2016 Edition of the IT Due Diligence Guide is Released

The need to include an information technology review during M&A due diligence is greater than ever. Identifying IT shortcomings that can put a company's (and a deal's) future at risk is critical.

According to the Boston Consulting Group, 63% of acquisitions are completed by companies that purchase no more than one company per year. It's not reasonable to expect that such companies have resources dedicated to M&A, let alone an IT due diligence expert. The IT Due Diligence Guide can help to fill that gap.

The IT Due Diligence Guide shows IT experts how to use their technical knowledge to help their company save money, identify risks, uncover hidden opportunities and make an informed decision when considering a merger or acquisition. It can help technology professionals make a true business impact with their IT due diligence efforts.

The book explores the questions to ask during technology due diligence, and how to interpret the responses, from a business standpoint.

The IT Due Diligence Guide also explains to investors how to talk to the IT staff at the target company and draw out the information needed to uncover problems that can cost them money unless they're addressed by the seller before the deal closes. The book is intentionally written to be useful and understandable even for non-IT experts - it's not filled with technical jargon.

The 2016 edition of the IT Due Diligence Guide includes an IT due diligence checklist that has been expanded to over 125 items. The checklist has been downloaded more than 21,000 times by IT and M&A professionals.

The book provides a complete explanation of each question on the checklist - why it should be asked and what the potential answers can tell you about your acquisition target. Even more importantly, it explains the right follow-up questions to ask to get the detailed information you need. It also includes questions not on the checklist that should be asked only in person - these can be vital.

2015 and early 2016 saw the trends of substantial data breaches and related public relations disasters at large companies continue. Smaller companies are by no means immune to the same types of attacks.

The year also saw the expansion of underground hacker markets, where one can purchase stolen credit card data, online banking credentials and hacking software

For 2016, the IT Due Diligence Guide has been expanded and updated to address the latest IT security concerns and technology practices. Not surprisingly, cybersecurity issues are a key focus of this year's book.

Questions have been added, explanations have been revised and there is a new appendix listing helpful resources. Recognizing the need for specialized expertise in certain situations, a new section discusses additional audits and reviews to consider including during an IT due diligence project. Finally, a post-transaction IT integration plan template is now part of the book package.

"The IT Due Diligence Guide isn't a textbook or an academic study of the due diligence process. It's based on real world issues and my real world experience," said the author, Jim Hoffman. "My goal in writing it was to share the knowledge and insights I've gained in almost 20 years of helping investors and buyers evaluate their potential acquisitions."

Testimonials

"As someone who has come from a very technical background, and moved into M&A, I was looking for different angles to explore when carrying out IT DD for my clients. Fortunately I had the basics covered but Jim's book provided additional areas to investigate with in-depth questions, and certainly added value to my reports. If you are involved IT due diligence then this book is, without doubt, worth every penny."

- Gavin D., leading professional services firm

"I have used the IT Due Diligence Guide over the past six months and find it very useful. It allows me to gather a comprehensive set of data/information in a short amount of time which helps me write a robust and detailed IT due diligence report that always leaves my clients impressed. Thanks for the Guide."

- Art B., global management consulting firm

Read more book testimonials here:

https://www.itduediligenceguide.com/testimonials/

Download sample content from the book at:

http://www.itduediligenceguide.com/sample-content/

Purchase the book here:

http://www.itduediligenceguide.com/buy-the-it-due-diligence-guide/

About the Author

Jim Hoffman wrote the IT Due Diligence Guide after years of technology and operations experience with companies very active in M&A. He has worked on IT due diligence projects ranging from a $50,000 investment to a $375M company sale. The tools, information and practices outlined in the book are exactly what he uses himself when he runs due diligence projects.

To post a comment, you must register and login.