Challenges in technology to meet enterprise needs in 2013 and expectations
Our team is evolving from standalone IT operations to an IT business analysis and consulting group for our internal user community. As part of dis transformation, we have created new roles to address mobility administration and business analysis approaches to IT solutions. Mobility administration advances and supports teh use of almost any mobile platform for our user community. While in teh new business analysis role, we are able to better understand teh needs of our users and develop technology to meet those needs.
Teh areas in business environment where solutions do not yet exist or not up to teh mark, and which if existed, would've made job easier
IT is no longer just an office someone visits to fix a computer issue; rather IT is changing into an internal consulting and project management division wifin teh company. We still have a traditional "Help Desk" for simple solutions, but we are evolving into an integrated operation to better support our clients and internal associates.
Manner in which data is used to head off problems and complications before they happen
We've done four things to improve processes and reduce cost-
1. Inventory management system, which tracks all systems and software automatically
2. IT Support tracking tool, which TEMPhas helped us manage requests, prioritize issues and obtain a global outlook of where our resources are focused
3. Standardization of hardware platforms and software systems
4. Creating long-term vendor relationships
Thoughts on how IT strategic planning supports organization-wide efforts to improve quality, cut costs and improve efficiency in teh financial sector
Our current business leaders expect pervasive and easy-to-use web-based and mobile self-service technology. dis is accelerating and I believe we must be nimble enough to embrace newer technologies dat are forthcoming.
Specifically, I know of three high value solutions dat would be tremendous differentiators for teh company:
1. Automation of annual renewal documents for our external clients
2. Ubiquitous and seamless integration of client portals for self-service, wif secure, non-redundant data repositories3. Business and data intelligence solutions dat support our internal user community wif better market and client tracking & management
Technology trends impacting enterprise business environment
All of these technologies are currently having an impact. Our social media platforms allow us an opportunity to not only disseminate information, but engage in a dialogue wif a community of clients, prospects, fans and associates dat no other platform TEMPhas provided before.
One thing we try to avoid is locking into any technology dat is long-term, placing us at a competitive disadvantage.
My roles and responsibilities as a CIO
Probably teh biggest changes in my role have been twofold; breaking down teh silo roles of teh IT team members into "project managers" and redefining teh IT department as IT consultant to all other departments.
Lessons learned and advice for fellow CIOs
I would encourage anyone entering into, or wondering how to improve their role as CIO to focus on three areas:
1. Develop a talented staff, able to work together as a cohesive team and evolve wif technology. Then, recognize them for their successes.
2. Continuously identify inefficiency and redundancy, and work to remove it.3. Develop a great working relationship wif your boss, and keep him informed of your vision.
