How an Outsourced CIO and CTO Contributes to Your Growth
In today's technology-dependent business landscape, a CIO, CTO or Director of IT, is a key driver of strategy in the organization.
Once associated with large organizations, these essential IT team members are equally as important to today's SMBs.
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What is the difference between a CIO and CTO?
You might think of the CIO as the inner-focused technology leader. She is responsible for the internal IT infrastructure. While she has deep technology experience like a CTO, she will focus on the value technology brings to the organization.
The CTO, on the other hand, is more focused on how technology works. He is responsible for delivering the products and services to the external customers. Like the CIO, he will have a clear understanding of how all of the organization's technologies work together.
In some organizations these roles are combined since there is some overlap. Your company's needs will determine how these key roles and responsibilities best fit into your organization.
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What is a Chief Information Officer (CIO)?
Your CIO manages the IT infrastructure of the entire organization. The CIO serves as the connector among the technical, C-level, board, and all team members. He combines executive strategy with the essential technologies to continually ensure a focused growth path.
Why Should You Hire a CIO?
Because the CIO brings the unique blend of technical and business experience, she can translate strategy into actionable technical plans. She ensures that each technology product and service will work with other tools and software.
In most organizations IT is isolated (and often dreaded), operating in a dark vacuum. This creates a barrier between business users and the technology team who is expected to support them. The CIO bridges this gap and facilitates the ongoing flow of communication.
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When Should You Hire a CIO?
Setting a clear technical strategy is essential for your company's focused growth. That means hiring a CIO as soon as you begin planning your company. He will provide valuable guidance in planning, purchasing, and implementing the right tools to build a solid foundation. The outsourced CIO approach eliminates the burden of a full-time staff member which most SMBs simply cannot afford and don't need.
If your company is established, you have likely acquired a lot of products and services that meet your company's day-to-day needs. A CIO is invaluable in taking an objective assessment of your current IT infrastructure. Are these tools meeting the needs for which they were intended? Are they being used at all? Where are the gaps? The list goes on.
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What Does a CIO Do?
Your CIO will deliver the services that are right for your company. Some of the essentials services include:
Establishes the organization's technical strategy and goals
Develops strategic plans for development and delivery of the organization's technology
Develops and maintains the organization's IT budget
Thoroughly evaluates the company's existing IT infrastructre for effectiveness, adoption, and ongoing usefulness
Identifies gaps in the organization's technology solutions
Continually monitors and learns about technology and industry trends
Collaborates with internal teams and company leadership to achieve a shared purpose
Mentors and teaches internal team members to develop deeper IT knowledge
Establishes and enforces IT policies and procedures
Implements technology that delivers efficiency and streamlines workflows
Identifies opportunities to automate manual processes
Maintains ongoing communication and assessment of deliverables from third-party technology service providers
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What is a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)?
Your CTO is responsible for detailing the company's technology vision, ensuring this vision is aligned with the overall company strategy, implementing the technology plans, and maintaining the alignment between technology and company needs.
Why Should You Hire a CTO?
Like the CIO, the CTO combines technical and business experience. She will translate company strategy into actionable technical plans. She ensures that each technology product and service aligns with the IT infrastructure.
The CTO is responsible for all technology issues within the organization. She will identify the tools that best support both internal and external users' needs.
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When Should You Hire a CTO?
Regardless of your company's growth stage, a clear technical strategy is essential for your company's focused growth. That means having access to an experienced CTO with a broad range of experiences as soon as you begin planning your company. He will provide valuable guidance in planning, purchasing, and implementing the right tools to build a solid foundation. An outsourced CTO is the ideal solution for many organizations.
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What Does a CTO Do?
Your CTO will deliver the services that are right for your company. Some of the essentials services include:
Establishes the company's technical vision and leads technology development
Outlines goals for continous research and development
Ensures a customer-focused approach in all IT products and deliverables
Identifies opportunities for software and app development
Develops technology plans and ensures implementation
Develops deployment timelines consistent with the company's overall strategy
Maintains network security with appropriate network teams
Defines policies for technology use and management
Maintains ongoing communication and assessment of deliverables from third-party technology service providers
Are You Ready to Talk With Your Outsourced CIO or CTO?
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