Blackline Logo
Toggle navigation

Solution Design

Overview

Black Line’s Solution Design is a formal process to evaluate a Client’s IT needs, communicate the business case, document requirements of an IT initiative, define possible solutions, break out available options and propose associated budgetary numbers. In addition, a Solution Design also defines assumptions Black Line is making and identify any risks the Client may have related to the initiative. Primary components

  • Business case

  • Goals

  • Objectives

  • Requirements

  • Solutions/Options

  • Assumptions/Risks

  • Budgetary/terms

Technical Solutions -Server Solutions:- Server Design

  • Server Upgrades

  • Server Transition

  • **Security Solutions:**Solutions to protect your data and systems from malicious attack and compromise

  • Firewalls

  • Virus, Malware, Ransomware protection

  • Anti-Spam

  • Multi-factor authentication

  • Encryption

  • **Cloud:**Off premise systems hosted by a third party provider

  • Infrastructure (servers, business applications)

  • Storage (centralized and Internet based storage)

  • Services (Email, SPAM, Virus)

  • **Backup:**Data protection solutions, business continuity and disaster recovery

  • On-premise

  • Cloud

  • Hybrid solutions

  • Disaster recovery solutions

  • **Storage Solutions:**Large data storage solutions and redundancy

  • Storage area networks

  • Networked attached storage

Virtualization: Server virtualization limiting physical hardware requirements

  • **Redundancy:**General IT redundancy for failover and contingency plans
  • **Remote Accessibility:**Remote system accessibility to on-premise data and systems
  • **Server Room:**Physical design, configuration and implementation of server room components
  • **Wiring and Cabling:**General wiring and cabling providing connectivity between network components
  • **Power Backup Solutions:**Power conditioning and power stability solutions -Email Systems- **Productivity Systems:**End user productivity tools such as Outlook , Word and Excel
  • **Other peripherals:**Network attached devices, phones, tablets, special operational equipment.

Why Does This Matter?

The comprehensive documentation that is produced in a Solution Design is essential in setting the appropriate Client expectations related to the IT initiative. Centralizing all the information into one deliverable significantly increases the probability Client expectations will be met and Black Line team members will achieve the initiative’s objectives. It eliminates “word-of-mouth” or “tribal knowledge” based solutions and becomes an business artifact available to validate the initiative’s objective and leverage if needed for future efforts. Financial agreements and possible adjustments to those agreements is documented and therefore can be leverage if needed for a dispute. In short, the Solution Design ensures the entire BL Team is aware of the numerous details related to the Client initiative and offers a high level of quality of the solution, financial and technological success

What Value Does This Add?

  • Architecture
  • Standards
  • Security
  • Scalability

Common Problems

  • Mismatched IT solutions
  • Over/Under engineered IT solutions
  • Bait&switch proposals
  • Lack of transparency
  • Surprise costs
  • Unexpected downtime, business interruption
  • Ineffective solutions
  • Initiatives not meeting intended outcomes

Why Is A Solution Needed?

Having a proposed Solution Design documented provides a Business Leader with the formal documentation needed to gain consensus on the many details necessary for an IT initiative. IT Solutions can be complex and address many business objectives, therefore having those objectives defined along with the associated solutions significantly increases the chances of success.

Business Leaders are provided financial expectations, terms and other possible financial risks before the initiatives are conducted, providing accountability for both Client and Black Line

Not all IT Solutions are created equal, the Solution Design process focuses on matching IT products and services to the very specific needs of each Client. The Client can be confident their IT solution with neither be over-engineered or under-engineered thus meeting both financial and business objectives.

What To Expect

Business Leaders can expect

  • Comprehensive evaluation and solution

  • No missing components of a solution

  • High level of interaction & communication & planning w/ client

  • Planning of improvements, impacts, risks for project

  • Rollback and contingency planning

  • Planning around business schedule and activities

    Avoiding down time & inconvenience as much as possible

  • Expect accuracy w/ any hardware/software costs estimates (purchasing)

  • Expect financial and timeline accuracy

  • Budget and time will be exact with fluctuations brought to client and approved first

    Options and solution collaboration

End Users can expect

  • Training
  • Business process changes
  • Work flow changes

How Does Black Line Do It Better?

  • Solutions truly aligned with a business objective, many IT Providers implement what they know and what costs the most, not what the organization actually needs

    Expect financial and timeline accuracy

  • Budget and time will be exact with fluctuations brought to client and approved first

  • Hold true unless assumptions changed - these changes are brought to client and approved first

  • We will scope and propose the RIGHT HARDWARE & SOFTWARE SOLUTION

  • Business needs/size/budget/abilities are different and there isn’t a one-size fits all solution