All topics
Every guide on the site, grouped by topic. 143 articles and counting.
IT and Security
Running IT infrastructure, support and security from a central function.
IT Operations
- Centralized IT Systems: A Guide to Implementation and Management
- Centralized Data Centers: A Cost-Effective Solution for Businesses
- Streamlining Operations with Centralized IT Management
- The Benefits of Centralized Asset Management
- The Benefits of Centralized IT Asset Management
- The Benefits of Centralized Network Management
- The Pros and Cons of Centralized IT Operations
IT Support
- The Benefits of Centralized IT Service Management
- Centralized IT Support: A Game-Changer for Remote Workers
- Centralized IT Support: A Game-Changer for Small Businesses
- Centralized IT Support: A Key to Improved User Experience
- Change Control for IT Systems
- Incidents, Problems and Requests: The Basics of ITSM
- Writing a Knowledge Base That Reduces Repeat Tickets
Security and Risk
- The Importance of Centralized IT Security
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Compliance and Risk Management
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Risk Management
- The Benefits of Centralized Compliance Management
- The Importance of Centralized IT Security Management
- The Role of Centralized Systems in Enhancing Business Continuity
Identity and Access
- Identity and Access Management Concepts for Business Readers
- Access Reviews and Recertification
- Authentication Versus Authorization
- Joiners, Movers and Leavers: Managing Access Through Change
- Multi-Factor Authentication Basics
- Privileged Accounts and Why They Need Extra Care
- Role-Based Access Control Explained
- Single Sign-On: How It Works and What to Consider
- The Principle of Least Privilege
Data and Insight
Managing data, documents and reporting from shared systems.
Data Management
- The Importance of Centralized Data Management in the Digital Age
- Centralized Data Management: A Key to Improved Decision-Making
- Common Data Quality Problems and How to Spot Them
- Data Retention and Records Schedules
- Data Stewardship Roles and Responsibilities
- Master Data Management Basics
- The Benefits of Centralized Document Management Systems
- The Importance of Centralized Data Governance
- The Importance of Centralized Data Management in Decision-Making
- The Importance of Centralized Data Quality Management
Reporting and Finance
- The Benefits of Centralized Business Intelligence
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Financial Performance
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Financial Reporting
- Centralized Systems: A Key to Improved Business Intelligence
- Centralized Systems: A Key to Improved Business Performance
- Self-Service Reporting: Benefits and Risks
Operations and People
Strategy, processes, supply chains and the people affected by centralization.
Strategy
- The Benefits of Centralized Systems in Modern Business
- Centralized Operations: A Strategy for Business Growth and Success
- Centralized Systems: A Key to Improved Business Agility
- The Future of Centralized Systems: Emerging Trends and Technologies
- The Role of Centralized Systems in Enhancing Business Agility
Operations
Supply Chain
People and Customers
- Centralized Systems: A Key to Improved Communication and Collaboration
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Customer Satisfaction
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Employee Engagement
- Centralized Operations: A Key to Improved Employee Productivity
- The Impact of Centralized Operations on Employee Morale and Engagement
- The Role of Centralized Systems in Enhancing Customer Engagement
- The Role of Centralized Systems in Enhancing Customer Experience
Operating Models and Governance
Choosing between central, local and hybrid setups and deciding who owns what.
Decentralized and Hybrid Models
- Centralized, Decentralized and Hybrid Operating Models Compared
- Deciding Which Functions to Centralize First
- Federated Models for IT and Data
- How Decentralized Organizations Keep Systems Consistent
- Hub and Spoke Structures in Business Operations
- Local Autonomy and Speed of Decisions
- Reversing Centralization: When and How to Decentralize
- Signs That Centralization Is the Wrong Fit
- Single Points of Failure in Central Systems
Shared Services
- Shared Services Explained: Structure, Scope and Trade-Offs
- Chargeback and Showback for Internal Services
- Common Problems in Shared Services and How to Address Them
- Internal Service Level Agreements That People Actually Use
- Keeping Business Units Satisfied With Shared Services
- Service Catalogs for Internal Shared Services
- Setting Up a Shared Services Function Step by Step
- Shared Services Versus Outsourcing
Governance and Decision Rights
- Governance for Centralized Systems: Roles, Forums and Decisions
- Balancing Central Control With Local Input
- Decision Rights: Who Decides What in a Central Model
- Handling Exceptions to Central Standards
- Reviewing Governance Over Time
- Steering Committees: Purpose, Membership and Agendas
- System Owners and Process Owners Explained
- Using a RACI Matrix for Shared Systems
- Writing Policies and Standards People Can Follow
Change and Migration
Planning moves between systems, choosing tools and bringing people along.
Change Management
- Change Management for System and Structure Changes
- Building a Case for Change Without Overselling It
- Change Champions and Local Networks
- Communication Plans for Organizational Change
- Measuring Adoption After a System Change
- Stakeholder Mapping Before a Centralization Project
- Supporting Managers Through Restructuring
- Training Approaches for New Central Systems
- When Change Stalls: Diagnosing Resistance
Migration Planning
- Planning a System Migration: Phases, Risks and Checkpoints
- Big Bang Versus Phased Cutover
- Consolidating Multiple Systems Into One
- Current State Assessment Before a Migration
- Data Migration Basics: Mapping, Cleansing and Validation
- Decommissioning Legacy Systems Safely
- Rollback Plans for Migrations
- Running Old and New Systems in Parallel
- Testing Before Go-Live
Choosing Tools and Vendors
- How to Choose Business Software: A Neutral Evaluation Process
- Avoiding Vendor Lock-In
- Build, Buy or Configure: Weighing the Options
- Integration and Interoperability Questions
- Questions to Ask a Software Vendor
- Running a Fair Software Trial or Pilot
- Scoring Matrices for Comparing Options
- Total Cost of Ownership Explained
- Writing Requirements Before Talking to Vendors
Foundations and Reference
Measurement, business size and plain definitions of common terms.
Metrics and Measurement
- Measuring Centralized Operations: Choosing Metrics That Matter
- Building a Simple Operations Dashboard
- Defining a Metric Precisely
- Establishing a Baseline Before Changing Anything
- Leading and Lagging Indicators
- Measuring Cost and Value of Internal Functions
- Running Regular Performance Reviews
- Service Desk Metrics and What They Tell You
- Unintended Effects of Targets
Small Business and Enterprise
- Centralization for Small Businesses and Large Enterprises
- Enterprise Complexity: Coordinating Many Business Units
- Franchise and Network Models
- Mergers and Acquisitions: Integrating Systems
- Multi-Site Businesses: What to Share and What to Keep Local
- Running IT Without a Dedicated IT Team
- Spreadsheets as Business Systems: Limits and Good Practice
- When a Growing Business Should Formalize Its Systems