Comments on: IT chargeback rankles the ranks and IT

By: Btaskan

Btaskan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:26:31 +0000

Cost allocation can easily be an automated process completely done “lights out” when integrated as part of service delivery as done with tools like PINNACLE (see pinnsoft.com). Only when done as a disparate step can there be any argument against it. Cost accountability is required for compliance in the public sector (OMB) as well as in the private sector (SOX). Nevertheless, the benefits to do it are plentiful but everyone must first recognize that if there isn’t visibility into true costs and/or accountability, costs will go up without a doubt. When extending visibility into costs to end users or departments, many critical benefits are seen regularly. The first is everyone becomes an extra set of eyes and ears to identify optimization opportunities like underutilized resources. The second is IT goes from being viewed as an enabler vs an overhead department to the CFO meaning, they aren’t spending the money but rather departments are asking for services to do their jobs thus curbing under funding temptations. I strongly recommend future articles expand on these as well as reference industry experts for their input based on research and experience. One association worth learning about is ITFMA.org as well as an industry like Telecom Expense management (TEMIA). Signed, Bulent.taskan@windstream.com

By: Dkalemis

Dkalemis — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:50:10 +0000

Where does that leave IT? The answer is obvious: To implement, manage and maintain the self-service provisioning portals, of course. And to teach users how to use them effectively.

By: Majikx

Majikx — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:21:32 +0000

Having seen many chargeback systems or schemes I find that they are very good tools for the purposefor which they are usually obtained. That would be establishing a control gate blocking resources of”lesser” managers. Once these lesser mannagers accept the naturally superior position of the IT manager, a quick promotion to “C” status follows and the concommitent huge jump in pay and perks.

Read my book “DBA to Demigod” or the sequel “Bastard Operator from the Corner Office”

By: Yangp3

Yangp3 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:09 +0000

I find that charge backs are more often than not a means of justifying the value proposition that IT brings to the business. If the executive management team of a company already recognizes this instead of viewing IT as a cost center, there is no need for charge backs.