More Than IT: How Oxalis Will Help CalPERS Empower Public Servants

It’s with tremendous excitement that I share some big news for Oxalis Solutions today. We’ve been awarded a contract to provide IT consulting services to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)!

For those unfamiliar, CalPERS is a giant in the world of public pensions. They manage retirement and health benefits for over 1.5 million Californians – the people who dedicate their careers to public service in the state. It’s an incredible organization with a critical mission: to ensure the financial well-being of those who serve California.

This contract win is a major milestone for Oxalis. It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our entire team. We’ve been steadily building our presence in the public sector, and this partnership with CalPERS solidifies our position as a trusted technology advisor for government agencies.

Calpers logo

What does this mean for Oxalis?

This is more than just a contract; it’s an opportunity to make a real difference. We’ll be working closely with CalPERS to modernize their IT infrastructure, streamline operations, and enhance service delivery for their millions of members. Think about the impact – our solutions will help CalPERS operate more efficiently, ultimately benefiting the very people who keep California running.

Why is this important to me personally?

Having spent my career in technology, I’ve always believed in its power to transform organizations and improve lives. This partnership embodies that belief. We’re not just implementing software; we’re contributing to the well-being of the individuals who dedicate their lives to public service. That’s incredibly motivating.

What’s next?

We’re eager to roll up our sleeves and get started. Our team is ready to bring the full force of our expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and agile development to bear for CalPERS. We’re confident that this collaboration will be a resounding success, and we’re honored to play a role in supporting CalPERS and the vital services they provide.

This is an exciting chapter for Oxalis, and I’m incredibly proud of our team and the work we do. Onward and upward!

Oxalis Solutions Charts a New Course with Seaport NxG: Strengthening Ties with the U.S. Navy

I’m thrilled to announce that Oxalis Solutions has been awarded a contract under the U.S. Navy’s Seaport Next Generation (Seaport NxG) program! This is a significant milestone for our company, and it reflects our deep commitment to supporting the critical missions of the U.S. Navy.

Navy Seaport NxG Logo

For those unfamiliar, Seaport NxG is the Navy’s primary platform for procuring a wide range of professional support services, spanning engineering, program management, and technical expertise. This contract vehicle streamlines the acquisition process, allowing the Navy to efficiently engage with best-in-class companies like Oxalis to meet their evolving needs.

This win is the culmination of years of dedicated work by our team, building strong relationships with our Navy partners, and consistently delivering impactful solutions. We’ve already had the privilege of supporting the Navy on a number of initiatives, including:

  • Modernizing shipyard operations: Deploying advanced service management solutions like Jira Service Management to improve efficiency and collaboration.
  • Streamlining acquisition processes: Developing custom applications for estimation and bid development, enabling faster and more accurate procurement.
  • Empowering shipboard personnel: Creating mobile applications for test and inspection planning, condition-found reporting, and other essential ship repair and fabrication processes.

We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done with the Navy thus far, and we’re excited to expand our partnership through Seaport NxG. This contract opens up new opportunities for us to leverage our expertise in areas like digital transformation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics to support the Navy’s mission-critical needs.

At Oxalis, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation. We’re committed to bringing our best-in-class solutions and deep understanding of the Navy’s unique requirements to every project we undertake. We’re confident that this partnership will result in even greater success for the Navy and for the nation.

This is an exciting time for Oxalis, and we’re eager to embark on this new chapter in our journey with the U.S. Navy. Stay tuned for more updates on our work with SeaPort NxG!

Taming the IT Beast: How to Master Your Operating Model and Maximize Value

The IT department: a constant whirlwind of activity. From launching cutting-edge projects to keeping the email server humming, IT teams juggle a mind-boggling array of responsibilities. This complexity can make prioritization a nightmare, leaving IT leaders feeling like they’re constantly putting out fires instead of driving strategic value.

But fear not! By understanding the nuances of your IT operating model and leveraging the right tools, you can transform your department from a reactive cost center into a proactive value powerhouse.

Understanding the IT Operating Model

Every IT department, regardless of size or industry, operates across three core areas:

  • Projects: The engine of innovation. Projects deliver the new systems, capabilities, and products that keep your organization competitive and future-ready. Think of things like implementing a new CRM, developing a mobile app, or migrating to the cloud.
  • Operations: The bedrock of stability. This involves keeping the lights on—ensuring systems are running smoothly, data is secure, and users can access what they need. Daily tasks include server maintenance, security patching, and incident response.
  • Services: The face of IT. This is where your team provides direct support to end-users, resolving issues, answering questions, and fulfilling requests. Think password resets, software installations, and troubleshooting those “my computer is slow” complaints.

Each of these areas comes with its own unique challenges, and when we focus on one, it can sometimes mean that another gets overlooked. For instance, if we see a rise in service tickets, it might slow down our progress on strategic projects or impact the operations team’s ability to keep our systems running smoothly. It’s important to find a balance that allows us to address all these aspects effectively.

The Balancing Act: Why Prioritization is Key

Each of these areas demands attention, but resources are finite. Focusing on one inevitably means deprioritizing another. A sudden influx of service tickets can derail critical projects, while an operational crisis can drain resources needed for innovation.

Without a clear prioritization strategy, IT departments risk falling into common traps:

  • Missed SLAs: Failing to meet service level agreements erodes user trust and impacts productivity across the organization.
  • Stalled Projects: Strategic initiatives get bogged down as resources are constantly diverted to address urgent operational or service issues.
  • Wasted Effort: Time and money are invested in projects that don’t align with overarching business goals.

Gaining the Upper Hand with Atlassian

The key to effective prioritization? Visibility. You need a clear understanding of where your team is spending its time and how that effort aligns with your strategic objectives. This is where Atlassian shines.

  • Jira: The gold standard for project management. Jira allows you to track progress, manage resources, and ensure your projects stay on track and deliver maximum value.
  • Jira Service Management (JSM): Purpose-built for IT service management, JSM streamlines incident management, change requests, and service delivery, freeing up your team to focus on higher-value work.
  • Analytics Tools: Whether you use Atlassian Analytics or another platform, integrating data from Jira, JSM, and other sources provides a holistic view of your IT operations.

With this data-driven insight, you can:

  • Identify bottlenecks and resource constraints.
  • Track SLA compliance and identify areas for improvement.
  • Ensure projects are aligned with business priorities.
  • Make informed trade-offs between competing demands.

Strategic Decision Making in Action

Imagine this: your service desk is overwhelmed with tickets. Armed with data from your Atlassian tools, you identify the root cause: a recent software update. You can then make informed decisions, such as:

  • Temporarily reassign staff to the service desk to address the backlog.
  • Accelerate development of a self-service portal to deflect common requests.
  • Implement automated solutions to reduce the need for manual intervention.

The Path to IT Excellence

Mastering your IT operating model is an ongoing journey. By embracing a data-driven approach and leveraging powerful tools like Jira and JSM, you can strike the right balance between projects, operations, and services.

The result? A high-performing IT department that delivers exceptional service, drives innovation, and consistently aligns with your organization’s strategic goals.

Unlock Your IT Potential with Oxalis

Ready to take control of your IT destiny and unlock the true potential of your team? Oxalis, an Atlassian Platinum Solutions Partner specializing in ITSM, can help! We’ve empowered countless organizations to streamline their operations, optimize service delivery, and achieve their strategic goals with Atlassian. Explore our range of services and discover how we’ve helped clients like you conquer the complexities of IT. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to one of our experts today for a no-obligation consultation. Let’s build a better IT future, together!