Tech Trends 2013 Preview: The Business of IT |
After reengineering and automating the rest of the business, now IT’s children deserve some shoes!
For decades, businesses have been improving operations with IT – common data models, repeatable processes and integrated business systems. We’ve talked about managing IT more like a business for years, yet most CIOs are faced with the same ‘islands of automation’ that other CxOs addressed more than 20 years ago. Fragmented processes and systems don’t allow IT to effectively deliver on the changing demands of the business.
Managing IT like a business is particularly challenging for CIOs who must contend with tremendous pressure to lower costs, and to make more of their costs variable. They’re managing large, complex workforces. They’re also managing relationships with third parties who are supplying major portions of IT. And they’re doing all of this on a global basis.
CIOs need to invest in their own shop, driving tools to capture, report and manage their full portfolio of projects, vendors and resource pools – across planning, implementation and support. In effect, they need to automate and integrate the core processes and services of Information Technology like they helped do for manufacturing, finance and sales.
Is this “ERP for IT”? Maybe someday. In many cases today, it’s integration without the frameworks of external standards or regulatory agents. CIOs are crafting solutions in pieces and testing business cases at each step. The potential benefit is worth the investment – not only in driving down costs and better managing risks, but in positioning IT as the business’ partner in provoking and harvesting disruption based on the postdigital era.
The role of information technology in the future will likely be very different. To learn more about The Business of IT and what the future may hold, subscribe now to receive the next installment of Tech Trends – Deloitte Consulting LLPs annual review of the leading technology trends impacting business today and into the future.
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Bill Briggs Director Deloitte Consulting LLP |
