What does an Axiom Assessment include?

Axiom does not deliver a cookie-cutter analysis of your IT systems. Each assessment is designed to include information that is most relevant and helpful for our client based on their business goals and the size of their IT environment.

We ask each client considering our assessment to complete a short questionnaire. Based on the information which they provide, we propose an assessment which includes the analysis which we believe is most appropriate for them.

The following are the types of studies that might be included in our assessment:

Business objectives
The first step to analyzing IT systems and planning investments is to gain an understanding of business-level objectives. Our assessment will take into account whether your top priority is to accommodate for a period of growth, devise a way to reduce costs, or to reduce downtime. We will develop some short and long terms benchmarks for your IT systems based on these conversations. Our team may also need to understand basics of your business, the flow of information in your organization, and the role of business applications.

System architecture and topology
Axiom’s team will create diagrams of your architecture, including servers, storage systems, middleware and business applications. Information is compiled from existing documentation and automated data collection tools. Hardware and software version information, geographic distribution of hardware, and end-user access information may be included here.

Application integration and data exchange
Information is collected about the way business applications collect, exchange, and distribute data. Flowcharts may be compiled for different business processes or workflows. UML use cases may help document some of this information by identifying users, special scenarios, and activity diagrams.

Time-to-access and utilization metrics
Data about actual usage of your IT systems is collected using automated tools. We identify who access information, how often, in what way, and how long it takes them to do so. This process identifies peak access times, server utilization information, and the overall stress on your IT systems. Critical bottlenecks and inefficiencies can be spotted with this information, and this data is used to support other analyses, such as business continuity plans.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
The existing IT business continuity plan, formal or informal, is analyzed for completeness and efficiency. Any misalignment with business objectives, utilization metrics, and line-of-business considerations is identified. Disaster recovery goals and areas that require improvement are documented for inclusion in our recommendation.

Administration and Management
The existing administrative, management, and related overheard costs are described. Resources dedicated to these tasks should be proportionate to the size and complexity of the IT systems.

Green initiatives, such as power consumption and environmental footprint
Axiom’s team will provide estimates and data on the environmental footprint of your IT systems. This analysis includes floor space requirements, power consumption rates, and cooling costs. Our content management consultants can identify related metrics on the use and storage of paper documents. Corporations trying to reduce their impact on their environment and obtain ‘green’ or carbon-neutral certifications can particularly benefit from this assessment.

Compliance goals for SOX and HIPAA
Subject matter experts can help you identify progress or first steps towards achieving compliance objectives. Our team can identify ways to manage records and content within your organization to be HIPAA or SOX compliant.

Available options for virtualization, consolidation and reducing TCO
Our deliverables always include available options for consolidation and/or virtualization of IT systems. These types of initiatives can significantly reduce total cost of ownership and offer improved flexibility and scalability.