With the IT consulting model, companies contract a Managed Service Provider for IT support and help with specific projects. The IT consulting firm may work for a few months, or even a year. However, often after the project is completed, the IT consultant’s services are no longer needed.Managed IT service providers work differently, in that they are hired full-time to either augment a company’s in-house IT staff or to act as an organization’s IT department.
Managed IT service providers also offer what is known as a Virtual Chief Information Officers (VCIO) to help companies improve their IT operations and execute IT strategies.
The Managed Service Provider offers their client a VCIO, an experienced IT advisor who collaborates with and also serves as an advisor for an organization’s management team. The VCIO assists with many of the same duties as a traditional (in-house) CIO such as creating and executing IT strategies, planning IT budgets, researching and implementing new technologies to improve overall efficiency, and managing the overall IT infrastructure. The big difference is that a VCIO isn’t based in the office. Though he or she will visit a company’s offices regularly, their home base is with the managed IT provider.
What Are The Benefits of a VCIO?
- Executive Level Support
VCIOs provide their clients with executive level IT support, without the high cost of a C-level executive. Companies enjoy all of the benefits of having a CIO – including guidance for major IT projects, budgeting, and strategic planning to give a company a competitive edge through its IT infrastructure; without having to salary an employee. Instead VCIO services are billed monthly as part of the company’s managed IT services plan.
- Access To A Large Knowledge Bank
Having a CIO is a fantastic advantage for businesses. It means they have a well-seasoned employee on staff who is able to plan and manage their IT environments, create strategies, and optimize IT operations. CIOs often have many years in the field under their belts and have a wide-range of skills and expertise. A VCIO takes this one step further. Not only does an organization benefit from having a C-level executive in charge of their IT department (or acting as the IT department), VCIOs also have access to a major knowledge bank at their home IT services company.
Managed IT service providers have teams of employees who collectively have many years of IT experience. Different members of the team may have different expertise areas. For example, on employee may be an expert on Linux systems while another may be a wiz when it comes to database management using MySQL. If a company is presented with a unique challenge that requires a specific expertise, that the VICO doesn’t have; he or she can reach out to their team members to offer the best, well-informed services to their clients.
Are you interested in getting a Virtual CIO for your company? Roan Solutions is more than happy to help. Contact us today to find out how you can add a VCIO to your company’s management team.
