IT Healthcheck Audit - Online Dating Software company

Introduction

This case study examines a UK company which hosted over 3000 separate online dating websites, and required a full health-check of its IT platform and software development practices. The project was conducted over a 10 day period, and involved face to face meetings with staff in the UK and Ukraine, where much of their core development was carried out. The aim of the project was to assess the company's IT capabilities, and identify areas for improvement.

Initial Challenge

The company faced a number of challenges in relation to its IT platform and software development practices. With over 3000 websites to manage, there was a need for a robust and scalable platform that could support a large user base, while also providing a high level of security and reliability. In addition, the company's software development practices needed to be assessed to ensure that they were aligned with best practices, and could support ongoing innovation and development.

Process

To address these challenges, a team of IT consultants conducted a full health check of the company's IT platform and software development practices. This involved face to face meetings with staff in the UK and Ukraine, where the team was able to gain an in-depth understanding of the company's IT capabilities, and identify areas for improvement. The health check involved a thorough assessment of the company's hardware and software infrastructure, including its servers, databases, and networking equipment. In addition, the team reviewed the company's software development practices, including its coding standards, testing procedures, and project management processes.
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Based on the findings of the health check, a comprehensive report was produced, detailing the company's IT capabilities, and providing a number of recommendations for improvement. These included suggestions for upgrading hardware and software infrastructure, improving security and reliability, and implementing best practices for software development.

Impact and Result

The health check had a significant impact on the company's IT capabilities and software development practices. By identifying areas for improvement, the company was able to implement a number of changes that improved its overall efficiency, security, and reliability. These changes also supported ongoing innovation and development, enabling the company to keep pace with changing customer needs and market trends. Although it was not disclosed to the consulting team at the time, it transpired that the audit was part of a due diligence exercise that was being carried out in preparation for the company's sale, which took place some three months later. The health check report provided valuable information to potential buyers, and helped to ensure that the company's IT capabilities and software development practices were aligned with industry standards and best practices. Ultimately, the company's sale was a success, and the health check played an important role in ensuring that the company was well-positioned for growth and success in the future.