Jm Family Enterprises Inc.: Selectively Outsourcing it for Increased Business Value

Abstract

In 2001, JM Family Enterprises (JMFE), the 15th largest privately held company in the United States, began a transformation of its IT services. By 2004, the company was ranked seventh in InformationWeek magazine's listing of most innovative users of IT. JMFE's IT transformation involved rationalization of its technology architecture, adoption of best service practices, data center consolidation and selective outsourcing. This case study emphasizes the role of outsourcing in JMFE's IT transformation. Executives from both JMFE and IBM describe how they have managed the relationship to ensure mutual benefits.