Getting to Know Business Drivers, Benefits & Cost Levers

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to identify the main drivers for application rationalization and outline the cost levers influencing TCO.

Content

Key Takeaways

  • Business Drivers for Rationalization:
    • Improve efficiency by eliminating duplicate systems and fragmented processes.
    • Enable transformation (e.g., ERP modernization, cloud migration) with a simplified IT baseline.
    • Reduce risk by phasing out legacy, unsupported, or shadow IT systems.
    • Drive innovation by reallocating budget from redundant systems to strategic technologies (AI, automation, etc.).
  • Cost Transparency as the Foundation:
    • Break down Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) into license, maintenance, support, and infrastructure costs.
    • Use TCO insights to prioritize rationalization decisions (e.g., high-cost vs. low-value applications).
  • Outcomes of Rationalization:
    • Achieve direct cost savings and reduce application sprawl.
    • Gain intangible benefits: agility, faster decision-making, and stronger IT-business alignment.