EDITOR ’ S COMMENT
New technologies driving IT and business alignment
It was not too long ago that technologies such as cloud , mobile , social , and big data analytics were little more than futuristic concepts whose true potential was largely unknown . Fast forward to today , however , and they have become a core part of modern IT . Yes , the degree of adoption may vary , but these four pillars of the Third Platform now play a critical role within any forward-thinking organisation .
While some businesses are attracted to these technologies by the potential cost savings they offer , others are motivated by a desire to drive new levels of innovation , become more agile , and enhance their overall competitiveness . But as with any new technology , there are a number of factors that IT teams must consider if they are to ensure a successful deployment , including cost , risk , and user experience . And the criticality of these factors can vary depending on the technology in question .
When it comes to deploying cloud technologies , cost typically outranks risk and user experience . This is because the overall total cost of ownership for cloud solutions offers a strong value proposition . That said , many of the functionalities currently being addressed via public cloud services are not mission critical in nature , although some verticals such as retail are increasingly moving core applications to the cloud in a bid to simplify management .
While cost overrides risk , it does not entirely negate it . Security has been highlighted as a major inhibitor of widespread cloud adoption . And it is true that cloud solutions bring with them challenges around data protection , privacy , and governance that must be addressed by both cloud service providers and internal IT teams .
Jyoti Lalchandani is Group Vice President and Regional Managing Director for IDC Middle East , Turkey and Africa
When it comes to deploying cloud technologies , cost typically outranks risk and user experience
The ease with which cloud solutions can be procured also creates concerns around the issue of shadow IT , where individual business units purchase solutions without the IT department ’ s knowledge . Shadow IT causes governance issues and can increase the number vulnerability points when the IT department is not involved in ensuring compliance with internal security standards .
Organisations seeking to deploy enterprise mobility solutions will need to prioritise user experience , because any deployment that interferes with the provision of a seamless experience can negatively impact productivity and business outcomes . Risk is also a critical factor in this regard , since mobile phones , tablets , laptops , and wearables all add to the number of vulnerability points for maliciously accessing the corporate network .
In relation to big data analytics , organisations must weigh all factors equally , as these technologies involve high-value information and inform high-level decision making . Both IT and the business must take cost into account since data aggregation and classification use up a considerable amount of time and resources . Risk is a critical consideration as the solutions in question have access to various levels of information , which raises concerns about sensitive data being compromised .
The weightage given to cost , risk , user experience , naturally varies from one technology to another , but what is a universal success factor is how well the IT department engages with the business . This is because the consumption of cloud , mobile , social , and big data analytics helps merely to lay foundations for digital transformation to be truly digital , the organisation must ensure proper alignment between IT and business .
To ensure the highest chance of success , IT and the business must work hand in hand to determine what metrics are critical , what level of risk is acceptable , and how best to deliver high standards of user experience . Only then can IT truly move on from being a business enabler to being integral to the business itself .
20 Issue 01 INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS