Reinforcing IT Service Management in Malaysia
As the implementation of IT Service Management systems becomes more apparent and in-demand among companies in Malaysia, the need to fully understand its effectiveness and overall functionality becomes imperative as well. The recent establishment of the Malaysian Chapter of the IT Service Management Forum (itSMF) is one big bold step towards the realization of this goal. The group, officiated in July last year, is strongly supported by the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) – Malaysia’s IT arm – vendors and corporate users.
“With the growth of itSMF, Service Management now has a home in Malaysia,” said Michael Kum president and founder of itSMF Malaysia. The objective, he added is to bring best practice guidance and international know-how to the ‘local’ vendors and users.
This will be delivered through general awareness programs and events organization, among others. Last October, itSMF conducted its ‘inaugural annual conference’ which circled around the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). The event got the attention of about 170 visitors, 11 regional VIPs and two guests from itSMF United Kingdom. Members from Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands were also present.
One of the conference highlights is the open panel discussion which tackled “life before and after ITIL”, which featured local subject matter experts.
itSMF believes that the IT Service Management, which has been around in Malaysia for the last seven years, has a huge potential. This, however, remained untapped due to the deficiency in awareness campaign initiatives.
The conference served as a ‘trigger’ to jumpstart the collaboration among concerned sectors to create an international community that particularly caters to ITSM. “Malaysia truly likes ITSM, and hopes to impart its brand for the use of domestic Government-linked companies, SMEs and propose to assist like-minded countries around the region.”
Kum added the goal of Service Management is to design, deliver, and maintain services and operations; whether it’s IT or Business Alignment, at an agreed level of Quality, in support of Customer activity. “The people who share this passion – all are in the itSMF Malaysia Chapter,” he noted.
As part of its goal, the chapter will also recognize individuals and organizations who are making significant contributions to the advancement of best practice, standards and professionalism in the IT Service Management field.
“Like all other NPO International societies, we want to grow and have the best minds from both vendors and users – to create awareness, and de-mystify the current conception of ITIL; so that we have win-win for all,” Kum said.