Arthur Andersen Management Consultants yesterday announced a new Total Support Service, promising that we take on the technology – you take on the business – and the competition. Arthur Andersen reckons that although the cost of hardware may be falling, when it comes to staffing their computer installations many companies are coming in for a […]
Arthur Andersen Management Consultants yesterday announced a new Total Support Service, promising that we take on the technology – you take on the business – and the competition. Arthur Andersen reckons that although the cost of hardware may be falling, when it comes to staffing their computer installations many companies are coming in for a big surprise. With its new facilities management service it hopes to overcomethe continual problem that those responsible for buying computers aren’t computer people and those running them aren’t businessmen. It claims its Total Support Service differs from typical man-agement in that it provides development, installation, operation and support for new and existing systems as well as managing networks and taking responsibility for all a client’s information and computing requirements. In some cases this mean taking over a company’s computer equipment and possibly even responsibility for its staff. It says its experience in strategic planning, corporate financing, tax, marketing and the computer industry – the consultancy was involved in the first computer installation at General Electric in the 1950s – will be in its favour when working on future projects. With 11,000 consultants and offices worldwide Arthur Andersen believes it has a strong base to build on. Over the last couple of years it has invested in hardware – it now has an IBM 3090 and 3080 – software, premises and people and intends to make a multi-million pound investment during the next two years. At present there are 650 consultants in the UK, 80% working on information technology, and another 200 are to be recruited in the coming year. This is in addition to around 500 information technology people the consultancy expects to gain when it takes responsibility for client’s own computing staff. Arthurs is already doing facilities management at at a major unidentified European bank, and talks are going on with a national UK bank and various other companies. Typically it will be providing and supporting DEC VAX 8700s, IBM 4300s and 3090s. Prices vary depending on the service required.
