Recruiter models to streamline business

Michael Page International has recently implemented new modelling software as part of a service oriented architecture (SOA) strategy design to improve operations by streamlining the IT processes that support it.

The global recruitment firm is using the Mega Modelling Suite as a key component in a programme to align its IT better with its business operations and enabling the roll out of new initiatives to increase productivity and maintain competitive edge, like the planned introduction of a new customer relationship management (CRM) system.

A review of IT resources and the introduction of an enterprise architecture redevelopment programme in March 2007 as a result of rapid global expansion led the recruiter to look for IT tools to review and standardise global business processes, while allowing for regional variances in working practices, methodologies and supporting software.

And it will use the suite specifically to improve the auditing or mapping of existing IT resources in relation to its business, then analyse, design and implement new processes and IT frameworks in line with business objectives.

The use of Mega will, in turn, pave the way for the introduction of a SOA initiative and the implementation of global CRM system Adapt, from specialist recruitment industry software developer Bond International.

The architecture modelling resources Mega provides will also be used to help rationalise three separately located IT hubs and standardise working practices between them.

Michael Page said the suite was the only one shortlisted that provide a consistent set of highly graphical, off-the-shelf tools that would allow complete traceability between business processes, services, information systems, data and infrastructure, together with full customer support services.

Andrew Wayland, Michael Page International's chief information officer, added:

"Mega seems to be a tool that evolves very quickly to meet new standards in the industry and that was a definite advantage to us."

The implementation of Mega's enterprise architecture and business process analysis tools began in April 2008. And Michael Page anticipates the ongoing measuring and adjusting of processes will also facilitate the consolidation of the three data centres over the next five years.

Miya Knights

A 25-year veteran enterprise technology expert, Miya Knights applies her deep understanding of technology gained through her journalism career to both her role as a consultant and as director at Retail Technology Magazine, which she helped shape over the past 17 years. Miya was educated at Oxford University, earning a master’s degree in English.

Her role as a journalist has seen her write for many of the leading technology publishers in the UK such as ITPro, TechWeekEurope, CIO UK, Computer Weekly, and also a number of national newspapers including The Times, Independent, and Financial Times.