UCISA 2010: King's College outsourcing programme

First full day for me at this annual event, arrived last night.


http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/events/2010/conference2010/programme.aspx

First session this morning was Gartner talking about negotiating techniques. Essentially a presentation of their research paper on the subject. Usual stuff, which we need to get better at.

Now listening to Lynne Tucker, Chief Technology Officer from King's College London talking about their major outsourcing programmes.


http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/~/media/Files/events/ucisa2010/4%20%20%20Lynne%20Tucker%20pdf.ashx

An unusual approach for an HEI, certainly wasn't an option for us in the early stages. Kings now have three major outsource contracts to manage - ranging across thin client provision as well as bespoke software development.

Very interesting that they are using SITS and StuTalk the XML web service plug-in for integration of student data into other systems - something we are trying to do.

The whole thing was kicked off by the need for major infrastructure investment eg: data centres.
Key features of their approach were:

- Web-enabled access
- Multi-sourced, partnered approach (staff expertise, data centres, 24/7 support)
- Out-hosting of infrastructure where appropriate (Tier 2/3 data centres, not necessarily with the same supplier)
- Concentrate on value-add in house (e.g. identity management) and harness internal skills and expertise (e.g. data and information management)

Staff skill sets switching to managing relationships with vendors rather than in-house technical skills. VRM critical - ie: vendor management so you know who is meeting with vendor, when and why and manage that relationship.

Loss of control is offset by processes for escalation that everyone understands.

Rigorous change management is essential.


It's not a cheap option, but long term pay back might be 3 x.


Major cost was the effort that needed to go in to making it happen. Key benefit was reducing risk - not having to worry about the infrastructure and getting in-house staff focussed on use of business applications.

The financials were complicated and there an overall revenue cost uplift was required as well as the capital investment.

Asked the question about whether it would be possible to make a business case especially a financial case for this kind of initiative in the current financially constrained times - the view was probably not. A more multi-sourced approach is probably the best bet and Kings are already brining some stuff back in-house.

It would be great to buy that kind of piece of mind though!