Any technology company seeking to leverage the channel for revenue growth must build and maintain strong relationships across their Business Web Domain™, the complex network of relationships among customers, partners, suppliers and employees. Improved use of technology, tools and business processes optimizes the exchange of ideas, information and data throughout a Business Web Domain.

eChannels refers to the information systems, automated processes and flow of information and data that enhances a modern channel. X2M optimizes the
e-enablement of the channel, bridging the gap between technology systems, human interaction and business processes.

The X2M eChannels service will improve channel partnerships, create a competitive advantage and reduce the overall cost of doing business

Services

>  Channel Technology and Process Assessment

>  Gap Analysis

>  Competitive SWOT Analysis

>  Channel Information Systems Optimization

>  Channel Process Optimization

>  Data Assessment and Management Strategy

>  Rightsourcing Evaluation

Channel Technology and Process Assessment
Starting with an inventory of all data flowing through processes and underlying information systems, X2M builds a comprehensive model of the channel technology infrastructure. Analysts then map channel business processes to understand the flow of information throughout the Business Web Domain™.

X2M has found that a critical component of the Channel Technology and Process Assessment is primary research about customers' or partners' interactions with systems and information. The insight gained from this task, combined with the internal view of a company's channel technology investment, provides a holistic understanding of the current channel information ecosystem.

Gap Analysis
Building on a Channel Technology and Process Assessment, Gap Analysis focuses on identifying variances in the current performance as measured against the expectations of customers, partners, employees and suppliers - the Business Web Domain™. X2M analysts highlight specific components of information systems and business processes that are causing inefficiencies, hindering sales, increasing operational costs and failing to meet customer expectations.

Competitive SWOT Analysis
Created for companies seeking to build a competitive advantage through technology and automated processes, the X2M Competitive SWOT Analysis helps organizations provide better service, faster transaction possessing or better management of shared data.

X2M relies on our broad technology channel expertise and business intelligence gathering techniques to locate and analyze information about the competitive landscape. Our Competitive SWOT Analysis provides a guide for prioritizing eChannels infrastructure investment and a roadmap for implementation.

Channel Information Systems Optimization
This offering extends the X2M Channel Technology and Process Assessment, X2M Gap Analysis and X2M SWOT Analysis offerings. Built on a comprehensive investigation of the real-world operation of our clients' information systems X2M delivers insight that helps business to improve the functioning their eChannels infrastructure.

Incorporating information on the internal and external use of the eChannels infrastructure, human and system-to-system interactions, and plans for future extension of internal and partner systems, X2M analysts recommend short-term and long-term changes that will produce the most positive impact.

Channel Process Optimization
X2M has found that many channel processes contain points of manual data exchange, undocumented, unclear or contradictory requirements and actions that introduce errors or slow the flow of information. Additionally, information is often captured inefficiently, causing rework at other points in the process. X2M Channel Process Optimization services provide an assessment of current processes and actionable recommendations for improvements.

Starting with a strong understanding of channel dynamics, X2M analysts identify the processes most likely to benefit from optimization. Internal and external processes are mapped and points of intersection highlighted. We pay special attention to identify places where manual transferring of data could be automated, and where sub-processes introduce errors, obscure results or introduce unnecessary complexity. Our analysis contains short-term and long-term recommendations for optimally functioning eChannels business processes.

Data Assessment and Management Strategy
Extremely valuable data is constantly generated throughout a functioning channel. All channel partners contribute pieces of data through their interactions. Transactional point of sales reporting (PSR) data, customer and partner profiles, licensing, shipping, special pricing, service, marketing results, and policy information are examples of data types providing value to technology companies. Much of this information resides with individual employees or in unknown, decentralized data stores that are hard to access.

The X2M Data Assessment and Management Strategy service starts with a complete inventory of all the data types a client's channel operations generate. We dig deep to understand the full scope of available data and assess the viability of capturing and providing access to this information.

Our assessment provides a strategy for capturing and using the information available throughout a company's eChannels systems. X2M delivers a comprehensive roadmap detailing the short-term and long-term steps required.

Rightsourcing Evaluation
The X2M principals have a long history of sourcing technology solutions. From near-shore to offshore and in-house to out-sourced, opportunities exist to improve service levels and reduce costs

X2M believes that a thoughtful evaluation all options for sourcing service products will help companies maximize their investment in personnel and resources. Rightsourcing means taking a holistic view of a company's long-term business strategy, resources, capabilities and assets. X2M's company principals believe that the concept of rightsourcing does not always come down to a strict evaluation of unit cost-saving.

The X2M Rightsourcing Evaluation builds on all our other eChannels services to provide insight into optimal approaches and developing and managing channel-focused business processes and technology infrastructure. We use our expertise with the delivery and operation of information systems; our knowledge of technology service sourcing options; our understanding of channel dynamics; our ability to gather and analyze competitive business intelligence; and our own assessment of a company's current eChannels infrastructure.