What is an IT director?
An IT manager (CIO) is the IT right-hand man of the company's manager. He proposes and operationalizes the IT strategy of the company. He intervenes at different levels in the management and optimization of the company's information system (hardware and software infrastructures, information architecture, business tools, dedicated internal and / or external human resources, old technology, etc.).
From the establishment of specifications, to the choice and monitoring of IT suppliers and service providers, up to the choice of the configuration of IT solutions, the IT director intervenes at all levels of IT project management, whether or not accompanied by an IT team. He is often a privileged interlocutor in the conduct and management of change in the company.
Today, major IT upheavals in companies are changing the role of the IT director (CIO) but he remains the guarantor of an integrated and secure information system. Indeed, the availability of business applications in the cloud, the rise of social networks, the use of private equipment of employees in the company, the virtualization of infrastructures and services invites IT management to rethink the IT strategy of the company when it is not the overall strategy of the company which is called into question and which strongly impacts the information system of the company.
The IT director must anticipate the needs of the company and provide innovative solutions to business issues.
Why hire an IT director in an SME?
No, IT management is not reserved for large companies! Today, IT is present at all levels, the IT needs of an SME are numerous and the choices are often strategic.
An IT director can help the manager of an SME to respond to many problems, such as:
The IT director often sheds new light on the IT management of an SME, which goes beyond managing computers and the computer network. IT must be at the service of the company and offer adequate responses to improve management processes.
Why is a timeshare IT department an efficient solution for SMEs?
Using high-level executives is often out of reach for SMEs. Today, several functions in an SME are increasingly performed on a timeshare basis. It’s common to have a financial or human resources manager present only a few days a month, depending on the needs of the business.
The same model can obviously be implemented for IT, a full-time IT department is not often necessary in an SME. For this reason, a time-share IT director, present punctually or at a regular frequency (from a few hours to a few days per month) is an ideal and efficient response for an SME.
What is the role of an IT director in a small SME or for a self-employed person?
In a small SME or with a freelance, the IT director will rather play the role of IT advisor in the choice of IT equipment and solutions but will also bring another vision of IT by trying to offer innovative solutions with regard to the activity. He will also be operational in the field and will not hesitate to intervene directly to help with the configuration or installation of IT tools.
For more information, consult the CIO Services or contact us.