Creating an IT Strategy

Does your IT department complain that purchases are made on a cost, rather than value basis? Equally, as a business owner, do you find yourself complaining about spiralling technology costs without visible benefit?

These are common battles, and are symptomatic of a piecemeal approach to technology.

IT should exist in harmony with business objectives- the technology is there to enable, not confound. That should not only be true during the planning process before a big purchase, but throughout the lifecycle of your equipment, during its day-to-day use by your staff. If this is the sort of challenge you’re facing, read on.

Avoid the "us and them" mentality

If you want to avoid the "us and them" mentality, between operations and technology you need effective communication between the business and the IT functions. The reference point for that communication is the IT strategy- a plan in which both business and IT stakeholders participate, and which can be referred to and amended as priorities change.

Here are just some of the questions along the way to establishing an IT strategy- and a discussion with Principal can help you get some answers:

• Where are we going as a business?
• How do we want to be organised to get there?
• What information/applications do we need?
• What infrastructure will help deliver our core functions to our users and clients?
• What sort of support will keep the whole thing going?
• How often does all this need to be reviewed?

Obviously, these questions must be tailored to your business; but for the majority of SME's, however they're dressed up, they're the same questions.

Principal, the independent facilitator

Principal is ideally placed to act as an independent facilitator to this discussion. Irrespective of the size of your organisation, we're technically knowledgeable enough to understand your IT needs, and focussed enough to understand your business requirements. And above all, we're impartial, so resourcing arguments need never boil over. It's all part of our commitment to giving you the right technology for your needs- and staying accountable to you throughout its life-cycle.

We can help you create the right IT strategy

Before you make the decision to buy new computer equipment, take out a support agreement, or outsource your IT function; let Principal help you by putting together a workable IT strategy which all parties can refer to. You will benefit from our knowledge and best-practice, and your staff will benefit from a clearly defined way forward.

Your Principal Adviser will be able to answer any questions you might have, call us now on 0800 132908.