KPMG Consulting brings its managed service offering to SA

KPMG Consulting has launched its managed service offering to the local market. The offering which forms part of its outsourcing division, will include implementation of IT infrastructure, IT support and virus protection for its clients, as well as moving into the application service provision (ASP) market.

The offering was established for a number of reasons: firstly, the impending IPO of KPMG Consulting has resulted in the internal IT department of KPMG aligning themselves with KPMG Consulting, which gives the group a larger technological bias as a solution provider. Secondly, the offering has given KPMG Consulting the ability to focus its IT skills set around new technologies for example application service provision (ASP), networking and e-outsourcing. Lastly, the move enables KPMG Consulting to achieve critical mass to provide IT services to a broader market.

"We have a dedicated team with proven technology skills on Microsoft, Cisco and Compaq products, which has been servicing KPMG internally for a number of years. However, with the new structure of KPMG Consulting, we can offer our services and knowledge base to outside clients as part of the KPMG Consulting outsourcing division," says Richard Samson, partner of technology services at KPMG Consulting. "In addition, this offering will provide us with an effective way to retain our best people and continue to develop the skills set within the existing technology group."

One of the services that the company is looking to develop and build competencies around is an ASP offering. "KPMG Consulting already services ASP clients through its many branches around SA. For example our smaller branch offices run off a shared service model, whereby they access their applications through a dedicated line," says Samson. "One of the key factors in the decision to offer an outsourced managed services division, is that in order for companies to move forward they need to keep abreast of technological innovation, which often requires extensive capital outlay and knowledge. This often means detracting from the core competencies of the business, due to the increasing complexity of IT. From our experience companies would rather retain the services of a capable outsourcing organisation that is able to handle all the logistical and technical requirements."

KPMG Consulting through its managed service offering, is now able to assume the risk for companies with the handling of their IT infrastructure and implementation, which will ultimately result in a more cost-effective means of obtaining IT expertise for companies.

Companies that are already working with KPMG Consulting include KPMG World, KPMG SA and a local mining house.