The Virtual CIO Frequently Asked Questions 

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Most Computer consultants fit into one of two categories: They provide support for specific projects on a time and materials basis, or they are affiliated with a particular supplier. While they may have excellent skills, capabilities and experience. They don’t try to learn about your business and how this particular solution will benefit your business. Their goal is to have a successful “technical” project.

The Virtual CIO is focused on your business goal. How will the solution improve your business? How will we measure that success? It takes more than technology. It takes an understanding of how people will respond to the change and how the business process will change.

Your IT supplier is focused on keeping your equipment running well, so that you get the value that you paid for when you bought it. But, if your computers are stable, does that mean that your business is functioning as well as it can or that your staff are productive? The Virtual CIO will not replace your IT supplier. We focus on your business results, your productivity.

While there is no question that the salary of staff is much less than a consultant, and you get personal support more quickly for service problems, salaries or fees are not your only costs. If your staff are unproductive, you can be paying extra overtime, or losing out on sales because of customer service problems, or productivity. When you concentrate on your business, is that because you are having ongoing problems trying to get business done because you haven’t got the right tools to help you?

While I’m happy that you found someone so responsive, the question that I’d ask is why do you have to have him on speed dial? Hardware and software are much more stable today, and a good IT supplier should be able to prevent problems, not just fix them. Every time you have a problem, you lose productivity. When you spend time on the phone diagnosing a problem, you lose productivity. Your business may be suffering from this “good” service.

Unfortunately, computer support is still in its infancy. Most technical support companies still talk about technology and their language is incomprehensible to the average businessperson. The Virtual CIO has significant experience in translating technical and business issues. We can act as a go between to translate your business needs into technical requirements as well as providing guidance and feedback on whether or why an upgrade is necessary. 

The problem is seldom the software.  The most common problem is consistency.  In most businesses, people are used to doing what they need to do to get the job done.  With a computer system, people must work consistently and follow a defined process.  Otherwise the data in the system cannot be trusted.  It it can't be trusted, it won't be used.  In many cases, more time is spent on corrections or exceptions.  This is the biggest  impact on productivity.  Check my articles on process to get more information.

The biggest concern that I have seen is the reliability/stability of the hardware and software and the escalating costs.  For those who are knowledgeable or comfortable with technology, this is less of a problem.  If you are getting value from the technology, then you are dependent on it.  If it is not reliable, there is a major productivity issue.  If you aren't comfortable with technology, you are totally dependent on your support staff or supplier.   In my experience, too many small businesses have a supplier that is react oriented, responding after the problem has happened.  This is not acceptable.  Check my articles to see what to look for in an IT supplier.