Arnaud Proust, founder of Percy Miller (consulting company for IT project management) and Fabrice Noël, CIO of SODEXI (company specialised in international shipment), discuss about the most important IT challenges for companies in 2016 / 2017 !
The choice of IT equipment influences daily operations and the functioning of companies. The strive for productivity, efficiency, cost management and new technologies are huge challenges !
1. What are the main IT challenges for companies in 2016/2017 ?
Arnaud Proust: Due to our daily work, we benefit from our knowledge regarding customers’ expectations and needs. One main tendency affecting all sectors is dematerialisation. Data remains another omnipresent topic. Especially, the operating business is affected by Big Data. These are the main topics for the next 18 to 24 month.
Fabrice Noël: This question is much more complex than it seems to be…. With regard to the new technologies, the TimeToMarket is one big challenge. Since there is a lot of competition we have to flexible. As part of the IT management you have to respond quickly to requests of collaborators and you have to meet partners’ expectations. Therefore, it is important that we can rely on the knowhow of experts. It is necessary to observe the technological development and its innovations in order to be able to evaluate them. Nevertheless, you should think critically and focus on the needs of your own sector.
2. Who is today responsible for IT projects – the executive board or the IT department ?
Arnaud Proust: The balance has shifted. Sometimes there are projects involving the whole department or company and then there are some projects where only the head of department is involved. In general, the knowledge and competencies regarding technology are less pronounced. Today, everything is IT and linked to technology. However, the technology is useful because it provides a general overview when projects are implemented. Different dimensions, e.g. administration or profits, are taken into account.
Fabrice Noël: The development during the last years led to a certain balance. The IT department has new competencies on a different level. Today, the departments’ needs and requirements are more important and we consider this when taking a decision. We have to listen, to understand and to analyse the departments’ needs in order to find an appropriate solution for them. We are in daily contact with all departments and together, we strive for continuous improvements.
3. How to be sure to take the right decision?
Arnaud Proust: A good knowledge about your environment is required. You can gain this by using the right tools and you should act without having any prejudices. Percy Miller relies on his experiences in various business sectors and feedbacks given. Moreover, the feedback helps us to meet the expectations of today’s leaders. Finally, you should be able to pick the right moment in order to avoid to act as early adopter or to be old fashioned.
Fabrice Noël: Our aim is always to be well-informed! We read professional magazines and observe the media. It is our task to anticipate and to be informed about future trends. However, this is not enough. We cooperate regularly with experts in order to receive new impetus. For testing new solutions, laboratories are installed at any time. Nevertheless, financial and economic constraints force us to be more cautious and failures have to be avoided.
