Information Technology and Communications Audit      

The key focus of the ITC audit is the evaluation, with reference to the robustness, appropriateness and business relevance, system performance and reliability of the IT systems within small-business operations. 

If you wish to proceed to the first step of requesting an ITC Audit, please click on one of the following links (note that these links are included further down the page): -

Short ITC Audit Questionnaire - This shortened format of the full ITC Audit Questionnaire allows you to provide a "bare  minimum" of information to us prior to any engagement.

Full ITC Audit Questionnaire - For those of you wishing to receive a more detailed appraisal of your IT systems, this full questionnaire allows you to provide us with  sufficient information.

Self-assessment Questionnaire - This tool allows you to make a relatively quick assessment of your general IT issues.  It produces a score which allows you to assess whether you could benefit from a visit by our systems specialist.

The key objective of the ITC audit is to verify that the information generation process and the logic of the capture and reporting systems deliver accurate and timely performance information in a format that allows positive and commercially aware decisions to be made by management.  Additionally, the experience and knowledge of these systems, processes and the usefulness of their commercial outcomes is a unique specialty of The Business Solutions Shop (see our Core Competencies).

Ideally, SME operators should be able to get all the ITC and business performance advice and help from one place, where both total IT performance is completely integrated into business information and performance solutions - effectively, a ONE-STOP shop for trusted integrated IT and business performance advice. 

It is rare to find any one organisation that is professionally capable of delivering this end-to-end service - that was until The Business Solutions Shop arrived.

Key ITC Audit areas examined for Information Performance and Business Relevance

• Existing business software applications - versions, functionality, compatibility and data delivery performance

• Business performance reporting - report format, relevance, accuracy, timing

• Network connectivity, efficiencies and robustness - system performance, file formatting

• Network efficiencies and robustness - e.g. compatibility, performance, general status

• General PC usage capability - assessment of employee knowledge, competence and use of standard Microsoft Office suite of tools (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook)

ITC Audit Objectives

• To determine the quality and relevance of the business information generation and flow in SME business operations so that information output is formatted for quality commercial decision-making.

• To conduct an individual operational questionnaire examining knowledge of IT systems and products, level of satisfaction with existing IT environment and satisfaction with IT service providers - see "ITC Service Evaluation" below.

• To provide a systematic evaluation of hardware, software and associated peripheral appliances in relation to their functional role and business output.  

• To create a report on the status of the IT environment and provide a range of recommendations to improve business information quality and the delivery process.

ITC Audit Approach

In order for the ITC Audit to produce meaningful and relevant outcomes, the following  must be understood before commencement: -

• An ITC pre-Audit Questionnaire must be filled out prior to the commencement of any work.

• The ITC Audit process has to be conducted on-site.  Often a business owner's (or their staff's) perception of their ITC issues and their ITC setup can be different to the reality of the situation.  Working together with the business in your environment ensures that all relevant parts and processes that make up your business are analysed and included for consideration.

• Access to relevant staff must be provided.  A vital component of the audit process will involve interviews and discussions with staff at differing levels of the business.

• If a third-party software vendor is involved then it may be relevant to have them involved.

ITC Audit Outcomes

The key output of the ITC Audit will be a report detailing the following: -

• Business overview and goals

• Key business processes

• Current ITC setup, inventory, perceived issues and cost breakdowns

• Audit Findings

• Recommendations and plans

Requesting an ITC Audit

If you are interested in engaging The Business Solutions Shop to perform an ITC Audit for your business, please click on one of the following links.  Please note as stated in our Terms & Conditions of Engagement, a minimum level of disclosure concerning your business operation is required before any work is undertaken.

Self-assessment Questionnaire

Short ITC Audit Questionnaire

Full ITC Audit Questionnaire

This tool allows you to make a relatively quick assessment of your general IT issues.  It produces a score which allows you to assess whether you could benefit from a visit by our systems specialist.

We recognise that time is precious to you.  This shortened format of the full ITC Audit Questionnaire allows you to provide a "bare  minimum" of information to us prior to any engagement.

For those of you wishing to receive a more detailed appraisal of your IT systems, this full questionnaire allows you to provide us with sufficient detail.

Post ITC Audit Actions

At the conclusion of the Audit process, the business owner will be presented with recommendations for change to their ITC setup and/or business processes.  The Business Solutions Shop has the necessary expertise, skills and experience to assist in the planning and implementation of these recommendations.  The following details our core competencies and the things you should consider when assessing your own ITC service needs.

Core Competencies of The Business Solutions Shop

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• Assessing and purchasing business hardware, software and systems - making sure the money you spend on your IT purchases actually delivers the information and processes that benefit your business

• ITC Problem Solving - evaluating and solving common problems such as ‘bugs’, errors and performance issues in PC software, web sites, InterNet (email & browsers), virus and spy-ware scanning

• ITC Management – developing and managing plans for the integration, performance, cost-effectiveness and output of all system functions.  In effect, we offer to become the company’s “ex-officio” IT manager, taking both ‘ownership’ and ‘responsibility’ for delivery, including interfacing with third party providers

• MS Office Training – user training in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, the three most highly used software applications in the world.  Not just formal training, but little known ‘tricks of the trade’ which provide short cuts to user competence.

• Network and PC data structure set up – structured and logical approach to hardware and software purchase, maintenance and  integration with specific relevance to business model.  Framework for file organisation, reporting formats, data consolidation.

• Web Site Creation – evaluating the business benefits and mechanisms for using the InterNet to improve company exposure and trading opportunities.  Preparing the business case, designing the web site, prototyping and organising the construction and hosting of the site.

• Relational database design and build – preparing the business case for having a db, structuring the data files, data capture methods and search facility, data storage and business use of database marketing

ITC Service Evaluation

How many times have you experienced frustration when attempting to solve the myriad of problems affecting your IT systems eg. a reporting system is not functioning correctly and the software vendor does not accept that the issue is within their software.  And when they say, "It must be your hardware, or user error!.." - who do you turn to now?

In order to evaluate the IT assistance you may currently have (or NOT have) available for your operation, consider the questions below in relation to your existing view of IT help available for small businesses.  Then consider what you would ideally prefer.

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© The Business Solutions Shop Pty Ltd 2005.