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Alvarez & Marsal Launches Technology Asset Management Services

Posted on: Monday, 10 September 2007, 12:00 CDT

As companies and public sector entities seek to identify ways of deriving greater value from technology investments with an eye towards lowering costs and improving performance, Alvarez & Marsal has added Technology Asset Management Services to the firm's suite of global professional services.

Led by CEO Charlie Hendrickson and senior directors Jenifer Slocum, William McManus, and Larry Stahl, and joined by new directors Carol Stemmle and Shane Philips, Alvarez & Marsal Technology Asset Management Services, LLC is designed to bridge the gap between finance and technology -- enabling companies to integrate technology spending into their overall business model, reduce operating and maintenance costs, improve efficiency of technology related processes and policies, and maximize value of technology investments.

"When organizations are experiencing significant growth, seeking to improve performance or navigating periods of change, such as mergers, changes in control or operational restructurings, technology assets can create both risks and opportunities," said Mr. Hendrickson. "The ways in which those assets are managed, particularly when it comes to the relationship between finance and technology, can play a key role in an organization's ability to realize the full value of technology investments, achieve cost savings and avoid potentially serious issues ranging from security breaches to compliance problems."

As part of IBM's Business Partner Program, A&M Technology Asset Management Services, LLC has licensed IBM's Tivoli Asset Management for IT software and integrated it with A&M's automated framework for all IT asset life-cycle decisions. The resulting, enhanced software is a powerful business process solution suite designed to automate the management of IT assets, and, ultimately, bridge the gap between finance and technology to enable organizations to manage IT assets as a core business.

"Alvarez & Marsal Technology Asset Management Services stands apart in the marketplace for two key reasons: first, an operational heritage that creates a deep understanding of the relationship between finance and technology and other functional business units and, second, a solution developed around IBM's Tivoli Asset Management for IT software, that is the most advanced asset management tool in the marketplace," said Mr. Stahl, who spent more than 30 years at IBM before joining A&M. "This unique combination enables us to offer highly-focused assessments and targeted improvements that lead to measurable results with respect to technology costs."

Prior to his appointment as CEO of A&M's Technology Asset Management Services, Mr. Hendrickson was a member of A&M Dispute Analysis & Forensic Services, assisting public sector entities in Louisiana with their business interruption claims in connection with hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Hendrickson had over 30 years experience with Big Four accounting firms, including 17 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where his most recent assignment was as the global IT finance leader. In this role, he was the finance advisor to the global CIO addressing post-merger technology integration issues resulting from the merger of two global accounting firms and was also responsible for IT asset management services. Over the course of his career he has worked closely with CEOs, CFOs and CIOs to produce maximum competitive value from technology spending. He has also advised public sector entities, including school districts and colleges and universities, on business and technology management issues.

During his more than 30 years with IBM, Mr. Stahl served as a member of the company's executive team and held various sales, management and executive positions. Most recently, he was the IBM global director for the professional services industry, including the Big Four accounting firms. In this role, he was responsible for sales, services, support, and IBM alliance efforts for these firms. He specializes in working closely with senior management to identify, validate and implement business process solutions aimed at lowering technology operating, maintenance and support costs.

With more than 26 years of experience in advanced technology services, Ms. Slocum has advised on numerous technology platform implementations, new product development initiatives, advanced technology solutions, mergers and acquisitions, and divestitures. Prior to joining A&M, she spent 19 years with the information and technology services group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she most recently served as the director for asset management services for the U.S.

Mr. McManus brings extensive experience leading large projects, including new technology and process implementation, financial modeling and policy efforts, organizational relocations, process reengineering initiatives, and operational risk and controls projects. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. McManus managed the implementation of a strategic technology program within the capital markets division of Washington Mutual. He has also served as the director of asset management services for the Americas Region with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he led the development and implementation of the information technology asset management (ITAM) system currently used to manage the firm's technology assets.

Ms. Stemmle has extensive experience in leading IT departments including new hardware and software testing, product development and certification, and training and support. In addition to IT department management, she has managed large projects involving hardware and software architectural design, planning and implementation, and has worked closely with finance and IT departments in developing solutions for acquiring, deploying and managing IT assets in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Prior to joining A&M, she was a senior manager in the asset management services group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she served as senior manager responsible for working with finance and IT to automate all aspects of the IT asset lifecycle processes.

Mr. Philips has over 15 years experience developing asset management applications, managing large systems installations, and leading a technical sales force focused on serving the asset management needs of Fortune 500 clients and public sector organizations. Mr. Philips, who is ITIL certified, has successfully implemented broader IT service management solutions, which expand beyond core ITAM functions and has been a frequent speaker at conferences sponsored by independent research firms focused on asset management issues. Prior to joining A&M, he was a technical systems engineer at IBM, leading a technical sales team focused on the implementation of IBM's Tivoli Asset Management for IT software.

Alvarez & Marsal

For nearly 25 years, Alvarez & Marsal has set the standard for working with organizations to tackle complex issues, boost performance and maximize value for stakeholders.

As the leading, independent global professional services firm, Alvarez & Marsal excels at leadership, problem solving and value creation. Whether serving in interim management or advisory roles, the firm draws on a deep operational heritage and hands-on approach to deliver comprehensive performance improvement, turnaround management and corporate advisory services to clients ranging from international enterprises to middle market companies to public sector and health care entities.

With a team of seasoned professionals based in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America, the firm provides Turnaround Management services, including Performance Improvement; Turnaround and Restructuring Advisory; Crisis & Interim Management; Risk Management Advisory; Creditor Advisory and Claims Management. A&M's services also include: Business Consulting; Real Estate Advisory; Dispute Analysis & Forensics; Corporate Finance; Tax; Transaction Advisory and Technology Asset Management.

For more information, visit www.alvarezandmarsal.com.

Source: Business Wire

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