Benchmarking of Computer and Network Support Services

a network support and benchmarking technology, applied in the field of computer and network support services benchmarking, can solve the problems of difficulty in estimating a fair market price or devising an accurate formula, discrepancies between the different benchmark methodologies, and problems such as problems

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-02-07
BURCHFIELD NANCY L +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, it is difficult to estimate a fair market price or devise an accurate formula for the services prices in future years because of market dynamics.
Problems have arisen because the benchmark comparators were not equivalent to the services provided under the service contract.
This has resulted in discrepancies between the different benchmark methodologies, and a wide range between benchmark results depending on the methodology employed (cost-based or price-based) and also the normalization applied.

Method used

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  • Benchmarking of Computer and Network Support Services
  • Benchmarking of Computer and Network Support Services

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0010] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a process generally designated 20 for accurately identifying peer selection criteria for benchmarking the market price of computer hardware and program support services, network hardware and program support services, and other computer related services as well, in accordance with the present invention. As explained in more detail below, process 20 adjusts a price or cost estimated by a predefined benchmark service model for differences in service type, volume and quality to arrive at a fair benchmark cost or price for a service contract. Process 20 can be implemented entirely by a person or partially by a person and partially by a computer program 120. The description of process 20 below indicates which functions can be performed by the computer program 120.

[0011] Process 20 begins with a service contract 22 between a service provider and a customer company, and a corresponding benchmark service model 24 developed b...

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Abstract

A process and computer program product for adjusting a price derived from a benchmark computer service model to a price of a computer service contract, or vice versa. Differences in service between the benchmark computer service model and the computer service contract are determined. Then, a price adjustment due to the differences is determined. The price adjustment may be based on incremental cost of labor and tools to account for the differences between the benchmark computer service and the computer service contract. Then, the price of the benchmark computer service model is compared to the price of the computer service contract with the price adjustment. The benchmark computer service model and the computer service contract can both include computer program support services, computer hardware support services, a help desk call center service and / or network maintenance services. The differences between the benchmark computer service and the computer service contract may comprise a difference in type of a computer service, a quantity of a computer service, quality of a computer service, and / or complexity of a computer service. The differences may comprise support for a customer's computer hardware or computer programs which is more difficult to support than computer hardware or computer programs specified in the benchmark service model. The differences may comprise a service constraint in the service contract which is not present in the benchmark service model.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to techniques to benchmark the price of computer related services, and deals more particularly with a technique to accurately benchmark the market price of computer hardware and program support services, network hardware and program support services, and other computer related services. [0002] Many service providers today provide computer hardware and program support services and network hardware and program support services to other, customer companies. This can be part of a complete or partial outsourcing of these support services. These support services include support for desk top computers, work stations, laptop computers, servers and networks, management of servers and networks, and development and maintenance of software applications. These support services encompass a wide range of activities. For example, the support of programs may include installation of newer versions of software, and fixing problems rela...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06Q50/00G06Q30/00
CPCG06Q30/02G06Q99/00G06Q30/0283
Inventor BURCHFIELD, NANCY L.MAUK, CHESTER M.
Owner BURCHFIELD NANCY L
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