A virtual CIO (vCIO) does everything an in-house chief information officer does, but virtually. Instead of hiring a CIO, you can outsource IT service providers to perform their duties for you. vCIO services are also beneficial even if you have a full-time CIO. That’s because the vCIO can play the role of their assistant to help you get more done in less time.
So, what exactly does a virtual chief information officer do? We know “everything a CIO does” is a bit vague. That’s why today, we’re going to drill deeper into the role of a vCIO. While we’re at it, we’ll discuss why 92% of small to medium-sized businesses outsource their CIO needs. There’s a lot of benefits to it, and we’ll specify what those are.
| “Attentus Tech supplies VCIOs to maximize our client’s technology investment and save them money in the long run” – Dustin Frost, Founder & President, Attentus Technologies |
What Does a Virtual CIO Do?
Like their in-house counterparts, a vCIO wears a few hats. Their main role is to be your organization’s information technology leader. To achieve this, they often need to be IT support experts, project managers, business strategists, and cybersecurity professionals all in one.
Here are just a few of the things a vCIO can do.
Helps Formulate Your IT Strategy
vCIOs are more than just tech experts. A good one also understands strategic planning and has a solid business acumen. That means they can assess your current IT infrastructure, identify gaps, and formulate a solid IT plan that aligns with your goals.
This ensures that your IT decisions are both forward-thinking and practical. You want to stay ahead of tech trends, but you also need solutions that make sense for your business practices. A good vCIO knows exactly how to marry these two needs and they’ll help you formulate a long-term IT strategy that does that.
Aligns Business and IT Goals
Speaking of alignment, a lot of business owners are already struggling to meet their IT departments where they are. Your vCIO can use their combined skills to help you bridge that gap. This makes everyone more productive and increases job satisfaction.
They can also facilitate communication between departments. This ensures that your alignment stays on track and eliminates silos.
Plans Your IT Budget
Recent data shows that 94% of enterprises overspend on cloud computing. This issue isn’t unique to cloud services. As IT costs rise, many business owners assume their budget needs to rise with it. Instead, it makes more sense to figure out how to effectively use what you’re already spending.
With a vCIO’s guidance, unexpected IT expenses become a thing of the past. They help you anticipate technology-related costs, so you won’t be caught off guard. They do this by assessing your current technology needs, forecasting future requirements, and helping you allocate your resources accordingly.
Identifies Areas of Improvement
Every business has areas that could benefit from some enhancements, whether they know it or not. This is especially true when it comes to information technology. vCIOs have a keen eye for spotting these opportunities.
| Find Out More About How You Can Make Technology Planning a Business Strategy |
By conducting thorough IT assessments, they pinpoint precisely how you can better leverage your technology. It doesn’t end there. A good vCIO will also offer actionable recommendations to address these areas.
Identifies Opportunities For Innovation
If your network is fully optimized, you can still take it further. Your vCIO may also help you identify how you can innovate and get ahead of your competitors. Their strategy should include future-proof insights. Whether it’s new potential revenue streams or a new way to enhance the customer or user experience.
Don’t just adapt to technological changes, lead them! Getting ahead of the game will do nothing but good for your business.
Maintains Your IT Infrastructure
Everything you do in your network hinges upon maintaining a solid infrastructure. However, this requires both expertise and vigilance. A vCIO can monitor performance, address issues proactively, and ensure minimal downtime. They also ensure that your infrastructure is scalable, so you’ll be ready to adapt to changing needs.
This also saves you and everyone on your team time. You can leave tedious maintenance to your outsourced solution and spend your newfound time on new exciting projects.
Upholds Information Security
According to Lenovo, 66% of chief information officers (CIOs) report that cybersecurity is their toughest challenge. Assistance from a vCIO can help out that 66%. vCIOs offer news insights into the evolving threat landscape and help create a culture of security.
Good vCIOs assess vulnerabilities, implement robust security protocols, and ensure that these measures are consistently updated to counter new threats. They can also work with you to establish a solid employee awareness program to keep your first line of defense strong.
Supports Strategic Vendor Relationships
Building and maintaining strong vendor relationships is crucial for any business that relies on external services and products. For the tech related ones, a vCIO can help. They can liaise with vendors and strategically align vendor capabilities with your business needs.
Since they will understand the nuances of both sides, they can ensure that collaboration is mutually beneficial.They can also regularly review vendor performance, ensure that they meet the agreed-upon standards, and deliver value for your money. If issues arise, they can act as your advocate and negotiate solutions.
Face Your Business Challenges Head On With a vCIO Partner
As you navigate through the IT landscape, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether your IT environment adheres to laws and standards. You also shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your chosen solution actually works. As tech continues to evolve, this challenge is getting tougher.
When you partner with a stellar vCIO from Attentus Technologies, you won’t have to worry about any of that. Our professionals are dedicated to building relationships, maximizing your IT investments, and guiding you through a superb tech strategy. Don’t settle for “compliant and functional” talk to us about how you can take your IT to the next level.
Ready to leverage technology to its fullest potential? Reach out to Attentus Technologies today.