In a previous post, Bridging the gap between IT suppliers and clients, we identified the need for technology suppliers to do more than simply recite jargon and provide detailed specifications. Clients are looking for an approach that builds their confidence that suppliers both understand their business and take account of the key risk factors in delivering ROI (Return On Investment). Martin King-Turner, MD of the National B2B Centre outlines an approach to technology development and investment that suppliers could… Read more »
Category: IT
Bridging the gap between IT suppliers and clients
The National B2B Centre is an independent provider of IT consultancy and training services. That puts us slap bang in the middle of an on-going divide between IT suppliers and their clients. This is a divide characterised by debates over costs, deadlines and deliverables. In this article by Martin King-Turner, MD of the B2B Centre, we look at some of the concerns that clients and end-users flag up about their dealings with suppliers. Introduction The B2B Centre has had a… Read more »
Consumerisation of Technology
Consumerisation of technology is a concept that is taxing the minds of IT Directors and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) of very large companies. If you haven’t heard of it before, relax, but read on because it has almost certainly had an impact on you as an individual and will affect your business too. Martin King-Turner, Director of the National B2B Centre explains what consumerism is all about and why you should be thinking about it. What is Consumerisation of Technology?… Read more »
ERP: What are the problems areas?
The B2B Centre has been involved in helping clients choose and manage the implementation of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems for some time. We have also found ourselves sorting out problems with ERP both at the implementation phase and when systems up and running. Martin King-Turner, Director at the National B2B Centre, takes a look at some of the issues that he has encountered and provides some suggestion to help you avoid them. Introduction It is worth saying upfront that bringing ERP into your… Read more »
Getting the most out of your IT budget
“Doing more with less” seems to be the order of the day at the moment. It seemed highly appropriate, therefore, that the National B2B Centre should highlight some ways to squeeze a little more out of your IT budget. Martin King-Turner, MD of the B2B Centre, highlights some straightforward approaches to making best use of your money. Introduction For many small and medium sized businesses IT can represent a significant but somewhat hidden cost. Your hardware and software, and the… Read more »
5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs CRM
Despite lots of publicity from suppliers and positive comments from independent observers such as ourselves many people are still put off by the “techie connotations” of the term CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and its reputation for complexity and don’t believe it could help them. Steve Orriss, Director and Lead Consultant at the National B2B Centre and CRM expert, examines just a few of the business issues that small businesses face and how CRM could help. Introduction Interest among our small… Read more »
Cloud Security – The Top 5 Questions for Your Cloud Supplier
Cloud Computing, often referred to as “The Cloud” , is a term that businesses are rapidly become excited about. The excitement stems from the Cloud’s massive potential for delivering powerful computing resources at a much lower cost than “traditional” systems. There is still some reluctance to use the Cloud and one of the main concerns is over security because systems and data are no longer held locally. But should these concerns be “show stoppers”? “Not necessarily, and in many cases certainly… Read more »
The What? and Why? of The Cloud
”The Cloud” is the current buzzword in IT and everybody seems to be talking about it. It’s a marketing label used by suppliers from the very largest (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, BT, etc) to the very smallest, applied to a plethora of different products and services, making it very confusing for businesses. It is difficult to get behind the hype and understand the true value. Martin King-Turner, Managing Director of The National B2B Centre, has written an introduction to “The Cloud”, examining what it… Read more »
10 of the most commonly asked questions about CRM
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is an increasingly popular tool for businesses that are seeking to take more control over the way that they work. There are many questions that people ask when starting to consider CRM for the first time, or when they have outgrown their existing method of customer management and are looking for a replacement. Helen Caldicott, a consultant from Marketing Answers & Solutions, has gathered together the most common questions she gets asked about CRM… and provided the… Read more »
Website Development Problems: Are developers or clients to blame?
James Pennington, the National B2B Centre’s Lead IT Consultant, looks at some of criticisms that we hear from SMEs about their website developers and tries to provide an objective view on where the blame really lies. Over the past 6 ½ years I’ve been with the National B2B Centre I have had a constant stream of complaints from clients who have had issues with their web design and development providers It’s taking ages to get the site completed The site… Read more »
