ITSMF to form India chapter

MUMBAI: UK-based IT Service Management Forum (ITSMF) would shortly be setting up its India chapter. This non-profit organization has already initiated work with HP to spearhead activities for creating awareness about ITSM standards.

IT service management is a relatively new concept in India wherein organizations, be it vendors, SIs/solution providers or end-customers, adopt best industry practices as far as service deliveries are concerned, as laid out in the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). The decision to have a local chapter should come as encouraging news for many SIs, some of whom are already in the process of adopting ITSM practices as well as going for BS15000 standards.

Talking on the need to have a local chapter, ITSMF CEO Aidan Lawes said, "India today, has become a big supplier of services. Hence, it is critical for the organizations here to standardize the way in which, they deliver these services." According to him, one of the biggest drivers behind IT services management is the large volume of offshoring to India.

From a SI/solution provider's perspective as well, ITSM is increasingly becoming a must-have, much similar to the way ISO certifications had been in recent past. "And when we talk of ITSM, we are referring to an end-to-end adoption of standards, including the integrators and service providers," said Lawes. He added that by embracing such standards, the SIs would be able to grow up the value chain in a faster manner.

ITSMF has over 3,000 organizations as its members worldwide and the forum would be looking at creating a deep footprint in India as well. The forum would also help members get certified on standards like BS15000.