Service Level Agreements

Service level agreements (SLAs) offer service providers a way todistinguish themselves from their competitors in today's volatile,hypercompetitive market. This book offers an innovative approachthat takes full advantage of current interface, automation, andInternet-based distribution and reporting technologies. * Addresses business-level SLAs, not just device-level SLAs * Describes a revolutionary approach that combines networkmanagement, service management, field service activities,entitlement, and rating with workflow automation technologies

Service Level Agreements for Cloud Computing provides a unique combination of business-driven application scenarios and advanced research in the area of service-level agreements for Clouds and service-oriented infrastructures. Current state-of-the-art research findings are presented in this book, as well as business-ready solutions applicable to Cloud infrastructures or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) environments. Service Level Agreements for Cloud Computing contributes to the various levels of service-level management from the infrastructure over the software to the business layer, including horizontal aspects like service monitoring. This book provides readers with essential information on how to deploy and manage Cloud infrastructures. Case studies are presented at the end of most chapters. Service Level Agreements for Cloud Computing is designed as a reference book for high-end practitioners working in cloud computing, distributed systems and IT services. Advanced-level students focused on computer science will also find this book valuable as a secondary text book or reference.

Most suppliers lose around 16% of their customers each year. The reason? Poor service — whether perceived or real. Any technology-based support service, whether in-house, contracted or outsourced, stands to be accused of being insensitive to the requirements of its customers (or users). Equally, customers of a support service may have unrealistic expectations of what can be reasonably provided. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) can overcome these gulfs. A Service Level Agreement can create harmony between parties and can prevent disputes between customers and suppliers. It can justify investment and identify the "right" quality of service. It can mean the difference between business success and failure. SLAs are potentially a strategic tool to align all support services (particularly IT) directly to business mission achievement. In the past, few organizations used them in this way. Armed with this book and the companion SLA FRAMEWORK, more and more businesses are now succeeding. Where are SLAs going? Increasingly business-focused. Increasingly measured in real-time. Simple documents that cover complex service infrastructures. Providing a competitive edge. Embracing penalties. The brave, who commit to tight SLAs and perform against them will win the commercial spoils. This book provides the knowledge and tools based on fifteen years of intensive development to ensure your enterprise is among the winners.

This book holds the key to creating enduring, satisfying and profitable relationships between customer and supplier. It shows how both internal and external services and supply can be aligned to meet business vision, mission, goals, critical success factors and key performance indicators. The techniques described will help you balance service cost against quality, leading to competitive advantage and business success. They can be applied to any industry, to any supply or support service. They have been used by leading companies internationally - and they work!

This is the digital version of the printed book (Copyright © 2002). The success of systems or software development depends on effective communication. But have you ever had trouble articulating a complex concept? Have you ever doubted that someone truly understood you–or that you completely received someone’s message? Managers and technical professionals have to communicate effectively in order to understand client requirements, build work-related relationships, meet market demands, and survive time pressures. So often, though, communication breaks down, and nothing gets done (or done well, at least). Thankfully, Naomi Karten–author of Managing Expectations–is here to help. Readers learn how to improve the way they handle a wide variety of communication conflicts, from one-on-one squabbles to interdepartmental chaos to misinterpretations between providers and customers. Drawing on a variety of recognizable experiences and on useful models for understanding personalities, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the teachings of family therapist Virginia Satir, Karten provides a series of powerful tools and concepts for resolving communication problems–as well as methods for preventing them in the first place. Inadequate communications include misunderstood or missed messages, contradictory or mixed messages, and messages that are intentionally sabotaged. As the author notes, these miscommunications “can have a damaging, puzzling, and counterproductive impact on projects and relationships.” Karten helps readers identify many of the common factors that can cause communication gaps. For example, mistaken assumptions of understanding lack of follow-up unfixed project terminology emotional baggage personality conflicts mismatched communication preferences Karten’s witty, conversational tone makes this book easy to read; her real-life stories and examples make it easy to understand; and her use of hilarious cartoons by Mark Tatro brings her lessons to life. Communication Gaps and How to Close Them is a must-read for anyone who recognizes that the way he or she communicates in professional encounters, as well as in personal ones, can be improved. With Karten’s useful insights and practical techniques, this book will change not only how you communicate but also how you think about communication.

The overwhelming majority of a software system’s lifespan is spent in use, not in design or implementation. So, why does conventional wisdom insist that software engineers focus primarily on the design and development of large-scale computing systems? In this collection of essays and articles, key members of Google’s Site Reliability Team explain how and why their commitment to the entire lifecycle has enabled the company to successfully build, deploy, monitor, and maintain some of the largest software systems in the world. You’ll learn the principles and practices that enable Google engineers to make systems more scalable, reliable, and efficient—lessons directly applicable to your organization. This book is divided into four sections: Introduction—Learn what site reliability engineering is and why it differs from conventional IT industry practices Principles—Examine the patterns, behaviors, and areas of concern that influence the work of a site reliability engineer (SRE) Practices—Understand the theory and practice of an SRE’s day-to-day work: building and operating large distributed computing systems Management—Explore Google's best practices for training, communication, and meetings that your organization can use

Buy the itSMF guide to service level management today! Service Level Management - a Practitioner's Guide, Second Edition ;offers a practical, experience-based approach to the subject matter. This guide shows you the best way to design a service level management (SLM) roadmap and implementation project plan, compile a service catalogue, put together service level agreements, and much more. Additionally, this book comes complete with a free CD packed with sample templates and supporting documents. You can tailor these ;templates to your specific needs using the advice and guidance in the book. No more reinventing the wheel. This second edition of the book has been reorganised in line with feedback from itSMF's SLM roadshows. The templates on the accompanying CD have been fully revised, the section on service catalogues has been extended. A new section on SLM small-scale implementation has added. Key Features © Benefits: Shows you ;best way to design a service level management (SLM) roadmap and implementation project plan. Providing you with a step-by-step approach. Comes with a CD that contains templates of various different SLM documents. These can be tailored to your own needs. Saving you both time and money Published by the itSMF - the representative body of the IT service management industry. Revised and updated with feedback incorporated from itSMF's SLM roadshows. Meaning this book is current and very up to date. Includes a new section on small-scale SLM ;implementation, meaning this book can help you implement SLM ;no matter the size of your organisation. Note: The ebook version does not provide access to the companion files.