Today, the CIO’s role has greatly changed due to the difference in how organizations operate, distribute information, and promote services. CIOs have now fostered a thorough idea of how modern technology- such as cloud computing- can improve sales and not just lower costs. As technologies constantly evolve, a CIO’s focus has changed from the management of costs to driving business initiatives. In fact, according to ZD Net, the CIO is transitioning from a technology leader to more of a business leader and, essentially, the traditional role of the CIO- achieved by rising through the ranks of the IT department- will cease to exist.
The CIO has transformed into an integral part of how business operates. Now, CIOs deliver the services and applications that enhance business operations instead of supplying the infrastructure only. By merging technology and business together more than ever, CIOs are more friend than foe to the enterprise.
Two Principal Goals
According to a recent Verizon Terremark blog post, The CIO’s recent position requires a shift in focus from minimal tasks to larger projects with two principal goals in mind: “adding value and driving efficiency through the use of technology.” Positioning away from delivering IT infrastructure, CIOs- and their supporting IT groups- can now supply services that initiate revenue. CIOs are removing redundancies and taking the wheel in critical business operations, like sales management and e-commerce, Verizon Terremark says. Through removing unnecessary layers and focusing on initiating revenue, CIOs are more friend than foe for the enterprise.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing, from management to distribution, is pivotal for the CIO’s friendlier new role because its revolutionary technology drives efficiency. Thanks to the cloud, standard operations can be automated. This allows IT to concentrate on increasing productivity that adds value. Furthermore, Verizon details an example in which the chief marketing officer (CMO) would demand resources for a new database to stow consumer data from the CIO. The cloud offers a cost effective solution versus old in-house solutions (much more expensive and time consuming) to meet this demand, permitting the CIO to achieve both of its goals set previously by Verizon: adding value by assisting the CMO with a new database that will bring revenue and driving efficiency through the use of updated technology; the cloud is much more efficient than buying and deploying servers.
They have undergone a substantial change in responsibilities which has made CIOs more friend than foe to the enterprise- even though they still face challenges in persuading executives to agree with their strategies. According to a Harvey Nash survey, a little more than half of CIOs feel that they lack in support from the board. However, the benefits behind cloud computing have advanced the CIO indefinitely in directing efficiency and increasing revenue through the use of technology, making them meet the challenges of the modern information environment.
How does your company perceive the new role of the CIO? Are they friend? Or are they foe to the enterprise?
Comments are closed.