According to Accenture managing partner Paul Loftus, companies aiming to accelerate their evolution should focus on five key IT activities:
Industrialization -- Leaders are more likely to utilize key performance metrics to align IT's work with the performance of the broader business.
Wartsila, a lifecycle power solutions provider, utilizes an ERP program that harmonizes processes and improves its ability to share information; the platform also enables better decision-making which improves internal efficiency and competitiveness.
Innovation -- Leading IT organizations are more likely to be early adopters of leading-edge technologies, adopting them in a disciplined manner and focused on what creates real value.
ThyssenKrupp Steel will use RFID technology for slab transportation and distribution logistics at its new steel mill, ensuring that slabs do not go astray during their global journeys.
Information -- Leaders manage and analyze information with strong analytic capabilities in a manner approaching real-time measurement.
Siemens created a customer-centric service process strategy and operating model that resulted in faster order routing and fulfillment, complete visibility throughout the supply chain and improved forecasting of equipment outages.
Infrastructure -- High-performance IT organizations drive Web enablement and achieve significantly higher online utilization levels.
Copper products manufacturer Wieland-Werke developed an eBusiness strategy that allows customers to view real-time copper prices and manage their orders. Because fluctuations in materials prices become increasingly important during periods of slow growth, the company's customers are especially enthusiastic about the capabilities of the eBusiness solution in times of economic downturn.
Integration -- High-performance IT operations champion enterprise integration and show strong interest in SOA's future potential.
Before electrical products and tools manufacturer Cooper Industries launched its Enterprise Business System (EBS) initiative, many business units operated on independent technology platforms with thousands of different computer applications. EBS is changing that to a single, flexible and responsive system that is already yielding substantial benefits and efficiencies in supply chain management, finance, sales and shared services.
