A Practical Guide to Reducing IT Costs [Hardcover]

Anita Cassidy (Author), Dan Cassidy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1604270330 | ISBN-13: 978-1604270334 | Publication Date: January 5, 2010

Eliminating and driving down costs have long been second nature for many IT organizations. In challenging economic times, even further cutting of IT costs is a requirement for the survival of many organizations. Whether in the midst of an economic downturn or upturn, effective cost management is critical as IT costs can be a significant portion of an organizations overhead cost structure and can even impact an organizations competitive position. A Practical Guide to Reducing IT Costs provides a toolkit of innovative ideas to assess and decrease costs in an organization. It outlines a compilation of practical advice based on interviews and comments from more than 60 CIOs and IT leaders and it includes many other proven ideas that will successfully reduce IT costs.

Key Features

--Focuses specifically on IT costs rather than overall costs in an organization
--Discusses the realistic cost savings of current leading technology and IT trends, such as virtualization, cloud computing, software-as-a-service, and outsourcing
--Contains practical tools and valuable ideas and methods for intelligently reducing IT costs
--Includes quick reference bulleted suggestions at the end of each chapter
--WAV offers downloadable cost reduction checklists, roundtable discussion slides, a cost reduction project overview, a key points summary, and additional tools and templates available from the Web Added Value Download Resource Center at jrosspub.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

This guide is a thoroughly practical and very complete catalog of techniques for cutting the cost of information technology and for doing so in a planned way that does not damage the organization in the process. --Bob Lewis, President, IT Catalysts

Once again, the authors produce a timely and effective guide for the IT leader. No matter if your need for cost reduction comes from an economic downturn, a business challenge, or simply a proactive realignment of your IT spend, you will find a host of ideas, pitfalls, and tips. --Keith Guggenberger, Starkey Laboratories

An excellent resource to ensure that IT cost reduction is well thought out and deliberate. This is a great book for seasoned IT leaders as well as less experienced ones who need to proactively consider a long-term approach and philosophy to IT management. --Sara Braziller, former CIO, Jenny Craig, Inc.

About the Author

Anita Cassidy has over 30 years experience in information technology (IT). For the first 20 years of her career, she was a practitioner and held a variety of positions such as CIO and IT Vice President in worldwide manufacturing companies. She has been an IT executive consultant for the past 10 years and is currently a partner of IT Directions. Anita has authored four best-selling IT books, has written for various magazines, such as InfoWorld, Twin and Inc. Technology, and she speaks nationally on strategic planning and improving IT.

Dan Cassidy also has over 30 years of IT experience. His experience includes work at several major airlines, a railroad, computer manufacturer, and a major health clinic. He has led major initiatives to cut IT infrastructure costs while improving overall service. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Minnesota.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: J. Ross Publishing (January 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604270330
• ISBN-13: 978-1604270334
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anita is a nationally recognized industry leader in IT strategic planning. She is a senior-level Information Systems executive with over 30 years experience improving the value and performance of IT organizations. Anita has held the CIO and top IT positions in leading worldwide manufacturing companies and has provided strategic IT consulting to over 50 companies. She has a broad technical background, business experience, and is skilled in applying analytical techniques to solve business problems. Anita has a strong results and achievement orientation with a reputation for teamwork, open communication, passion, high energy, and innovation.

Anita is currently partner at ITDirections www.itdirections.com , which is an executive IT consulting organization providing companies with assistance to transform their organization, use technology for a competitive organization, and align with the business goals. Services include IT strategic planning, assessments, IT improvement & cost reduction, software selection, contract negotiation, and CIO leadership assistance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The timing of this book could not be more perfect - Excellent, January 8, 2010

By 

Paul Zyla - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Practical Guide to Reducing IT Costs (Hardcover)

I have always found Anita's books to be filled very useful subject matter especially with tools and processes that have guided me through various IT related initiatives. Anita and Dan have done it again. What I found especially helpful is how the book is laid out. It takes the reader through each area of IT and lays out cost reduction strategies in each of those areas. Anita's focus on obtaining real-life examples by interviewing IT leaders throughout the country has made this book very impactful. This book will allow you to put pencil to paper and layout cost reduction in all areas of IT. I know my IT organization will benefit greatly from the tools in this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A pragmatic guide that could benefit all IT leaders!, July 18, 2010

By 

Steve Rath - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Practical Guide to Reducing IT Costs (Hardcover)

As an IT Infrastructure Director in a Fortune 100 company, I found the time spent reading this book well worth it. The practical, easy to read format makes it a quick read. Even though I've worked in this field for 20 years, I gained some valuable tips on how to continue to reduce costs. It also is a good reference book as it is indexed very well; I've referred to it many times. Specifically, it is a good reference during the budget season. I believe this pragmatic guide could benefit all IT leaders!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Guide to Reducing IT Costs, April 25, 2010

By 

Peter Young - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Practical Guide to Reducing IT Costs (Hardcover)

An excellent resource for IT Executives looking for different approaches to cutting costs intelligently! Successful ideas from IT Executives are sprinkled throughout the book, which enhance and validate the cost cutting strategies, tools, techniques that Anita Cassidy delivers in the book.