The recent collapse and subsequent acquisition by JPMorgan Chase of Bear Stearns highlights a key requirement in enterprise takeovers; speed. That speed is essential holds true for IT integration to ensure that services can be maintained and customers not lost.
Sometimes Lack of Speed Kills
In takeover situations, the acquiring enterprise often has the luxury of integrating the acquired enterprise's clients, data, applications and employees in a careful and structured manner. This is not always the best solution however, for a variety of reasons:
- Employees, concerned about long-term employment opportunities, may jump ship to a competitor rather than risk a potential layoff.
- Clients, concerned about viability of service delivery, may move their business to a competitor rather than risk restrictions to their personal operations or direct losses.
- Data is the lifeblood of most enterprises and acquirers must ensure that acquired information doesn't become corrupted, lost, stolen or devalued.