The itSMF brings IT service providers, and suppliers together to define highly specific, implement-able approaches to service management. We help make business sense of tools, standards and processes.
Objectives:
- Assist with the planning, development and implementation strategies of IT service management best practices
- Inform the media and industry analysts about the benefits and rapidly growing acceptance of IT service management best practices within commercial markets
- Provide guidance to other related bodies, particularly industry groups that have a vested interest in the adoption of IT service management best practices.
Background on itSMF:
The Information Technology Service Management Forum (itSMF®) is a global organization consisting of corporate and government members responsible for advancing IT best practices through the utilization of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®).
ITIL® is the only comprehensive, non-proprietary source of service management best practices that is publicly available. It contains an integrated set of well-documented processes.
Formed in 1991, the itSMF is the only organization of its kind and helps to foster the initial ITIL investment of millions of dollars. It is not dependent on any specific vendor or organization and its rules ensure its continued independence. The itSMF is non-profit and is wholly owned by its membership.
Whether an internal IT provider, a professional services firm or a software company, the itSMF offers an immediate return on investment. You can gain the experience-base of hundreds of corporations for a minimal annual investment. As an example of its effectiveness, the ITIL framework within Europe has been used to simplify the arduous process of ISO 9000 certification. To attempt to duplicate the ITIL framework would take an outlay of several million dollars and would require monthly maintenance from then on. The question really isn't "Why ITIL?" but rather, "Why use anything else?" The (CCTA/OGC) has already done the hard work. Now it's up to you to take advantage of the investment.
The itSMF is focused on critical, competitive issues such as:
- Improving the “audit-ability” of IT
- Improving customer care systems and processes
- Making multi-vendor operations a reality
- Smoothly integrating legacy systems
- Making the management of distributed computing practical and cost-effective
- Enhanced management tool requirements, selection and implementation
- Improving service level agreements
- Improving organizational effectiveness
- Evaluation and improvement of operational practices
- More effective identification and implementation of management tools
- Clearly defined IT roles and responsibilities
Members of the itSMF have access to all of the experience, material, documentation and programs generated by the International itSMF while being able to take part in the creation and development of an itSMF focused on service management business issues, needs and solutions specific to the United States.
