Comdisco Unveils Web-Enabled Solutions That Enable CIOs and CFOs To Better Manage I.T. Spending and Major I.T. Initiatives - IT CAP Solutions - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Sept 27, 1999

Comdisco Inc., a leading provider of technology management services, has introduced a suite of Web-enabled IT CAP (Information Technology Control and Predictability) Solutions designed to help CIOs and CFOs better plan, manage and accomplish their IT initiatives through increased control and predictability of their IT spending and infrastructure.

Expanding on an approach initially pioneered by Comdisco's European operations, the company is targeting medium-sized to large companies with 1,500-plus computer users. IT CAP Solutions serve as a unique global solution for capturing enterprise-wide IT spending and benefits data, which can then be transformed into knowledge that enables management to make more informed spending decisions. By implementing this solution, companies can ensure that they have the right technology at the right time, place and investment level to support critical business initiatives, such as e-business or an ERP rollout.

"We are committed to helping our customers optimize technology spending and impact on business objectives," says Thomas Flohr, president of IT CAP Solutions and global services sales. "IT CAP Solutions is another market-leading approach from Comdisco, continuing our heritage of innovation. Delivering e-business to our customers, Comdisco IT CAP Solutions are already experiencing major success in Europe with multi-national clients, which has resulted in a backlog of approximately $1 billion. We're now delivering an enhanced, web-based version to the U.S. and other markets."

The Comdisco-hosted IT CAP Solution aggregates and tracks a customer's IT spending and can compare against industry standards. It includes new, simple web-based processes that replace intensive paper-based operational interactions with vendors. The solution also tracks IT spending, including assets, applications, and services. Through an easy-to-read and easy-to-manipulate database and decision support system that Comdisco manages, CIOs and CFOs can access all pertinent data and analysis in one place via the Internet.

"There is clearly a market need for this type of strategic knowledge," said Steve Clancy, a principal analyst, Dataquest IT SERVICES. "It used to be good enough to simply gather asset data. Now, IT executives need to turn asset, spending and infrastructure data into actionable, business infrastructure knowledge, which is what helps drive actions that deliver business benefits and ultimately higher earnings per share value. That's the business yardstick that CIOs will be measured against in the future."

The solution is comprised of six main components:

* Executive Decision Service provides accurate, relevant and enriched spending and benefits information that IT executives can leverage when making strategic business decisions.

* Market Insight Service is a web-enabled solution designed to provide a more in-depth look at market IT spending, technology directions and management strategies. It also delivers customized IT portfolio analysis, matching it with market data, and delivers customized recommendations for improved management of major projects.

* Acquisition Management Service, supported by Comdisco's web-based technology, streamlines customer/vendor processes and provides fast and easy procurement to customer's end users. This e-business solution replaces cumbersome, paper-based processes and drives simplified procurement of IT assets, including hardware, software and services.

* IT Expenditures Tracking Service aggregates a customer's spending in one database, enabling reporting that will show total cost per seat of their IT expenditure. For example, assets are tracked throughout their lifecycles, beginning with procurement, receiving, and installation processes and continuing through moves, adds, changes, and finally disposal. This data helps fuel the Executive Decision Service.

* Billing Consolidation and Chargeback Service offers a single point of contact that consolidates all billing to manage internal cost tracking and to tie costs back to individual locations, divisions, projects, etc.

* Financial Management Service provides flexible financial options for all IT spending, helping customers move from an ad hoc acquisition process to a strategic method that smoothes their IT expenditures over time by making them more predictable.

The IT CAP Solutions is available now, and is a major component of Comdisco's strategy to accelerate its introduction of technology services and to build the company's leadership position in this fast-growing market. Visit the IT CAP Solutions web site at www.comdisco.com/products/ITCAP.> Comdisco (www.comdisco.com) provides global technology management services to help its customers maximize technology functionality, predictability and availability, while freeing them from the complexity of managing their technology. The Rosemont, (IL) company offers a complete suite of information technology services including continuity, managed network services, and IT control and predictability solutions. Through its subsidiary, Prism Communication Services Inc., Comdisco is developing a high-speed, always-on digital network, which will provide customers with leading-edge connectivity. Comdisco also offers equipment acquisition services through its electronics, communications, medical, lab & scientific, and computer-integrated manufacturing businesses, and through its ventures group. The company's revenue for the 12 months ended June 30, 1999, was $4.1 billion.