25th February 2008, Monetical Limited, Cambridge, the provider of a management consultancy service enabling self evaluation and performance optimisation of software engineering, deployment and support activities, announces that it has signed an exclusive agreement with outsourcing expert Hugh Pike, an IBM veteran.

Hugh has been instrumental in defining Monetical’s Outsourcing Audit Module, helping it become the most focused tool available today which enables software and IT organisations to self-evaluate the performance of their currently executed outsourcing strategies.

Many software and IT organisations have adopted an outsourcing strategy for a growing number of activities that make up their value chain, e.g. software engineering, testing, delivery and support. Whilst the driving forces behind such strategies were originally well defined, the increased complexity of the software or IT projects environment means the ability to measure the overall influence outsourcing is having against the initial objectives and the new environment within which the organisation now operates are critical if it is to be continued or expanded.

Monetical Outsourcing Audit Module provides software and IT organisations with focused, practical feedback on their current outsourcing performance. In particular, it focuses on measuring the performance objectives with reference to characteristics such as increased complexity of processes, communication, risk assessment and knowledge management. Preconfigured information allows for an easy-to-use 'checklist' interface that can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of an organisation; it facilitates the comparison over time and for 'benchmarking' against outsourcing best practices and the organisations original objectives. This audit module helps diagnose potential problems, identify practical solutions and develop a greater awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of an implemented outsourcing strategy.

"I.T. Outsourcing can provide a valuable boost to performance or can prove to be a dangerous distraction from the core business, depending on how well it is implemented and managed. Monetical's structured self-evaluation Outsourcing Module is an innovative tool to facilitate the search for areas of weakness in relation to outsourcing and provide pointers for improvement. It will assist managers and senior professionals alike in the quest for ways to improve operational efficiency." remarked Hugh Pike.

Monetical's Founder, John E. Abram commented, ‘IBM were one of the original organisations that saw the financial and operational benefits, which outsourcing can bring. We are therefore delighted to enter into an exclusive agreement with one of IBM’s original outsourcing team members.’ Adding, ‘we believe the ability to evaluate how outsourcing strategies are currently performing is important, especially in an environment where organisations seem to be only considering the short term operational financial benefits, neglecting other operational and commercial factors that influence the overall long term project performance. Incorporating Hugh’s expertise provides our clients with the necessary means to identify critical factors that influence the performance of their outsourcing strategy.’

About Monetical

Based in Cambridge UK, Monetical Limited is the provider of a management consultancy service backed by a network of leading subject matter experts to address the increased complexity of software and IT project engineering, deployment and support activities. Its unique expertise and analytical capabilities empower software and IT organisations to optimise their performance in an increasingly complex business environment. Monetical helps small and medium-sized businesses to gain cost-effective access to a wealth of industry expertise by providing tools which enable them to compare their own operational and commercial performance against best practice. For a comprehensive description about Monetical and its solutions, visit www.monetical.com or write to info@monetical.com

Hugh is an experienced consultant and trainer in commercial negotiations, specialising in outsourcing engagements. He was a senior commercial negotiator in IBM’s Global Services division during a period of twelve years, prior to becoming freelance in 2005. During his time in IBM, Hugh developed a wealth of experience in outsourcing during deal negotiations with customers in a wide variety of businesses, primarily in the private sector. For the last two years prior to leaving IBM, he had responsibility for outsourcing engagements across Europe.