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Realizing Your Business Strategy by Boosting IT Operational Maturity
Realizing Your Business Strategy by Boosting IT Operational Maturity

Realizing Your Business Strategy by Boosting IT Operational Maturity

By Sikich LLP|2017-10-23T15:42:11+00:00October 3rd, 2017|Cloud|

When organizations look for managed services providers, they typically consider the skills and technologies in a managed services provider’s arsenal, along with experience and customer references. Often, they look for a work culture and attitudes that are similar to their own. All of that is helpful. But operational maturity is at least as important when you’re looking to achieve a productive engagement with an IT managed services provider. Assessing and increasing IT operational maturity is also essential in achieving your organization’s strategic goals. Maturity Matches Between Clients and Consulting Organizations At Sikich, we regularly determine the maturity of our IT processes and systems, using standard industry assessment tools. On a scale of 1 to 5, we consider, group, and grade our operations into three main areas: operational scalability, governance and controls, and strategic alignment and business value. The questionnaires and [...]

A Practical Application of Enterprise Mobility Protection
A Practical Application of Enterprise Mobility Protection

A Practical Application of Enterprise Mobility Protection

By Sikich LLP|2017-09-28T15:04:09+00:00September 28th, 2017|Azure, Office 365, Security|

Companies of all types and sizes are becoming targets for all types of bad actors from the mischievous to the criminal. Solutions exist to offer protections of various sorts against damage from bad actors. A financial services client recently approached Sikich for assistance to increase their security posture and provide additional protection for company data, specifically targeting mobile devices. The Microsoft Enterprise Mobility & Security (EMS) solution offers all the capability to control and protect both users and the data they access. The added benefit is that EMS complements and integrates with the existing Office 365 services already present. The objective for this client was user identity and mobile device protection. The solution selected and implemented was Microsoft Enterprise Mobility and Security. What is involved in this solution? Enterprise Mobility & Security Components Include: Azure Active Directory Premium Microsoft Intune Azure Information Protection Microsoft Advanced Threat [...]

How to Create a Secure Password Policy for Your Organization
How to Create a Secure Password Policy for Your Organization

How to Create a Secure Password Policy for Your Organization

By Sikich LLP|2017-10-23T15:29:03+00:00September 25th, 2017|Security|

Passwords are an essential part of security at any organization and an important element in preventative measures to keep hackers from getting in the door to your data. Here are some tips to ensure you have the right policy in place to keep your organization safe from security threats. Tips to Create a Strong and Secure Password Policy When you think about passwords, there are a few dynamics to consider. The password history, password age, and password length should be top of mind. So, what standards should you set? Enforce Password History Password history sets how frequently old passwords can be used again. When you include this in your policy, it discourages users from alternating between several common passwords that can be easily hacked. Some organizations might only enforce a password history of one or two remembered passwords. Best practices [...]

Generator Systems Case Study: Seamless Jump to the Cloud with NetSuite
Generator Systems Case Study: Seamless Jump to the Cloud with NetSuite

Generator Systems Case Study: Seamless Jump to the Cloud with NetSuite

By Sikich LLP|2018-05-16T20:51:47+00:00September 14th, 2017|Case Study, NetSuite|

Generator Systems focuses on customers, avoiding technical distractions with Cloud ERP. Customer Profile Generator Systems designs, distributes, installs, and services backup power solutions for industrial, commercial, municipal, data center and residential customers in the State of Ohio. The company’s headquarters are located in Medina, Ohio. About two thirds of its approximately 40 employees work in the field, serving customers and helping them meet their requirements for backup power. Business Situation When it was time for Generator Systems to move away from an ERP system created in-house to a solution that was more powerful and easier to manage, the company decided to build its business infrastructure in the cloud. Rob Somrak, CFO at Generator Systems LLC and its parent company, Capstone Equity Partners, said, “We want to focus on satisfying our customers’ needs for reliable backup power [...]

Sikich to host conference focused on business transformation
Sikich to host conference focused on business transformation

Sikich to host conference focused on business transformation

By Sikich LLP|2017-09-07T14:49:38+00:00September 7th, 2017|News|

Experts in accounting, technology, human resource consulting, investment banking, public relations and supply chain will offer strategic business counsel to executives NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Sept. 7, 2017 — Professional services firm Sikich LLP will host its inaugural Business Transformation Conference on Sept. 28 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. At the daylong conference, leaders from the firm’s accounting, technology, human resource consulting, investment banking, public relations and supply chain practices will share strategies to help CEOs, CFOs and other high-level decision-makers drive growth, manage and minimize risk, and conduct effective business analysis. “Executives across industries are looking for innovative strategies to differentiate their companies and improve profitability,” Sikich CEO Chris Geier said. “Our breadth of service offerings and expertise across industries put us in a unique position to share comprehensive and strategic advice on interrelated business functions. At this [...]

Non-Listed Encryption Solution Assessment (NESA) Documentation
Non-Listed Encryption Solution Assessment (NESA) Documentation

Non-Listed Encryption Solution Assessment (NESA) Documentation

By Sikich LLP|2017-10-23T15:24:58+00:00August 31st, 2017|Security|

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) previously released guidance that allows Qualified Security Assessor for Point-to-Point Encryption (QSA (P2PE)) companies to complete a document related to a non-listed encryption solution assessment (NESA) to address the following: which of the PCI SSC’s P2PE standard requirements a vendor’s solution meets, and how the solution impacts a merchant’s PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance scope. In our work with both merchants and service providers, it appears that there may be some confusion regarding what this document offers and how it should be used. Per the PCI SSC’s document, Frequently Asked Questions: Assessment Guidance for Non-Listed Encryption Solutions: The aim of a non-listed encryption solution assessment is to identify the gaps between the solution and the PCI P2PE Standard and to show how use of the solution impacts a merchant’s PCI DSS assessment. A number of payment applications in [...]

Getting People and Productivity to Rock with Office 365
Getting People and Productivity to Rock with Office 365

Getting People and Productivity to Rock with Office 365

By Sikich LLP|2017-08-24T15:34:27+00:00August 24th, 2017|Cloud, Office 365, Security|

Over the last 12 to 18 months, the concerns that business and IT managers voice when they think about the cloud have changed. It used to be that people thought the cloud was a security risk and you should never trust it with any sensitive information or business-critical applications. We don’t hear that as much anymore. Some slow adopters, companies that don’t often use new product categories or disruptive business models, may still feel that way, but the understanding of cloud security has changed for most everyone else. Security and cost savings no longer prime concerns When businesses are considering Microsoft Office 365 today, most of them recognize that Microsoft has created a global infrastructure with hyper-converged data centers and layers of physical and digital security that most companies could not research, design, create, and manage on their own. On the Microsoft [...]

Sikich releases IEM Configuration Solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise
Sikich releases IEM Configuration Solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise

Sikich releases IEM Configuration Solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise

By Sikich LLP|2017-08-28T13:28:36+00:00August 22nd, 2017|News|

Preconfigured technology solution is designed for equipment, discrete and complex product manufacturers NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Aug. 22, 2017 — Professional services firm Sikich LLP recently released the Sikich IEM Configuration Solution on Microsoft AppSource. The application is preconfigured to help equipment, discrete and complex product manufacturers quickly implement and utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise to improve efficiency, gain business insights and enhance customer service. “Our team has deep experience helping manufacturers solve business challenges with advanced technology solutions,” said Jim Drumm, partner-in-charge of Sikich’s technology practice. “We put that expertise to work in creating the IEM Configuration Solution. With this solution, manufacturers are able to more efficiently implement Dynamics 365 and leverage its many benefits for their businesses.” The Sikich IEM Configuration Solution enables improved internal tracking and costing of production and outsourced activities. It also helps manufacturers provide more accurate [...]

Scottsdale ERP Comparison
Scottsdale ERP Comparison

Scottsdale ERP Comparison

By Nichole Adams|2017-09-20T19:01:09+00:00August 13th, 2017|Comparison Event, ERP Comparison|

FAST – FORWARD YOUR ERP SELECTION PROCESS Squeeze weeks of research and scheduling into One Morning. Join us and fellow executives for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Comparison Luncheon sponsored by Microsoft, NetSuite and local consultants Sikich. Learn about licensing, integrations, workflows, differentiators and which solutions work best for companies like yours. After the presentations, lunch will be served in the bays, for an opportunity to network with your peers and play a friendly game of TopGolf. Tuesday, December 5 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM 9500 E. Talking Stick Way Scottsdale, AZ 85256 Phone: 480-240-2402 REGISTER NOW Your privacy is important to us. We'll never send spam or resell your information. The overview helps narrow down solutions for a [...]

Dallas ERP Comparison
Dallas ERP Comparison

Dallas ERP Comparison

By Nichole Adams|2017-09-20T19:02:35+00:00August 13th, 2017|Comparison Event, ERP Comparison|

FAST – FORWARD YOUR ERP SELECTION PROCESS Squeeze weeks of research and scheduling into One Morning. Join us and fellow executives for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Comparison Luncheon sponsored by Microsoft, NetSuite and local consultants Sikich. Learn about licensing, integrations, workflows, differentiators and which solutions work best for companies like yours. After the presentations, lunch will be served in the bays, for an opportunity to network with your peers and play a friendly game of TopGolf. Wednesday, November 1 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM 8787 Park Lane Dallas, TX 75231 Phone: 214-341-9600 REGISTER NOW Your privacy is important to us. We'll never send spam or resell your information. The overview helps narrow down solutions for a deep [...]