Optisave’s Margin Improvement Methodology
October 12, 2021
Optisave’s Margin Improvement Methodology
Recognizes IT as Essential “Glue” enabling Critical Operations
IT is the GLUE which holds together the operations at hospitals and other complex organizations. It provides technologies and services that enable up-to-the-minute information, accurate and reliable communications, and protection of sensitive data. Information Technology (IT) impacts every area of a health system, from keeping the lights on, to break-fix, to implementing new initiatives.
Through our “Glue Methodology” Optisave ensures IT:
- Meets the needs of its customers
- Supports strategic priorities
- Meets financial targets
- Creates improved staff efficiency
- Ensures transparency
- Provides valuable decision-making data
For more than twenty years, Optisave has been ensuring our over 400 clients CAN and DO deliver on Key IT Priorities, which affect the very lifeblood of the organization:
- Keep the Lights on
- Enhanced Patient Experience
- Plan, Prioritize & Deliver Technology
- Efficiency & Transparency
IT is a tie that binds countless critical areas which keep hospitals running and able to meet their goals of delivering the highest levels of patient care, research and important projects, and fostering workforce efficiency while reducing burnout among healthcare providers:
| Applications | Infrastructure | Workforce | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute EMR | Hardware/Software | FTEs | Voice, Data, & Internet |
| Ambulatory EMR | Storage | Contractors | Wireless |
| Ancillary/Other | Disaster Recovery | Outsourcing | Digital Front Door |
| ERP/Financial | Security | Staff Augmentation | Conferencing |
| Revenue Cycle | Client Devices | Distributed IT | Legacy Phone Systems |
| Business Intel | Cloud/Hosting | Remote Workers | Collaboration |
OPTISAVE UNDERSTANDS THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF IT, AND MAKES SIGNIFICANT, VITAL IMPACT FOR CLIENTS. READ OUR CASE STUDY:
For a large Houston-Based medical center, Optisave identified $9M total annual IT cost savings, completing over 28 initiatives, with several important results and process improvements:
- Partnered with IT executive team to understand technology roadmap and strategic plan
- Collaborated with hospital’s legal department to develop standardized multi-vendor IT Contract template
- Provided insight on IT Governance, eliminating duplication of vendor(s) selected for overlapping/existing services
- Leveraged existing strength of hospital’s vendor relationships to negotiate cost reductions based on utilization and pricing strategies
- Worked as trusted advisors to provider’s IT department. The strong working relationship led to beneficial departmental support and more sharing of data and existing vendor relationship context
Contact Optisave to develop an optimal IT strategy for your organization to include strategic sourcing, cost reduction, and performance maximization. Ensure the strength of your vision.
Evan Katzman
Managing Director at Optisave, LLC
Additional Blog Posts
Most health systems pay for support and/or maintenance on hardware and software on an annual or multi-year basis. This includes clinical and financial software applications and desktop and network equipment, as well as data center hardware and software. Usually, support is manufacturer-provided and purchased either directly or through a Value Added Reseller (VAR). Third Party Maintenance (TPM) - Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-authorized/OEM-independent maintenance – is increasingly common in the hardware and software support market, with a thriving ecosystem of independent support providers for specific software, server, storage and networking equipment. IT organizations selectively use TPM providers to cost-effectively extend IT asset life and control OEM-forced upgrades. TPM, also known as aftermarket hardware and/or software support or post-warranty support, is popular when equipment warranty or service agreements end. TPM can be a cost-effective alternative to OEM support. TPM can offer multiple benefits: Cost: TPM providers are typcially significantly less expensive than the OEM Flexibility: TPM can be more flexible than OEM support. Responsiveness: TPM can often be more responsive to issues than OEM support. Communication: TPM providers are directly linked to OEM Level 3 support. Expertise: TPM providers offer broad expertise in hardware/software brands and manufacturers. Remote monitoring: TPM can provide remote monitoring to help identify potential network issues that could expose company data to cyber threats. TPM services can include: Software support including security patching Hardware support to include Replacement or repair of hardware On-site engineering assistance Remote monitoring Operating support Data backup CASE STUDIES A Southwest children’s hospital was renewing hardware support on its data storage equipment. After thorough evaluation of its requirements, they decided to identify and solicit bids for 3rd party support for one year. One requirement was that the selected vendor had certified engineers and replacement hardware, if needed. Additionally, the vendor needed to have the ability to integrate into the hospital’s trouble ticket system. With Optisave’s guidance, an appropriate 3rd party vendor was selected, and at a 60% lower cost than OEM support. The Microsoft Unified Support agreement was coming up for renewal at large Mid-Atlantic health system. Renewal cost was far greater than the health system had budgeted so they were willing to look outside Microsoft for support. Several qualified vendors were identified and an RFI was issued. Ultimately the health system worked with Optisave experts to select a vendor that not only had a significant amount of experience with health systems, but was also more than half the cost of what Microsoft was going to charge for the renewal. Optisave works with healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and other complex organizations to determine whether Third Party Maintenance is right for them and select the ideal provider. Contact us today to start a conversation.
Contact Centers play a crucial role in achieving superior customer service. This may include Digital Front Door, Internal Help Desk, and all other communications contacts, internal or external to the organization, inbound, outbound, or blended.
Optisave’s integrated advisory services provide solutions to key IT issues challenging organizations today. With consolidation and reorganization in complex industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and financial services, an important, yet often overlooked factor is how to optimize IT products and services after organizational transition.
