Microsoft aims to smooth the way for project funding

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS
08/10/05
Today's focus: Microsoft aims to smooth the way for project
funding

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Microsoft releases Rapid Economic Justification Guide
* Links related to Windows Networking Tips
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Microsoft aims to smooth the way for project
funding

By Dave Kearns

One of the hardest parts of any IT manager's job is trying to
convince the CXOs that it's a good idea to spend a bunch of
money on a technology project. Microsoft wants to help. Not only
because it's likely that anyone reading this newsletter would be
looking to fund a technology project based on Microsoft
software, but also because (I'm surmising) by helping you solve
a major non-technical problem, your image of the company might
change. "Beast of Redmond" is one of the frequent pejorative
names associated with the company and one of the few that I can
use if I don't want this newsletter blocked by your smut
filters.

As I said, Microsoft wants to help, so it has released the Rapid
Economic Justification (REJ) Guide and an accompanying REJ
worksheet to collect data. Microsoft describes REJ as a tool
that: "simplifies the process of effectively researching,
preparing, and presenting your project analysis into manageable,
easy-to-follow steps-whether you create the necessary reports
and presentation yourself or you enlist a Microsoft partner to
help you." (Ah, a bit of a sop for the long suffering vendors
that actually sell and support the Microsoft products!)

<aside> Microsoft is out to butter you up, too. The page
describing the guide
<http://www.microsoft.com/business/enterprise/value.mspx>
starts: "As your organization's IT leader and visionary, you're
the one who identifies the technology projects that can yield
great business benefits to the company." If only your boss felt
that way! </aside>

Joking aside, though, REJ can make your presentation more
effective. It isn't enough to identify the problem as well as
the solution - you need to make the case for spending a finite
number of dollars on your project rather than on something the
marketing department wants. Among the things you'll find in the
guide are:

* The steps required to verify and demonstrate that your
  proposal aligns with your organization's overall business
  strategies and goals.
  * Easy-to-use tools and techniques designed to assess your
  project's financial impact.
  * A six-step economic justification process that walks you
  through financial analytics ranging from cash flows to returns
  on investment scenarios.
  * Worksheets, tables, and a project schedule that you can use to
  research, create, and present your IT analytics and reports to
  senior management.
  * A preview checklist you can use to collect feedback about your
  project findings before you go live with your presentation.
  * Listings of additional books and online resources that may
  assist you in making your business case.

It's hard getting budget approval for the things you know your
organization really needs so why not get all the help that you
can? Download the Guide
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4746>,) and the data
collection worksheet ,( <http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4747>
and start planning your next project right now.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. New York courts find security in IP video
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080805-ip-video.html?t5>

2. Microsoft settles with 'Spam King' for $7 million
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4748>

3. German bank launches new system to combat phishing
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4749>

4. Anti-spyware firm warns of massive ID theft ring
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080505-id-theft.html?t5>

5. Crashing the 'Net
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/080805buzz.html?t5>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by ScriptLogic Corporation
FREE eBook: Secure Enterprise Servers

Need to shield your Windows enterprise servers from bugs and
other vulnerabilities? Download chapter 6 of ScriptLogic's FREE
eBook and learn valuable tips in crucial areas of server
security including access controls, service management, server
lockdown, and authentication security. Download this FREE eBook
now to secure servers throughout your enterprise.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109426
_______________________________________________________________
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