Slick logistics depend on slick processes supported by efficient back-end systems, but this can be difficult to manage effectively without clear visibility of and a clear strategy for all the services that hold it together. Where the IT estate is maintained by external service providers, the situation becomes even more complex. This was the case with a major UK logistics organisation, whose IT infrastructure had grown to become a sprawling estate of ageing legacy systems whose performance no longer matched the needs of the business.

In a difficult economic climate and price-sensitive market, the IT department had been set a challenge to reduce running costs for IT services by 40% by 2013 and a further 10% by 2015. This had to be achieved without degradation in service, and meant finding ways of reducing costs across the IT estate, including desktop, servers and networks. The task would require the co-operation of the company’s existing service provider, in identifying areas for improvement and enabling a business case to be developed. At the same time, the organisation needed to modernise its IT infrastructure to meet the changing demands of the business, and so it could take advantage of additional opportunities to improve service and reduce costs in the future.

In order to make any improvements, the logistics company needed a clear view of its existing situation, a vision of where it needed to be, and a detailed map of how to get there. This was the challenge it presented to specialist IT consultancy, Xantus. The engagement also included a review of the company’s sourcing strategy.

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