| IT advice and updates for Annex customers | Edition 3, 2009 – Q2 |
Newsletter
| Featured Projects |
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In past issues of the Annex Connections newsletter, we have featured enterprise projects Annex is working on for some of the largest organizations in BC. Given the current challenging economic times, we focus in this edition on Annex projects that are helping some of our smaller clients achieve their business objectives for a low cost. Part-time Database Administration Do you have an application that requires support, but have only a limited maintenance budget? Annex has been supporting an Oracle database application for a large BC client on a part-time basis since year 2000. A senior DBA provides only 16 hours of support services per month. Other than Oracle upgrades, support services are typically provided remotely. This approach has resulted in a) a very stable application, b) a system that has surpassed lifecycle duration expectations, and c) an extremely low-cost solution eliminating the need for an employee to provide support. Part-time Infrastructure and Application Support Annex has been providing part-time support for a non-profit organization since the summer of 2004. The work includes support for the entire network and desktop infrastructure, infrastructure improvements and upgrade projects, and application enhancements and support for the core membership system. The Annex consultant provides, on average, three days of services per week. This approach allows the organization to outsource IT without the need to hire permanent staff, pay benefits, etc. The senior resource works hours only as needed to conserve the customer’s budget dollars. Pass-through Services – Enterprise Architecture Annex was approached by a BC crown corporation to provide pass-through services for an enterprise architect. The senior consultant already had a relationship with the client. The client wanted to simplify their procurement process, so they selected Annex as the pass-through agent for this individual and other consultants. Annex provides consistent invoices, timesheets and contract administration processes to the client, as well as required insurance coverage for all contractors. The benefit to the consultant, besides insurance coverage, is that Annex handles contract administration and billing. Annex’s pass-through rate to the client is $3 per hour for an incorporated consultant – the lowest cost in BC. Better still, the pass-through rates drop over time based on volume discounts. If you wish to simplify your contracting process with independent consultants, try the Annex pass-through program. It is being utilized by many of BC’s top 100 companies. Infrastructure Support – Conversion to Employee Annex was providing technical analysis and infrastructure support for a BC crown corporation on a 2-year contract. The client negotiated a long-term contract duration in order to lower rates as much as possible. The project started at a time in the local marketplace when it was challenging to find employees. As the economy softened and salaries began to drop, the client and consultant both became interested in an employment relationship. Annex converted the contractor into a full-time employee. Some clients may not realize that if customer and consultant want to engage in an employment relationship, Annex will happily work to make that happen. The longer the contract duration prior to conversion, the lower the conversion fee. If you are currently restricted by head count constraints in your organization, consider contracting. Once the head count restriction is lifted, then you have the option to convert the contractor to an employee. Management Consulting Annex is providing management consulting services to a mid-sized software product company. The CEO was asked what areas of his job were causing him the most personal pain. He responded by saying he had always been responsible for creating and negotiating contracts with their customers. Annex identified a Contracts Manager consultant to take over this role from the CEO. The consultant is a subject matter expert in services and license agreements. Based on his expertise, he has required only 6 hours per month of services on average over the last 2.5 years. For the CEO, this is a small price to pay for addressing an important priority and taking that activity off his plate. Is there anything causing you “personal pain”? Let us help you simplify your work life, or take on tasks that are inconvenient or not enjoyable so you can concentrate on providing the highest value to your organization. For more information on any of these projects or services offered by Annex, please contact Stacey Cerniuk at (604) 699-8644 (direct line) or scerniuk@annexgroup.com. |
MEET THE TEAM
Susan Dong
Client Manager
Susan has been a Client Manager with Annex for the past 4 years, and celebrates her 10th year in the IT industry this year. Susan has had the pleasure to work with many of BC’s top 100 high tech companies on their project resourcing needs. She joined Annex after a 4+ year tenure as Recruitment Director (BC) for a top 5 national recruiting company, where she had the honour of being ranked as its top Recruiter for 2005. Read more...
FEATURED PROJECTS
- Part-time Database Administration
- Part-time Infrastructure and Application Support
- Pass-through Services – Enterprise Architecture
- Infrastructure Support – Conversion to Employee
- Management Consulting
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GIVING BACK
- SFU Alumni Association
- Mentorship
- The next generation of IT professionals
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FAST FACTS
- Founded in 1998
- Fastest growing company in BC for the last 5 consecutive years
- 97% customer satisfaction
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