Technology is more than IT support – it defines the way your organization operates. With most companies moving some or all of their operations to the Cloud, it’s hard to find a business whose bottom line isn’t tied to technological concerns.
But how do you ensure your technology supports your strategic business goals?
For large enterprises, the answer is the Chief Information Officer (CIO). A highly technical corporate executive in charge of overseeing a company’s short-term and long-term IT strategy.
But many small and medium-sized businesses don’t have the luxury of having an experienced full-time CIO on staff. This means they’re missing the big-picture perspective needed to better align IT spending with strategic business goals.
How You Can Benefit From A vCIO
Members of your C-suite are experts in their focus areas. A virtual chief information officer (vCIO) specializes in the latest technology and cybersecurity. More than “tech support,” the vCIO is a strategist invested in your business’s success, but they do this as a third party, virtually, instead of as an in-house employee.
A vCIO analyzes your IT infrastructure for weaknesses to suggest process or security reworks. They can formulate long-term technology goals based on your business objectives. Then, they’ll provide a road map for your technology strategy.
An MSP is more focused on service delivery, whereas the vCIO takes a forward-looking approach. Working with more decision-making authority, the VCIO can create an IT budget. They can also work to reduce your business expenses. One way they’ll do this is by building relationships with vendors to ensure the best rates and services. Note: you should already be saving money by working with a vCIO rather than hiring a traditional CIO.
What To Look For In A vCIO?
The IT expert or experts taking on your vCIO role should bring a wide range of skills to the table. These include:
- ability to align your IT strategy to your business goals;
- robust knowledge of technology trends to understand what will best serve your organization;
- project planning and management skills to ensure completion on time and within scope;
- experience in cost optimization and measuring key performance indicator metrics;
- ability and willingness to collaborate effectively with teams throughout the business;
- communication skills to report to business stakeholders, and liaise with clients and vendors.
Our MSP, Your vCIO
Some MSPs steer clear of planning and assisting with decision-making. They hone in on today’s operational tasks and fix current problems, but our IT experts are here to add immense value to your business. Partner with Digital Industry as your vCIO. We’ll be supportive and provide a clear technology direction to help you grow your organization.
