Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Spotlight is a consultancy focused on Enterprise Information Management (EIM) to help our clients shine. At Spotlight, we believe EIM solutions offer the most value for the investment. At the core of every business model is data. When data is combined it becomes information and further evolves into knowledge when it is relevant and applied to business needs. All three are valuable business assets in planning and decision-making. EIM simply strives to bring predictability, consistency and usefulness to an enterprise’s data assets.

From a practical perspective, enterprises rely on forms to collect, synthesize and report data that drives critical decisions. However, outdated, paper-based systems are used to trickle vital information throughout an organization like a stream when the enterprise needs it to openly flow like a river. These systems drain personnel resources, defy data sharing across business functions, frustrate users and generate incomplete reports. To address this challenge, Spotlight recommends a combination of People, Process, Technology and Creativity to craft an EIM solution tailored to each client’s prioritized business needs.

Spotlight works with clients as a Liaison and an Implementer. As a Liaison between business and technology teams, Spotlight guides clients to implement solutions that streamline business processes, simplify data collection, automate routing and tracking, facilitate collaboration and expedite reporting. As an Implementer, Spotlight’s technology solutions are defined through a gap analysis of current client technology investments and remaining technology needs.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0

Spotlight specializes in web solutions for tion since 1994. The Web originated as a one-way communication channel of text, video, sound and links to other relevant information. Web 1.0 can be defined as the two-way interactions between people, companies and the Web through Intranets, Extranets and eCommerce. Today, Web 2.0 is focused on "Mashing", orchestrating and sharing information and knowledge globally and instantaneously. Spotlight believes Web X.0 is more about learning, predicting and recommending based on knowledge about a specific user. The more you use the Web, the more your browser learns about you and the less specific you'll need to be with your questions. For example, you might eventually be able to ask your browser open questions like "where should I go for lunch?" Your browser would consult its records of what you like and dislike, take into account your current location and then suggest a list of restaurants. This capability presents limitless new possibilities in the workplace as well. Spotlight is excited for this new wave of capabilities and the resulting applications for our clients. Whether our clients are in need of Web 1.0, 2.0 or X.0 solutions, Spotlight is ready to map business needs to the highest valued solutions.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0 / Web Applications

A web application, or "web app", is an application that is accessed via a web browser over a network such as the Internet, an intranet or extranet. Web applications are popular due to the openness and accessibility of web browsers, and the convenience of using a web browser as an information access window into an enterprise. The ability to update and maintain web applications without distributing and installing software on potentially thousands of client computers is a key reason for their popularity, as is the inherent support for cross platform compatibility. Today, almost any application can be built within the Web paradigm. Spotlight is a firm believer in web application technologies and is proficient in the effective use of web technology in developing business line applications.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0 / Collaboration Communication

Collaboration and communication solutions can also be referred to as "groupware" or "workgroup support systems".   Collaboration and Communication solutions are designed to help people involved in common tasks and processes achieve their goals.  The value of collaboration is based on Metcalfe's Law - the more people who use something, the more valuable it becomes.  Likewise in business, the more people who contribute intellectual property to the operation and processes of the business, the more valuable the business becomes.  Spotlight's experience in intranets has lead to pioneering Collaboration and Communication solutions for clients since the late 1990's.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0 / Web Marketing

Marketing web sites are based on the communication and presentation of products, or, services over the Internet. The Internet has brought media to a global audience. The interactive nature of Internet marketing in terms of providing instant response and eliciting responses, is a unique quality. Spotlight believes web marketing can be considered to have a broader reach than a simple web page on the Internet.  Mobile devices are now viable channels for connecting with customers in a ubiquitous fashion – anywhere and anytime.  Web marketing requires an integrated approach through the combination of the Internet, mobile devices and customer data and relationship management systems. Spotlight has been working with marketing-based web sites since the late 1990’s and is a firm believer in leveraging the Internet and mobile devices as strategic marketing channels.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0 / eCommerce

An extended level of marketing and customer interaction on the Internet is eCommerce. eCommerce or "Electronic Commerce", consists of the buying and selling of products, services and content through the Internet. The amount of trade conducted electronically has grown extraordinarily with widespread Internet usage. eCommerce has pushed and pulled on innovations in supply chain management, electronic funds transfer, web marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, automated data collection systems and self service capabilities. eCommerce is conducted in two primary ways, B2C and B2B. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) commerce is likely more common and quickly understandable. B2C takes the form of Target.com, Walmart.com or Amazon.com. B2C can either be an extension of a traditional brick and mortar business (i.e. Target or Walmart) or the sales channel itself, as is the case with Amazon.com. B2B (Business-to-Business) commerce can either take the form of an open marketplace or a private transaction platform. Businesses can take advantage of Internet infrastructure and the web browser to simplify the communication and transactions of business offerings to other businesses. B2C commerce is well known and should be explored by any business providing traditional goods and services through a storefront today. Spotlight also believes there is strong value for B2B commerce solutions most businesses have yet to explore.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0 / Social Networking

Social Networking started to gain serious momentum in 2005. Social Networking focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact. Well known Social Networking services are Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn. Given a relatively short history, the power of the concept is little understood – specifically as it applies to business operations and development. What is known is Social Networking has encouraged new ways to communicate and share information. Social Networking websites are being used regularly by millions of people. The law of "large numbers" suggests there is value in developing an external and internal Social Networking strategy for each business attempting to take advantage of the Internet and its related technologies. Spotlight’s experience with the Internet and web technologies is directly applicable to developing Social Networking strategies and solutions.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Web X.0 / Cloud Computing

The "Cloud" is symbolic of a technical network diagram icon for the Internet. Cloud Computing is based on highly scalable, dynamic and often virtualized services and resources available through the Internet. Businesses and individual users do not need to have knowledge of, expertise in or control over the technology infrastructure in a Cloud Computing environment that supports them. There are three service types offered through Cloud Computing: 1) Infrastructure as a Service 2) Platform as a Service 3) Software as a Service. Although the "Cloud"/Internet has been available for over two decades, the shared services and resources model of Cloud Computing is relatively new. Cloud Computing customers do not typically own the infrastructure, platform or software, rather rent it as a utility (much like electricity). Cloud services offer numerous benefits to businesses. First, Cloud Computing does not require a capital expenditure to acquire vast amounts of capabilities, resources or services. Second, there is a low barrier of entry to gain access to high-valued computing services. Third, there is low management overhead associated with Cloud Computing. Fourth, Cloud service providers are held to high availability and recovery standards through Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Finally, the option to terminate services, resources and infrastructure at any time offers a strategic advantage in flexible spending models businesses have not experienced in the past. Overall, Spotlight is a firm believer in Cloud Computing as a tactical and strategic advantage for almost any business to consider.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Flow

Information Flow is key to effective business processes and operation.  When information is not flowing in a business, processes become stagnant and users create their own workarounds for obtaining the information needed to complete common tasks.  In an effort to model information flow, Spotlight envisions information in three states: sedentary, active and dynamic.  Each business instinctively understands and knows which state of information it is experiencing today.  Sedentary information is characterized by information access when it is needed and when the user knows where to find it.  This state can also be known as "static".  Active information is experienced in businesses where data is moving smoothly through systems and appears when needed, as well as in unexpected value-added situations in support of business processes and operations.  Active information is continually updated and contextual.  Dynamic information is predictive and leads the user to new information that may also be useful in decision-making and more rapid task completion.  In addition to information state, there is also a format.  Example formats include: text files, relational data, spreadsheets and XML files.  Spotlight believes it is important for each business to be aware of its information needs and to optimize Information Flow accordingly.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Flow / Enterprise Content Management

Enterprise Content Management (ECM) is defined as the strategies, methods and tools used to capture, manage, store, preserve and deliver content and documents related to organizational processes. ECM tools and strategies allow the management of a company's unstructured information, wherever that information exists.  ECM is commonly applied to web site management.  ECM solutions can also be a method for providing intranet or portal services to employees.  Some of the specific benefits of ECM solutions are the reduction of paper handling, storage and lost documents.  In addition, ECM allows for improved document and content edit auditing and security.  Spotlight can assist any business with assessing its ECM needs and jointly crafting a tailored ECM solution roadmap.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Flow / System Integration

Over time, businesses develop and deploy a variety of applications, transaction processing systems and server-based platforms.  These solutions can all be termed "systems" in a general sense.  Systems are deployed to automate business processes and facilitate task completion for employees (two typical "system" goals).  System integration involves integrating existing (often disparate) subsystems.  The subsystems will have interfaces. Integration involves joining the subsystems together by "gluing" their interfaces together. If the interfaces don’t directly interlock, the "glue" between them can provide the required mappings. System integration is about determining the required "glue". System integration is also about adding value to system capabilities that are possible because of interactions between subsystems.  In today’s connected world, more and more systems are designed to connect together, both within the system under construction and to systems that are already deployed.  It is also important to note many enterprises are deploying Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) to develop more system integration agility and flexibility.  Spotlight believes in system integration road mapping and maintaining a common platform (i.e. Java, .Net, Oracle, etc.) to bring order to what can become a challenging weave of technical connections across a business landscape.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Flow / Process Efficiency

Process Efficiency focuses on business processes or business methods as a collection of related, structured activities or tasks that produce a specific service or product for customers. There are three types of core business processes: 1) Management processes govern the operation of the system - Corporate Governance and Strategic Management. 2) Operational processes constitute the core business and create the primary value stream – Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing and Purchasing. 3) Supporting processes (in support of Operational processes) are Accounting, Recruiting and Technical Support. Processes and methods can often be visualized with a flowchart as a sequence of activities. Business processes are designed to add value for the customer and should not include unnecessary activities. The outcome of a well-designed business process is increased effectiveness (value for the customer) and increased efficiency (less costs for the company). Spotlight believes in unlocking the potential of process efficiencies for clients through continual business process management.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Effectiveness

Information Effectiveness is based on the trust a business has in its core data and information.  Information Effectiveness emphasizes data precision, granularity and meaning and is concerned with how the content is integrated into business applications as well as how it is passed along from one business process to another.  Uncoordinated information management approaches by various segments of the organization can result in data conflicts and quality inconsistencies – making it difficult for users to trust the data as it is incorporated into models, mapped to applications, used to perform calculations, shared among supply chain participants and relied upon for decision-making.  The goal of Information Effectiveness is trust and confidence in data assets.  Spotlight believes in each business assessing its core data and information and applying the findings to a "Trust Meter" to determine its true effectiveness.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Effectiveness / One Source of the Truth

One Source of the Truth is focused on ensuring an organization does not use multiple (potentially inconsistent) versions of the same core (master) data in various aspects of its operations. This concept is closely related to Master Data Management (MDM). A common example of poor MDM is the scenario of an insurance company where a customer has a policy and the insurance company begins to send policy solicitations to that customer, ignoring the fact that the person already has a policy relationship with the insurer. This happens because the customer information used by the marketing team within the insurance company lacks integration with the customer information used by the customer services team. Thus, the two groups remain unaware that an existing customer is also considered a sales lead. In the pursuit of One Source of the Trust, Spotlight believes businesses should assess the effectiveness of core data management processes; collecting, aggregating, matching, consolidating, quality-assuring, persisting and distribution to ensure consistency and control in the ongoing maintenance and application use of the data.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Information Effectiveness / Business Intelligence

Business intelligence (BI) is a broad category of applications and technologies for gathering, storing, analyzing and providing access to allow users make better business decisions.  The four core capabilities of BI are: 1) Reporting 2) Analysis 3) Dashboard 4) Scorecard.  Reporting and Analysis of data are common and well known needs of every business.  Lesser known capabilities of BI are dashboards, designed to communicate complex information quickly. Dashboards translate information from your various corporate systems and data into visually rich presentations using gauges, maps, charts and other graphical elements to show multiple results together.  Scorecards help align teams and tactics with strategy, communicate goals consistently, and monitor performance against targets.  Spotlight is a firm believer in meaningful and wide spread business intelligence across the enterprise.  Every business operates on spreadsheets to some degree - some more than they would like to admit at times.  A well planned transition from spreadsheets to business intelligence can help a business make better, more timely decisions and thus grow more efficiently and rapidly.

Spotlight Solutions

Enterprise Information Management

Spotlight Results

Projects are a means to an end. Starting with the end in mind is important. A clear understanding of your goals from the beginning allows you to maintain focus and adjust your course when needed to navigate to the desired end result. Spotlight’s clients Shine! when they achieve their goals.

• Decreased process cycle times
• Increased Trust in your data
• Increased information sharing within your organization
• Enhanced access to legacy information repositories
• Reduced employee management costs
• Participation in the electronic business community
• Leveraged investment in existing systems, while managing to an open systems environment
• Distributed workforce collaboration and communication
• Interactive marketing channels
• Integration of your customers and business partners into your customer-service processes