Strategic Planning Guidance
Strategic planning is easily overlooked as an essential small and medium sized business process.
Once a strategic plan is in place it takes little time and effort to review, and has the potential to ensure the organisation is focussed on long-term goals, and the methods for achieving them.
Strategic planning is a process that is best performed by the business stakeholders, but an SME should receive guidance for implementing and maintaining a strategic plan for their business environment.
Internal Surveys
Internal surveys may be implemented as a part of strategic planning, options analysis, IM structure reviews and other services, but can be used alone as a base to further examine workplace efficiency and performance.
Internal surveys are also useful for for management reviews, or the initial stages of knowledge management. The possibilities here are quite broad.
Octothorn consulting can produce and host survey web-forms for you, with the raw data being collected and analysed here. Alternately the raw data can be sent directly to your organisation for your private consideration.
Environmental Scanning
Information about the external or internal business environment is collected from peer-reviewed journals and other published sources, analysed and presented in a report for your consideration.
Database Design and Implementation
Great data is of little use without an organised way to view, use, and keep that data current. Octothorn Consulting is experienced with building relational databases using secure and up-to-date tools that will make data retrieval and maintenance for SME clients a simple, secure and low-cost process.
Hardware/Software Options Analysis
Your requirements are assessed, and the most suitable IT options for your business environment are researched. The strengths and weaknesses of each possible solution as it relates to your business environment are presented in a report for your consideration. Depth of investigation, report length and level of report formality are at the client's discretion.
Information Management Structure Reviews
Similar to environmental scanning performed on the internal business environment, but with the focus on information management and information flows.
Product/Market Research
Reviews of genuine literature are provided to ease decision-making for current or upcoming products and services. References to existing and expected demand and demographics, as well as known upcoming competing vendors ensure long-term value of the information we provide.
Linux Server Implementation
Free/Open Source software has a great deal to offer small business, can easily be managed, and fits well in to a windows-based environment. Your needs are assessed, and a solution or range of solutions is offered to fit those needs.
Linux Server Maintenance
Your business may already have a Linux-based server with maintenance and security demands. Although Linux CAN be low-maintenance, this relies on proper configuration by an experienced Linux Server Administrator. Proper Linux server configuration can substantially reduce the TCO and improve uptime and data security.