Friday, June 25, 2010
Pink Elephant Is Going Beyond ITIL With ISO/IEC 20000 Foundations
TORONTO, ON – June 25, 2010 – Pink Elephant today announced that it has recently added a new certification course to its education portfolio. The ISO/IEC 20000 Foundations course complements the existing IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) certification courses offered from Pink Elephant. Successful completion of the three-day course and examination provides participants with one (1) ITIL credit towards the ITIL Expert designation within the official ITIL V3 professional qualification scheme.
Additionally, many organizations – particularly those in the IT services business, such as outsourcers and managed service providers – have now recognized that attaining the ISO/IEC 20000 organizational certification provides them with the focus and motivation to bring their IT services operation up to the industry recognized standard for good practices in IT Service Management. Today, IT service providers are under increased pressure to deliver high quality service at minimum cost. Attaining an ISO/IEC 20000 organizational certification allows them to positively promote their abilities to reduce operational exposure to risk, meet contractual and tendering requirements, demonstrate service quality, and deliver best value.
Pink Elephant President, David Ratcliffe, comments “This new course can be viewed as a valuable first step towards an organization preparing for the ISO/IEC 20000 organizational certification. Alternatively, if organizational certification is not the immediate goal, the course provides IT service management professionals with a holistic view of all the critical success factors needed to establish an effective and efficient IT services organization.”
View more information on this new certification course and upcoming dates and locations.
About Pink Elephant
Pink Elephant leads the way in IT Management best practices. Operating through many offices across the globe, it is the world’s #1 provider of ITIL and ITSM conferences, education and consulting services. To date, more than 200,000 IT professionals have benefited from the organization’s expertise. Pink Elephant has championed the growth of ITIL worldwide since its inception in 1989, and was selected as an international expert to contribute to the ITIL V3 project as authors of the Continual Service Improvement book and through representation on the International Exam Panel. For more information, please visit www.pinkelephant.com.
ITIL® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.
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For further information, please contact:
Kara Block
Marketing Services & Conference Coordinator
Pink Elephant
Toll Free: 1-888-273-7465, Ext. 353
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Monday, March 01, 2010
PinkVERIFY™ Launches As OGC ITIL® Software Scheme Assessor
HP Service Manager 7.1 First Product Assessed
TORONTO, ON – March 1, 2010 – Pink Elephant has officially launched its PinkVERIFY V3.1 ITSM software assessment service as a Licensed Software Assessor under the Office Of Government Commerce’s (OGC) IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Software Scheme. Now, Pink Elephant is able to provide ITSM tool vendors the PinkVERIFY stamp of approval as well as the OGC’s ITIL swirl process compliant bronze, silver or gold logos.
To become a Licensed Software Assessor, Pink Elephant successfully passed a three stage audit conducted by the APM Group. The third stage of the audit was a live pilot of the assessment which Pink Elephant conducted with HP Service Manager 7.1 software.
HP Service Manager 7.1 successfully obtained the PinkVERIFY stamp of approval as well as the Gold OGC ITIL Swirl process compliant logo for Incident, Problem, Change, and Service Asset & Configuration Management.
According to Pink Elephant’s President, David Ratcliffe, this recognition solidifies PinkVERIFY’s reputation in the industry: “We’re pleased that Pink Elephant is now recognized by the OGC and APM Group as a licensed software assessor and that our PinkVERIFY service now incorporates the OGC criteria and requirements of the ITIL software assessment scheme,” he says. “This is a very positive step forward for the industry, not only for tool vendors, but also for users of ITIL compatible software. Congratulations to HP for helping to make history with us.”
The updated version of the PinkVERIFY software assessment service incorporates the full requirements of the OGC ITIL Software Assessment Scheme. It also provides deeper focus on process integration, enabling a tool vendor to further differentiate its tool for the ITIL user market.
“As customers engage in service management projects to align technology and business objectives, this assessment will help validate that a product meets certain requirements to support key technology processes,” said David Flesh, director of product marketing, Software and Solutions, HP. “This latest Pink Elephant validation of HP Service Manager 7.1 is further evidence that this product will help customers meet those objectives.”
For more information about the PinkVERIFY software assessment service, visit http://www.pinkelephant.com or call 1-888-273-7465.
For more information about the ITIL Software Scheme, visit the OGC’s website: http://www.itil-officialsite.com/News/ITILSoftwareSchemeOperationalPilotLaunch.asp
About Pink Elephant
Pink Elephant is proud to be celebrating 20 years of ITIL experience – more than any other service provider. Operating through many offices across the globe, the company is the world’s #1 provider of ITIL and ITSM conferences, education and consulting services. To date, more than 200,000 IT professionals have benefited from Pink Elephant’s expertise. Pink Elephant has been championing the growth of ITIL worldwide since its inception in 1989, and was selected as an international expert to contribute to the ITIL V3 project as authors of the Continual Service Improvement book and through representation on the International Exam Panel. For more information, please visit www.pinkelephant.com.
ITIL® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.
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For further information, please contact:
Brent Artemchuk
Director, Marketing and Communications
Pink Elephant
Toll Free: 1-888-273-7465, Ext. 252
E-mail: b.artemchuk@pinkelephant.com
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Friday, February 26, 2010
Pink Elephant Announces 2009 ITIL® Award Winners
TORONTO, ON – February 26, 2010 – Pink Elephant has announced the winners of the ITIL Awards, presented at its 14th Annual International IT Service Management Conference and Exhibition held in Las Vegas from February 21-24.
The awards honor the best in five categories: ITIL Project of the Year; ITIL Practitioner of the Year; ITIL Case Study of the Year; Pink Elephant Student of the Year; and Innovation of the Year.
ITIL Project of the Year: This is presented to a practitioner organization that has shown a significant commitment to ITIL. The organization must have a clearly defined project with dedicated management; a project start date occurring at least six months before the conference commences; clearly documented and communicated goals; high involvement from ITIL-certified staff; and measurable project benefits.
The winner of this year’s award is Northwestel for the Northwestel IT Initiative.
ITIL Practitioner of the Year: ITIL Practitioner of the Year goes to an IT practitioner who has placed best practices at the core of their organization’s IT operations. This individual has also championed the strategic benefits of ITIL and shown a commitment to sharing knowledge about ITIL inside and outside their organization.
The winner of this year’s award is Elaine Lauritzen from Brigham Young University, recognizing her commitment to ITIL within the organization. Elaine is also a dedicated ITIL champion outside the university, speaking at many industry events, including Pink Elephant’s annual conference.
ITIL Case Study of the Year: This award is probably one of the most prestigious, because it is chosen by conference attendees. During the conference, Pink Elephant tabulates evaluation results from all the ITIL case studies. The award is given to the individual who delivered the most compelling session and received the highest score.
This award was presented to Steve Bozzo, CIO, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. In his session, Chargeback Arrangement Delivers For 1-800-FLOWERS, Steve shared how he and his team approached the problem of decentralization and developed a hugely successful costing and chargeback mechanism and methodology for allocating and recovering IT costs for technology services.
Pink Elephant Student of the Year: This is presented to the Pink student with the highest exam score in the ITIL Service Manager course. Successful completion of the course requires a high level of commitment and a demonstrated knowledge of the goals, benefits, challenges and integration points of the ITIL processes.
This year’s winner is Rafal Otto, IT Service Manager, CERN.
Innovation of the Year: This award recognizes a product or service developed by the vendor community that has made the greatest contribution to IT Service Management in the last calendar year.
This award was presented to EMC for Ionix.
“Organizations across the globe are continuing to use ITIL’s best practice framework to improve efficiencies and create an optimal bottom line. To further illustrate and promote ITIL’s benefits, it’s important to recognize the work of these companies and their IT practitioners,” says George Spalding, Pink Elephant Vice President. “Pink Elephant is proud to have a hand in recognizing these achievements as honoring the winners. Congratulations to everyone.”
Nominations are now being accepted for the next awards, presented at the 15th Annual International IT Service Management Conference and Exhibition, taking place February 20-23, 2011 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
For more information about the 2011 conference and ITIL Awards, call 1-888-273-PINK.
About Pink Elephant
Pink Elephant is the leader in IT Management best practices. Operating through many offices across the globe, the company is the world’s #1 supplier of ITIL and ITSM conferences, education and consulting services. To date, close to than 200,000 IT professionals have benefited from Pink Elephant’s expertise. Pink Elephant has been championing the growth of ITIL worldwide since its inception in 1989, and was selected as an international expert to contribute to the ITIL V3 project as authors of the Continual Service Improvement book and through representation on the International Exam Panel. For more information, please visit www.pinkelephant.com.
ITIL® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.
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For further information, please contact:
Brent Artemchuk
Director, Marketing & Communications
Pink Elephant
Toll Free: 1-888-273-7465, Ext. 252
E-mail: b.artemchuk@pinkelephant.com
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Pink Elephant Announces ITIL Award Winners At Annual Conference
TORONTO, ON – February 16, 2010 – Pink Elephant will announce the winners of the 2010 ITIL® Awards at its 14th Annual International IT Service Management Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas, February 21-24, 2010.
The awards honor the best in five categories: ITIL Project of the Year; ITIL Practitioner of the Year; ITIL Case Study of the Year; Pink Elephant Student of the Year; and Innovation of the Year.
ITIL Project of the Year: This is presented to a practitioner organization that has shown a significant commitment to ITIL. The organization must have a clearly defined project with dedicated management; a project start date occurring at least six months before the conference commences; clearly documented and communicated goals; high involvement from ITIL-certified staff; and measurable project benefits.
This year’s finalists are: BMO and Northwestel
ITIL Practitioner of the Year: ITIL Practitioner of the Year goes to an IT practitioner who has placed best practices at the core of their organization’s IT operations. This individual has also championed the strategic benefits of ITIL and shown a commitment to sharing knowledge about ITIL inside and outside their organization.
This year’s finalists are: Peter Barrotti from University Health Network and Elaine Lauritzen from Brigham Young University
ITIL Case Study of the Year: This award is probably one of the most prestigious, because it is chosen by conference attendees. During the conference, Pink Elephant tabulates evaluation results from all the ITIL case studies. The award is given to the individual who delivered the most compelling session and received the highest score.
Finalists are announced during the conference.
Pink Elephant Student of the Year: This is presented to the Pink student with the highest exam score in the ITIL Service Manager course. Successful completion of the course requires a high level of commitment and a demonstrated knowledge of the goals, benefits, challenges and integration points of the ITIL processes.
The winner is announced during the conference.
Innovation of the Year: This award recognizes a product or service developed by the vendor community that has made the greatest contribution to IT Service Management in the last calendar year.
This year’s finalists are: EMC, Cherwell and Service-now.com.
“For years, Pink Elephant has worked diligently to increase awareness of ITIL’s best practice framework on a global scale,” says George Spalding, Pink Elephant Vice President. “Part of this work has included the introduction of an awards program to further illustrate and promote ITIL’s benefits. While competition was fierce, this year’s winners truly exemplify the best ITIL has to offer. Congratulations to all finalists.”
About Pink Elephant
Pink Elephant is the leader in IT Management best practices. Operating through many offices across the globe, the company is the world’s #1 supplier of ITIL and ITSM conferences, education and consulting services. To date, more than 100,000 IT professionals have benefited from Pink Elephant’s expertise. Pink Elephant has been championing the growth of ITIL worldwide since its inception in 1989, and was selected as an international expert to contribute to the ITIL V3 project as authors of the Continual Service Improvement book and through representation on the International Exam Panel. For more information, please visit www.pinkelephant.com.
ITIL® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.
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For further information, please contact:
Brent Artemchuk
Director, Marketing and Communications
Pink Elephant
Toll Free: 1-888-273-7465, Ext. 252
E-mail: b.artemchuk@pinkelephant.com
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Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Industry Leader Launches Self-Paced Online Service Catalog Implementation Overview
TORONTO, ON – February 3, 2010 – Pink Elephant today announced it’s launching a self-paced online Service Catalog Implementation Overview.
The 90-minute Overview features specific Service Catalog implementation instruction based on the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) best practices as well as Pink Elephant’s real-world experience. It is specifically targeted to organizations about to implement a Service Catalog because it lays the foundation for a successful implementation – internal awareness of the overall project.
Topics covered during the Overview include: the purposes and value of the Service Catalog; Service Catalog terminology; Service Catalog Management process essentials; how organizations can define services and their key descriptors, attributes and characteristics; Service Catalog structures and views; and a proven approach to implementing a Service Catalog with a goal of maintaining it as a vital, valuable tool used daily by IT and its customers.
According to AVP, Product Strategy, Troy DuMoulin, the Overview is different from other similar products currently on the market. “Pink’s Overview includes downloads of sample Service Catalog implementation templates and process documents, as well as an e-copy of our best-selling book, Defining IT Success Through The Service Catalog,” he says. “These extras make the Overview a cost effective – and valuable – Service Catalog implementation tool.”
The Overview is accessible via a conventional browser.
View more information about the Service Catalog Implementation Overview.
About Pink Elephant
Pink Elephant leads the way in ITSM best practices. Operating through many offices across the globe, it is the world’s #1 provider of ITIL and ITSM conferences, education and consulting services. To date, more than 200,000 IT professionals have benefited from the organization’s expertise. Pink Elephant has championed the growth of ITIL worldwide since its inception in 1989, and was selected as an international expert to contribute to the ITIL V3 project as authors of the Continual Service Improvement book and through representation on the International Exam Panel. For more information, please visit http://www.pinkelephant.com.
ITIL® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.
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For further information, please contact:
Brent Artemchuk
Director, Marketing and Communications
Pink Elephant
Toll Free: 1-888-273-7465, Ext. 252
E-mail: b.artemchuk@pinkelephant.com
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