Planning and Review Services

A successful technology initiative starts with a well-conceived plan. Our consultants can assist you in reviewing your existing and required system capacity and in formulating a strategic plan for an initial technology investment, a platform migration, a software upgrade to SQL, Ecommerce or Web, or a technology response to business growth.

Strategic Technology Planning

Every business initiative needs a plan...a road map for the future. Planning for technology advancements is a very important decision process for all businesses. Summit West CPA Group, P.C. understands that planning for the future can be complicated and confusing. However, the decisions are easier to make when you have a consultant who will help manage the decision-making process by supplying technical expertise and hands on experience.

Our specialists follow a logical approach during our planning process, beginning with a review of your current system components and discussions with key personnel and management. Next, our experts prepare a prioritized needs analysis followed by recommended solutions based upon firm wide resources, depth of experience and external technical research sources. Our planning specialists then focus on selecting reputable, experienced hardware and software providers who conform to industry standards and technology trends. Finally, we ensure system success through ongoing training, service and support.

Technology Review Services

Technology should be part of the planning process for every business. The consultants at Summit West CPA Group, P.C. have helped many businesses determine a focus and direction for technology.

An important activity within a technology planning process is the Technology Review. A Technology Review can help you answer several very important questions, including:

• Am I spending my technology dollars wisely?
• Do I have the right quantity and quality of technology support staff?
• Do I have a stable and secure technology infrastructure that can grow with me?
• Do I need a new or updated technology plan?
• What opportunities for Ebusiness exist and when should I pursue them?

Technology Reviews vary in length from one day to one month, depending upon the complexity of the review and the size of the client's business. The Technology Review is comprised of information gathering, staff interviews and report generation. Close contact with the client is maintained throughout the review and a series of recommendations are included in our report.

Internet Vulnerability Testing

Technology is constantly changing, creating new opportunities for your organization. The increased use of the Internet has been a major element of change in information technology. Though Internet usage has broadened the opportunities and services available for many organizations, it has also increased the risks and complexities of your communication networks.

Summit West CPA Group, P.C. security and technology specialists can help you achieve and maintain an environment with strong Internet controls and network controls. Our Internet and Network Vulnerability Assessment will help identify the status of your controls and create solutions to keep your network and information assets secure.

Disaster Recovery Planning

Most organizations have a high reliance on their information technology resources - equipment, software, communications and other resources. Because of the increased usage of technology, the need for continuous delivery of services is becoming an important issue in organizations. Without proper planning, there is an increased risk that your organization would be unable to survive a major disruption to the availability of your information technology resources.

Management is responsible for establishing controls to assure the availability of continuous information technology services to support the mission of the organization. This process includes establishing plans and testing plans to assure that mission-critical functions would continue to perform adequately, in the event of a major disruption to the primary information technology resources. A disaster recovery plan or business continuity plan would help achieve this objective.

Summit West's specialists and information systems auditors are trained and experienced to help you assess your current situation and develop plans to strengthen your business continuity plans.