Ci&T Outlines Top Tactics to Streamline IT Operations

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA--(Marketwire - August 18, 2009) - Ci&T (www.ciandt.com), a consulting and
technology outsourcing services company, today identified the top actions
companies can take to streamline bloated IT operations, increase agility
and provide an immediate return on investment.

With the current economy, companies are increasingly scrutinizing their
operations, analyzing how money is spent and trying to minimize
inefficiencies, particularly in IT operations. Through its work with
companies in diverse industries such as media and entertainment, consumer
packaged goods and financial services, Ci&T has helped streamline
implementations and eliminate waste by following the principles of lean IT.
This philosophy has helped the company provide more than 80 percent of the
promised value of projects with just 50 percent of the traditional budget.

Inspired by the Toyota manufacturing model, lean IT focuses on eliminating
waste, understanding how value is perceived by customers and making only
what is requested by the customer. This approach allows companies to
simultaneously improve cost, quality, speed and agility, while eliminating
extra inventory. By recognizing the difference between speed and agility,
companies are able to implement the right projects at the right speed to
generate the right return.

Ci&T has identified three specific ways companies can streamline operations
to generate fast return on investment (ROI) and future-proof their
businesses.

1. Make every project a strategic decision -- With many companies
struggling to weather these challenging times, it is imperative that
any new implementations be fully scoped to business needs to ensure
companies achieve tangible benefits from the project. Before starting
a project, ask: "Is this the right thing to do?"

2. Break down projects in commensurable value pieces -- Do not discuss
projects in terms of cost and functionality, but in terms of value-add.
Cost and features will be part of the equation regardless, but by
discussing value at all times and at all levels, business and
technology suddenly meld together and prioritization decisions can be
correctly made.

3. Generate the right returns -- IT departments can find plenty of
projects that promise a huge ROI, however if that promise lies too far
in the future, often it may get lost along the way. Instead, deliver
smaller pieces of value more often, with short wins feeding back
initiatives and gaining momentum for the long run.

"Companies need to ensure they are receiving the best value from all of
their operations," said Leonardo Mattiazzi, vice president of international
business at Ci&T. "Organizations that are able to realize increased
benefits at a fraction of the investment cost are able to work more
efficiently within the current economy, and will be better positioned for
success once it rebounds."

About Ci&T:

Ci&T delivers consulting, application outsourcing and digital marketing
services in a unique way. Its "best-of-all-worlds" model combines the
efficiency of offshore development with the convenience of a Western
Hemisphere partner. Development centers in Brazil put creative marketing
and technology expertise in near-local time zones, saving clients time and
money and helping them to gain competitive advantages with a proven,
real-time development partner. Ci&T specializes in customized application
development, business intelligence, SAP consulting, digital marketing and
Web 2.0 applications. Its clients include a diverse array of large and
global Fortune 500 customers in the United States, Brazil and Europe. For
more information, please visit www.ciandt.com.