are: