Get started with Splunk

We would love to give you a kick-start with Splunk! In just a few days, you will learn to create comprehensive reports and clear dashboards in Splunk. You will have an excellent basis for the future. We will start with an intake to get a clear understanding of your requirements and what you want to achieve. Next, we will go through the following stages together:

• Infrastructure – We install the Splunk software and 1 to 2 Splunk Apps on the server provided by you.
• Collection – We help you to connect 1 to 2 sources and ensure that they are indexed correctly by Splunk.
• Testing – We check if everything works properly and possible results are shared immediately.
• Clear Dashboards – We make sure that the collected information is presented in clear dashboards in the selected Splunk Apps.
• Customized User Experience – we create a report and/or alert to share the Splunk information with other users or departments. Additionally we explain the role structure in Splunk.

The main advantages:

• Saving time and resources in the project
• Create valuable information in a short time
• Use proven best practices for a solid baseline
• Collaborative methodology with transfer of knowledge and skills

By transferring knowledge to and in close cooperation with your organization, you will have a solid foundation for the proper integration of Splunk. 

Data Source Assessment

A Data Source Assessment provides insight into the data sources that are connected to the Big Data platform. We provide clarity how the connected data is currently used and whether it is fully utilized.

For this purpose, short interviews are planned with different teams to obtain as much information as possible. We will talk with both users of the platform as well as departments that do not work with it. In this setting, as many as possible questions come up, including the less obvious ones.

A Data Source Assessment looks at the following five domains and the most important objectives of the organisation:

• IT Operations
• Application Support
• Application Development
• Security, Compliance, Fraud
• Business Analytics

Expert On-Site

Our Expert On-Site service offers you a predetermined schedule of a consultant to answer user questions and solve technical problems. You define the list of activities and set the priorities, so you are always in control. This ensures that the maintenance work does not accumulate and is carried out by an expert. Afterwards you will receive a report with an overview of the executed work. If any topics are left, they will be dealt with during the next visit. Should there be time left on the scheduled day, the consultant is at your disposal for other related activities.

As part of the Expert On-Site service we deliver:

• a schedule for one year for the on-site visits.
• a possibility to manage the backlog.
• a report after each visit, with an overview of the activities performed.
• a minimum of 12 days and a maximum of 52 days, during 12 months.

Healthcheck for Splunk

The technical environment of Splunk is influenced in various ways. The growth of a Big Data environment, the growth of the license as well as the number of users of the platform, all  have direct consequences. In order to ensure that the environment is stable and continues to absorb growth, it is important to examine it closely. We work out the ideal architecture for the organization to prepare it for further development and growth. Performing a Healthcheck is a good starting point for mapping out the possibilities and critical pain points of the current environment. To make sure  that not only the organization but also the Big Data platform is ready for the future.

SMT’s years of experience have resulted in a collection of best practices. By analyzing the environment on 50 critical points, the Healthcheck tests whether or not it performs at top level. The result is a report with recommendations and action points coming together in a final report.

It takes a number of days – depending on the size of the environment – to perform the Healthcheck. This will be done together with the stakeholders in your organization. The consultant will need administrator rights.

Use Case Session

During the Use Case Session we select suitable use cases to improve the adoption and growth of the Big Data platform. Optimum support is created within the involved departments and added value for the entire organization. The ultimate goal is to enable an organization to find and develop valuable use cases moving forward.

During two days, steps will be taken to define good use cases. We have interviews and set priorities regarding the use of data and in relation to the business processes. It will be clear which use cases represent the most value, after which they are tested within the organization for priority, business goals and strategy.

At that time, we are ready to implement the selected use cases for you. The team writes a Statement of Work based on the information from the Use CaseSession. Next, these use cases are scheduled and executed. During the third day of the Use CaseSession, the implemented use cases will be presented with cost/benefit analysis of the before and after situation. We will also evaluate the process, which obstacles have been eliminated for defining, prioritizing and implementing use cases.

If you want to see the presentation before the Statement of Work, the experts draw up the chosen use cases. During the presentation you will see a theoretical cost / benefit analysis after which you can decide to have the selected use cases developed by our consultants.