Take a moment to think about all the technology you interact with during an average day of work. Depending on your business, you likely rely on a number of devices like computers, printers, phones, projectors, and more. However, those examples only touch on hardware—what about the software you use? For example, if you work with Office 365, then you use cloud platform services.
While you may not realize it, your IT plays a part in almost everything you do. Your IT infrastructure is the backbone of your operations. That’s why making decisions for the present and future of your technology environment is so important. To ensure you’re maximizing the potential of your IT, you need a professional who understands your infrastructure inside and out.
What Does a Virtual CIO Do?
IT infrastructure consists of all the hardware, software, resources, and services that are required for the operation and management of your company. Your IT department is in charge of the management of your technology. However, that department needs someone who can oversee IT strategy to ensure everything is firing on all cylinders. This is where a chief information officer (CIO) comes into play.
A CIO is someone who is put in charge of your IT strategy and computer systems in order to support your organizational goals. When your systems need to be updated or new technology needs to be implemented, the CIO is who you turn to. They are also responsible for things like consultation, IT budgeting and planning, vendor management, and more. The only problem is that hiring a full-time CIO isn’t cheap, meaning small- to medium-sized companies may not have it in their budget to hire someone for this position.
In this situation, most businesses choose to have a vCIO instead. A vCIO means a virtual chief information officer—this person acts as a dedicated resource and serves as a chief information officer on an on-demand basis. Provided by a third-party vendor, it’s their responsibility to steer your infrastructure in a direction that can help you achieve your business goals.
