IT Audit

[sarahstacey]

Happy Friday!

 

We are looking at getting a company in to audit our IT provision, to include network provision, systems, hardware, technology, everything really.

 

Could anyone recommend such a company? We have found Novatia, has anyone used them before?

 

Many thanks for any help

 

Sarah

[Zammo]

Happy Friday!

 

We are looking at getting a company in to audit our IT provision, to include network provision, systems, hardware, technology, everything really.

 

Could anyone recommend such a company? We have found Novatia, has anyone used them before?

 

Many thanks for any help

 

Sarah

 

Most of the big players like RM, XMA, Stone etc will offer this if they believe their is a potential project in it after.

 

I haven't come across Novatia, who look like a smaller outfit but if they have come recommended that's a good start.

 

What is it you want to get out of it? i.e ammunition for requesting further investment, handing over documentation to a new IT Guy/Girl?

Edited September 25, 2020 by Zammo

[synaesthesia]

Ours was done by Novatia - found them reasonable but some of the advice was outdated/questionable - I suspect this will be the case for quite a few companies.

[mavhc]

Audit for what reason?

[EdTech-Tom]

Most of the big players like RM, XMA, Stone etc will offer this if they believe their is a potential project in it after.

 

I haven't come across Novatia, who look like a smaller outfit but if they have come recommended that's a good start.

 

What is it you want to get out of it? i.e ammunition for requesting further investment, handing over documentation to a new IT Guy/Girl?

 

Whilst this is true, we (RM, I can't talk for the others) usually charge for the audits/workshops/S&V so it's not necessarily a case of needing to have a project after the fact.

 

 

Also, great point with what you want to get out of it, as if you want to audit as a basis of building your strategy around you may want to consider a workshop session as well, whereas as Zammo mentions, if you want to get a comprehensive handover an audit will be more than enough and there'll be no need for any of the extra stuff.

[dcwhitworth]

I'd be cautious and define your terms very narrowly. Once you start allowing very broad terms of reference you'll get into areas of opinion. I'd only allow that if you have lots of good references for the company. The school employed a company to audit our IT and the report was very questionable, attempted to do a hatchet job on my team and I, failed to be system agnostic, questioned our choices of systems without providing any evidence that there were issues and came in with some fixed ideas that they tried to force on us. Had the school have bitten I'm sure their next step would have been 'And we can offer you a support service'. Largely a waste of money.

[mavhc]

Right, anyone who's also offering products/services is obviously biased towards recommending those, if those services include humans, then they'll probably say those humans are cheaper than your humans, which will be true, but will they be better?

[dmj]

As other have alluded to, the problem with companies like Novatia is that they sell services to schools, so you won't get independent advise because they will be trying to sell you additional services which will only revolve around how they intend on providing the service, which isn't necessarily what the school needs.

 

You really do need to have an idea of what you intend to get out of this; Any competent tech could script you a list of hardware and software in an hour or so - I'm guessing you're really looking for a strategic plan, or to outsource the entire system?

 

Have you considered talking to the local authority or academy trust for advice?

[simpsonj]

I can throw 9ine into the mix. They're not cheap, but won't try to sell you services afterwards either.

[paulkerton]

A lot of companies have started to limit exactly what they offer for free now. They've all switched on to schools taking advantage of the generosity to the point of breaking point for them. Happens WAY too often now. I know a few have gone to a "it costs now, but if you pay for something after, we'll discount the cost from the purchase" model instead.

 

You'd struggle to find a company willing to do a free wi-fi audit these days, let alone an entire provision.

[sarahstacey]

Thank you all for your comments and advise..

We have a new Head of IT who would like to get a handle on where we are before planning what we do next and where we want to be.

I don't think it is a bad idea but yes we don't want to have a company trying to tell us what we are doing wrong so they can sell us their products!

I will look into 9ine I have had dealings with them before and they seemed really good and not pushy.

[TechMonkey]

Thank you all for your comments and advise..

We have a new Head of IT who would like to get a handle on where we are before planning what we do next and where we want to be.

I don't think it is a bad idea but yes we don't want to have a company trying to tell us what we are doing wrong so they can sell us their products!

I will look into 9ine I have had dealings with them before and they seemed really good and not pushy.

 

Are you not able to give them a run down? What equipment you have, how old it is, life span, what services you provide, what you think you should be providing?

[The_W]

I can throw 9ine into the mix. They're not cheap, but won't try to sell you services afterwards either.

Would love to know more about your experience with 9ine as considering engaging further with them for our MAT. Could you PM me your contact details please?

[sshabir]

I have used 9ine in he past who are not bad but very very expensive. Have you tried class technology solutions as they primarily work in education.

[Uber22]

We had this company do our ce + they done a pre audit and runs some software on the end points and network and let your know recommendations amazing work.

 

Very fair and trust worth and they are small company.

 

 

https://cybersecurities.uk/