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Executive Summary
By understanding the business drivers behind We believe that by creating a template, or model,
mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and being includ- that can be easily understood by the business
ed in the initial stages of the process, IT leaders side of the enterprise, IT organizations can
can contribute significantly to the success of make a clearer case for how the IT infrastruc-
these endeavors. Yet there is one important ture can contribute to the value of mergers and
caveat: IT teams can only influence the outcome acquisitions at virtually every stage. It is woth
of mergers and acquisitions if the merging busi- noting that the definition of value from an IT
nesses technology infrastructure is planned, perspective often differs from that of the
integrated and run to support M&A efforts during business an issue that can lead to semantic
and following the deal. and execution challenges throughout the M&A
integration process. Business executives need
In this white paper, we shed light on the barriers to view the IT infrastructure within the same
IT teams often encounter following the close of context as they view other strategic, value-gener-
an M&A Deal. We also detail how IT organizations ating aspects of the enterprise. Otherwise, they
can position themselves as strategic partners can unintentionally undermine the rationale for
that can add significant value throughout the and expected business returns from the merger
M&A lifecycle. or acquisition.
The IT team has carefully documented their progress, as well as any issues and risks, in their status
reports. The IT leader is set to announce that the item setup time in the product lifecycle management
tool is slipping, since new SKUs were added the previous week.
The meeting starts with a discussion of the latest functional requirements. The IT head is surprised to
learn that the list of open requirements has grown. How could this happen? Doesnt everyone under-
stand the impact on the integration schedule potentially pushing out the timeline? He realizes he will
need to request additional resources, and even if he gets them, the risk level will be that much higher.
After presenting ITs status and issues, and emphasizing the expected delay in the item setup process,
the IT leader realizes that no one (other than his team) seems concerned that the timeline will be
delayed and that this holdup will impact the planned Day One schedule.
As he does every week, the IT head asks the meeting chair to detail the expected synergies of the merger
and how they will be measured going forward. As always, the response is that the synergies issue is
under control and that the IT organization need not worry.
Although the IT head has held his position for many years, this is the first
time he has worked on a post-merger integration initiative. He wonders Apart from preserving
how he fits in, and if IT is viewed as a partner in the M&A process, or as value through more
merely a back-office function. If thats the case, how can his team contrib-
ute real business value to the company, including during and following the
effective integration,
M&A process? many experienced
acquirers create
additional value and
Post-Merger Integration: All Aboard fielding a dedicated IT
M&A integration team reduce risk by involving
Many IT leaders face these types of challenges
when navigating the M&A integration process,
immediately upon sign- IT much earlier in the
ing a letter of intent.1
especially when their company isnt a seasoned process often at the
As IT integration is
acquirer. IT teams are often excluded from the
core to EMCs M&A very beginning.
early stages of a deal, but brought in afterward
integration efforts, the
to reconcile the myriad aspects of two complex IT
IT teams presence helps broaden the conversa-
organizations quickly and economically. Most of
tion and illuminate potential areas of opportunity,
todays enterprises depend heavily on the infor-
operational challenges and financial risks.
mation systems that coordinate transactions,
manage operations, support sales and service, M&A Value Creation: A Business Perspective
and provide services around the emerging world
Traditionally, companies use revenue or share-
of digital. Yet avoiding disruption while creating
holder value as an indicator of M&A success.
more value is often an afterthought in the M&A
However, value created from an acquisition is not
strategy of many enterprises.
limited to the shorter-term view of increasing rev-
Apart from preserving value through more enue or immediate cost-cutting. Long-term value
effective integration, many experienced acquir- can come in many forms.
ers create additional value and reduce risk by
A recent survey2 cited a number of additional fac-
involving IT much earlier in the process often
tors that companies take into account to drive
at the very beginning. One such acquirer is EMC,
M&A strategies and create additional value. (See
the worlds largest data-storage equipment pro-
top of next page.)
vider. EMC has established a best practice of
Integration = Deliverable
Feedback Management Feedback
throughout Office throughout
CoE Team
Business Business 8.
6. PM Production cut-over plan
BAs
Code development/ Cut-over plan
QA Testing
7. UAT
Sign-off
About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process out-
sourcing services, dedicated to helping the worlds leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in
Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry
and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 75
development and delivery centers worldwide and approximately 211,500 employees as of December 31, 2014, Cogni-
zant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among
the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com or follow us on
Twitter: Cognizant.
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