process management

The concept of virtualization needs to be clarified. On the one hand there is hardware virtualization. Hardware virtualization includes servers, desktops, storage, data centers, etcetera – the physical components of the network infrastructure. Virtualizing at the physical level is a tactical maneuver. It is not a competitive differentiator, nor does it provide a long term, sustainable competitive advantage. On the other hand there is process virtualization. Process virtualization is strategic to a company. Improved business processes offer companies a highly sustainable competitive advantage by allowing firms to improve quality and productivity, lowering costs and freeing up resources to focus on innovation and adding value. Business process virtualization (BPV) also unifies the focus of the firm, whether the focus is on creating profit, monitoring and fulfilling consumer needs, growing the business or all of these areas.