Atos Origin delivers complete shared services solutions, with proven approaches, processes and change management implemented by consultants with industry experience and market-leading expertise.

Our expertise extends from development of the business case, through to the design, build, operation and continuous improvement of existing shared services centers, always with the focus on maximizing financial and non-financial benefits. From initial consultation through to delivery, we have extensive experience in financial shared services and shared services optimization across a wide range of market sectors.
 

The shared services evolution

During the last century, the regular swing between centralized and decentralized business models has reflected changing economic circumstances. Both approaches have their advantages.

A decentralized business model suits rapidly growing markets where entrepreneurship and revenue growth outweigh immediate shareholder returns. By contrast, stable or depressed conditions favor a centralized enterprise where success depends on firm command, control and cost reduction strategies.

In recent years, additional dynamics have entered the equation:

• Increasing regulatory controls are leading to the adoption of stringent processes and standards throughout the organization
• The public sector drive to free up resources for frontline service delivery is accelerating the take-up of new models, including the implementation of shared services solutions
• Seamless interaction between web-enabled business applications is easing access to shared software components and data, wherever they are located
• The breakdown of traditional time and distance barriers is allowing organizations to exploit the benefits of innovative and flexible business models.

The shared services model has evolved in response to this new environment. By leveraging best practice from both centralized and decentralized systems, shared services models put functions such as IT, human resources, finance and procurement at the core of the corporation. This approach liberates individual business units to focus on product development, markets and customers. At the same time, the adoption of common standards across the organization, safeguards regulatory compliance.

Shared services can deliver ‘quick win’ cost savings and financial advantages, but truly successful shared services solutions also provide a parallel opportunity to improve operational processes. Although this may initially involve additional capital investment and fundamental organizational change, the long-term rewards include a stronger return on investment and wider performance benefits across the enterprise.

A carefully planned and rigorously implemented shared services program can deliver significant benefits. These include:

• Standardized, streamlined and, where appropriate, fully automated processes to ensure clarity and control
• Clear demarcation of responsibilities and the release of analyst resource to focus on business intelligence
• Scaleable structures with the capacity and flexibility to manage new business and higher volumes.