Information Technology can be strategic to your organization's success and be a major line item in your budget and yet still not be effective in your organization. While you are an expert in your business, you may not have the time to keep up with all of the emerging technologies that could impact your bottom line.

Much like your CPA or your Lawyer, you can obtain expert technology advice as a monthly retainer or on a project basis.

How confident are you in the answers to these questions?

• Am I spending the right amount for the technology benefits I need?
• Are there new technologies that could have a positive impact on my  business?
• What technologies are my competitors using?
• Where is the low hanging fruit for my technology dollar?
• How do I pick the right software for my business?
• Do i have the right staff? Are they being trained and motivated?

Be sure to read 'Virtual CIO - Executive Summary - Backups"

The big corporation answer.

Large corporations have CIOs (Chief Information Officers) to manage IT operations and help top management make the right IT strategy and spending decisions. CIOs of these large organizations ensure that IT is moving in lockstep with the business. Many corporations also have CTOs (Chief Technology Officers) who are responsible for the technology infrastracuture. We use the CIO title to ecompass the CTO scope and responsibilties.

Small and medium-sized businesses ( those < $100,000,000 in sales) have the same problems and challenges of the Fortune 500 companies but cannot afford a full time CIO.

Benefits of a Virtual CIO

• Get top quality is executive expertise-when you need it at a fraction of the cost of a full time CIO. 
• A Virtual CIO is a professional resource for a strategic asset.
• Our Virtual CIO methodology is designed for small and mid-sized organizations.  We don't recommend a Sarbanes-Oxley compliant methodology for a company that doesn't require it.
• The Virtual CIO  fills the gaps you have.
• Your staff will have a mentor to coach and guide them.

Virtual CIO Provides

• An emerging technology expert with broad experience
• Executive level guidance on complex technology issues.
• Briefings on new and meaningful technologies.
• OnLine project management of all technology projects.

Some examples:

• Review software update and purchase planning.
• Align technology strategy and focus with business objectives
• Technology  budget analysis (e.g. What are you spending on Repairs and Maintenance v. New?)
• Periodic reporting of projects and plans.
• System requirements analysis and design to meet business objectives.
• Software package selection and implementation (ERP, CRM, etc.).
• E-Commerce and Web initiatives.
• Evaluate software efficiencies like EDI, Imaging, and Faxing.
• Bring in Best Practices in operations to ensuer the security and safety of you data.
• Evaluate staff and contractors.
• Operational reviews of computers, servers network, operations and secuity.
• Implementation of procedures to rapidly identify emerging problems.

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