session pm-4 cost justifying a handheld computing strategy don sorcinelli bostonpocketpc.com
TRANSCRIPT
Session PM-4Cost Justifying A Handheld
Computing StrategyDon Sorcinelli
BostonPocketPC.com
Agenda
• Introduction• Initial Observations• Notes/Caveats• Developing and Planning a Complete
Handheld Strategy• Identifying Direct ROI/Cost Savings• Identifying and Quantifying “Soft Dollar”
Benefits• Presenting a “Total Solution”
Introduction
• I have been involved with PDAs for over 5 years– End-user– Consultant
• PDA Deployments
• PDA Application Development
Initial Observations
• From an IT perspective, handhelds are “just another technology”– Needs assessment– Planning– Cost Justification
• In today’s IT world, cost justification is more important than ever before
• Developing a complete business plan is essential for approval
Notes/Caveats
• Notes– Handheld =
• Handheld PC• PDA• Smartphone
• Caveats– Every project is different
• While general rules can be applied, there is no “one size fits all” solution
– This is a 45-minute presentation• The goal – “Food for Thought”
Developing and Planning a Complete Handheld
Strategy
• Setting Business Objectives
• Identifying Needs
Setting Business Goals
• Goals for a handheld deployment project must be specific– HINT – “Because users want them”
probably will not work
• Goals should be as quantifiable as possible
Identifying Needs
• A complete needs assessment can potentially save on initial costs
• Considerations:– Will handhelds replace notebook computers?
– Can less expensive handhelds meet needs?
– Can existing handhelds with upgraded hardware/software suffice?
– Can implementation be phased in?
Identifying Direct ROI/Cost Savings
• Determining Fixed Costs
• Types of Implementations and Impact
Determining Fixed Costs
• Strategies and costs– “In place of” implementations– “In addition to” implementations
• The type of strategy implemented can affect short and long-term ROI
“In Place Of” Implementations
• The handheld device will be deployed in place of a notebook computer– Typically used for workers who already
use a desktop computer, but require some mobility (either in or outside the office)
• The initial costs for hardware are typically less
• The long-term Total Cost of Ownership (“TCO”) is typically less
“In Place Of” Implementations (Cont.)
Proposed Solution Average Notebook Cost
New Hardware (and accessory) Cost
Cost Savings
Pocket PC replacing notebook
$2000 USD Pocket PC - $750 USD
$1250 USD
Pocket PC and desktop computer replacing notebook
$2000 USD Pocket PC - $750 USD
Desktop - $1000 USD
$250 USD
Cost Savings Scenario
“In Place Of” Implementations (Cont.)
• On average, PDA TCO is typically 25% of notebook TCO
• Annual Average TCO– Notebook = $2,500– PDA = $10,000
“In Addition To” Implementations
• The handheld device will be deployed in addition to other mobile hardware– Notebook– Cellular
• By comparison to “In Place Of” implementations, greater emphasis will need to be placed on ROI beyond implementation
Identifying and Quantifying “Soft Dollar”
Benefits
• Processes for quantifying productivity
• Applying cost savings in productivity to ROI
Processes for Quantifying Productivity
• The Basic Premise– Increased productivity results in time
savings– Capturing the time saved results provides
a means of quantifying dollars saved
• There are any of a number of ways of capturing and calculating the benefits– You may already have the processes in
place
Quantifying Productivity Example
• Employee Annual Salary = $50,000– Hourly Salary = $24.04
• Goals– Provide access to critical business
information in a timely fashion– Provide access to training information
Quantifying Productivity Example (Cont.)
Activity Old Process Time and Cost
New Process Time and Cost
Difference
Determine customer balance
Contact person at home office
10 min. - $4.00
Look at spreadsheet synchronized daily to Pocket PC
30 seconds - $0.20
$3.80 per occurrence
Retrieve latest pricing
Contact person at home office
10 min - $4.00
Look at PDF file synchronized daily to Pocket PC
1 minute - $0.40
$3.60 per occurrence
Access latest sales training presentation
Read hardcopy of presentation slides/notesContact others for more information
1 hour - $24.04
Watch RealOne or Windows Media version of the presentation with audio
25 minutes - $10.02
$14.02 per occurrence
Presenting A “Total Solution”
• Treat the presentation of a handheld deployment project with the same respect as any other IT project
• The more data, the better– Business Case– Project Plans– Schedules
Summary
• Cost justifying a handheld deployment is not impossible– It can be time-consuming– It is worth the effort when the project is
approved
• Due diligence and research can usually provide all the necessary information
Questions?
Thank You
Reminder:
• Please be sure to complete your session evaluation forms and place them in the box outside the room. We appreciate your feedback.