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The OTR Research Group is a subscription-based research programme for technology user organisations. It delivers a continuous process of research and analysis which provides insight for strategic decision-making and effective investment in information and communications technology (ICT), including new electronic channels to market. This enables companies to maintain a constantly updated ICT strategy, which is based on business requirements and takes account of emerging technologies. Technology Users The service is aimed at companies which use ICT as opposed to suppliers. The Research Group is formed by leading organisations from different sectors. ICT Investment Strategy Through "Tuned And Tailor-Made" Package The service is provided as a bundle of activities which
are then "tuned" to subscribers' requirements: Business Impact And Focus The service concentrates on the business impact of using technologies rather than detailed "bits and bytes" aspects. The focus is on the organisational aspects, business use and added value of ICT. Senior Managers The service is directed at: Rapid, Clear And Independent The activities are designed to be delivered rapidly with exceptional clarity and to take up an absolute minimum of subscribers' time. Because of its independence, OTR has acquired a reputation to "say it like it is". Benefits The service will help users in particular to: Knowledge The OTR Research Group really does turn information into knowledge. |
This report is aimed at companies or organisations interested in a cost-effective alternative to their in-house ICT infrastructure or considering a major upgrade. By examining planned investments and recent technology advances, the report establishes the trends in ICT infrastructure spending. ICT Technologies Likely To Have Impact The full report takes into consideration the migration of consumer-based technologies into the corporate world. Today, with the radical development of technologies that have narrowed the business cycle to less than ten years, organisations are looking at home and consumer-based technologies as a way to bolster business. Biometric Authentication Devices The full report examines the many forms of biometric authentication already in use and, for the foreseeable future, which authentication devices and applications are likely to remain a waste of time and money. The report is aimed at organisations interested in the devices and technologies most likely to provide realistic and affordable biometric authentication. This report examines the topic of ICT-related, offshore outsourcing and examines the experience of those who have tried out this approach. Its objective is to enable organisations to decide if the option is viable for them and, if so, to provide a realistic view as to how well it is likely to work out as well as the likely financial returns. The report examines the experience of organisations in their use of benchmarking both internal ICT departments and outsourcers. The objective is to reveal where benchmarking works and in what circumstances. It is also to show where the activity is likely to be a waste of money. The research is aimed at those managers who will have to authorise investment in systems integration. It examines what is going on in order to give a senior decision-maker an overview of what turns out to be a complicated reality. The objective is to stop them signing off "leaps into the dark" and to persuade them that in-company, genuinely-expert help is absolutely crucial. The report examines what needs to be done to show that
the ICT function is not only correctly placed within the organisation
and managed well but is an effective partner in the increasingly important
area of corporate governance. The objective of the report is to show what
actions need to be undertaken and what is broad, best practice. The report is aimed at those who either intend to or are already in the process of implementing virtual teams. Its objectives are to show the specific management measures that are necessary to make them work and to describe the information and communications technology needed to support them. The report is aimed at potential purchasers of Business Intelligence (BI) software. Its objective is to enable them to decide whether or not they will be able to use such software effectively and, in the process, make a return that is greater than the costs involved. Technologies Best Supporting Business Processes The full report examines the technologies that
can be used to improve the support of business processes. The objective
of the research is to enable business managers to decide whether investment
in any of these will be worthwhile. The report will be of significance
to those that have an interest in increasing business process efficiency. New Wireless Technologies Providing Business Impact The research is aimed at organisations that are considering investing in new wireless technologies. The analysis puts aside the media hype that has surrounded the various topics and examines how well each area will do and how the take-up of the technologies is likely to come about. The report's objective is to show what developments in wireless technology will have a major impact and to enable companies to avoid the potential traps brought about by media reporting. Charging Methods For ICT Services OTR examines the various approaches taken for the charging of Information and Communications Technology services within organisations. The objective of the research is to provide guidelines as to what will work best in what circumstances and to shed light on some of the main causes of tension. OTR reports on the economics of outsourcing from both the suppliers' as well as the customers' point of view. The results of the research will enable companies to avoid negotiating agreements that will sow the seeds of failure at the outset. Reducing Software Licensing Costs OTR examines the approaches that organisations have adopted in their efforts to reduce the costs associated with software licenses. The report draws conclusions as to what works best and the reasons why. Key I.T. Skills For Next 5 Years OTR examines the market for information technology employment and describes the likely, major skill requirements. The results of the research will enable senior managers to put their future technology plans into perspective and to allow them to see how much these will critically depend on getting access to potentially scarce skills. OTR reports on the subject of electronic payments and the supporting technology that is likely to be used for future e-commerce. As might be expected, mobile telecommunications has a massive influence in this area. The objective of the research is to make companies aware of what is happening and of the likely outcome.
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