Altima Energy is a Toronto$-$based utility company that recently bought ABC Enterprises, which owned five different gas utilities. Altima chose to purchase the firm so that full economies of scale could be obtained. Once that decision was made, the firm began to develop further plans.

In terms of IT$,$ three specific steps took place.

$1.$ Assess the current state of IT for both companies, including issues such as staffing, business activities they support, and technology infrastructures used.

$2.$ Create a vision of the post merger business and its IT needs. An end target should be established as the firm begins its planning for the merger, not a moving target.

$3.$ Develop the integration plan. Typically, multiple tasks must take place at the same time. Having different identifiable pieces whose performance can be measured helps allow the firm to be successful.

Now, Altima has been acquired by the Canadian power company, National Grid. This takeover was designed to d