Parsys Selects CNET Channel DataSource™ to Provide Highly Efficient Technology Information Management and Cost Control Services to Clients

A major player in the European technology services market, Parsys offers unique information system management solutions (management of installed base, scaleable rentals, etc.) allowing for better cost control of data processing expenses. The high level of expertise required means that consultants have to keep up with the rapid pace of change in new technologies. CNET Channel provides Parsys with complete and up-to-date product information on computer products currently available on the market, enabling the firm to enhance the quality and efficiency of the tools and services it provides.

The Parsys approach consists in "linking" and resolving apparently diverging customer challenges, including technological, organizational, and economic issues. In order to respond to customer requirements, and to contribute to cost reduction efforts, Parsys requires structured product information on demand in the form of data feeds.

For this purpose, Parsys chose DataSource, a dynamic product catalogue maintenance service offered by CNET Channel. DataSource transforms, on demand, the customer's product portfolio into rich, granular, and standardized product data, called Transactive Product Data™ (TPD). This Internet-enabled technology lets customers download up-to-date data and store it locally, adding to their own existing information base. This allows Parsys to gradually generate a historical database which serves as a reference for managing full product traceability, logging everything from the original system characteristics to the final configuration recovered at contract term.

Managing technology assets effectively requires intelligent product data management

Parsys' objective is to provide customers with all of the tools and expertise necessary for evolving their information systems, while respecting predefined targets in terms of economy. CNET Channel's product data services let Parsys:

• Access all technical data concerning customer IT installed base
• Send this data directly to their invoicing system: in the Parsys ERP system, each line item in the invoice provides a brief description of the equipment being financed
• Use the extranet to provide quality product information via customer access, meeting their requirements for regular technology upgrades
• Facilitate audits and installed base recovery:
  
  In an audit context, DataSource provides precise technical specifications to assist consultants in recommending effective solutions for installed base upgrades (versions upgrades, increased capacity, extensions, etc.). This process requires having up-to-date information at the expert's fingertips in order to provide accurate cost and financing simulations.
  
  In a re-marketing context, in order to resell obsolete equipment on the second hand market, having accurate product descriptions is even more vital-- since the product is no longer being sold by the manufacturer! In such cases, the product data provided by DataSource makes it possible to perform itemized inspection of equipment recovered at the term of the contract, better meet requirements for short-term rentals: in their short term equipment rental business, DataSource helps Parsys customers to choose the equipment best suited to their needs  
• Enhance competitive intelligence

"It is vital for us to have access to detailed descriptions of IT equipment," says Philippe Jezequel, Director Consulting & IT Services of Parsys. "We can then draw upon that information to leverage it in all of our offers-- in producing optimization or scalability scenarios, or for IT cost control purposes. Our purpose is to obtain product data for as many hardware and software products as possible. To date, we currently have access to 30 000 articles. We have asked CNET Channel to synchronize our catalogue with those of Tech Data and Ingram."

A major objective: cost reduction

Parsys started working with CNET Channel at the end of 2001. DataSource was up and running inside of a month. Yet only three members of staff work in-house: The Chief Information Officer, a developer and a consultant. Today, the solution has been fully rolled out and is operational, and only one person is required for maintenance purposes.

Parsys is expecting significant ROI from the use of DataSource and hopes to reduce production costs, while improving productivity. "We are expecting significant gains in productivity, since thanks to the use of DataSource, we can already provide improved service," comments Philippe Jezequel. "The quality of product information is a major asset, as it facilitates data entry and the assessment process, thus enhancing our consultants' workflow. Data is processed automatically, which saves a considerable amount of time. All of the articles are now managed in-house by a single person, thanks to the advanced features available in DataSource. Ultimately, we have remained focused on what makes us stand out from the crowd. We can now save precious time to devote to our core activity, and by using DataSource we gain in consistency, performance and efficiency."

Benefits from using CNET Channel's DataSource

• Reduce costs in the capture and maintenance of business critical product data. Go global with additional markets and languages at a marginal cost.
• Consistency through matching product references
• Attract and convert users with quality product data.
• Easily add new functionality to a commerce platform.
• Power all database-related tools and services with the same quality product information, ensuring cross-company standardization.

About Parsys

The PARSYS group is a major player in the Information Systems facilities management market. Providing services and consulting facilities, their mission is to help customers optimize both cost management, enterprise-wide scalability and technology upgrades, in an economical approach. With an average annual growth rate of 40% over the past 10 years, the PARSYS Group is a major player in a strong market. Today, Parsys has extended its offer to include services and consulting in information systems. Its core activities include integrated management of technology assets, consulting in organization and information systems, and provision of services for integration of distributed environments. PARSYS is present in France (8 branch offices) in the Netherlands, in Spain, in Belgium, in Switzerland and in Italy. Already a prime contender in France, Parsys intends becoming a major player in all major European markets.