The rising stakes for public sector CIOs to make the right technology bets

Rob Schaeffer is president and chief revenue officer of e360, an enterprise IT services company that has been providing cloud, infrastructure, security and digital workplace solutions and managed services to hundreds of public and commercial enterprises for over three decades.

Technology’s constant evolution has always presented CIOs with the challenge of how best to balance planning for the future while meeting the demands of day-to-day operations. That’s especially true at government agencies.

Public sector organizations aren’t alone in facing budget constraints; commercial enterprises do, too. However, government agency CIOs also have to align their IT investments with the ups and downs of budgets that are typically legislated annually or biannually.

The recurring lack of funding predictability not only makes long-term planning difficult, but also injects uncertainty into shorter-term projects critical to keeping IT operations up to date.

The bygone era of predictability

By many measures, the challenge of anticipating future IT needs has become significantly more complex over the past 20 years.

Two decades ago, technological advancements followed a relatively linear and predictable path. Hardware improvements — marked by the introduction of faster processors and larger storage capacities — drove the evolution of software. CIOs could typically plan and budget for technology refreshes every three to five years, knowing they would align with the release cycles of major hardware and software vendors. The upshot was a degree of planning predictability and minimal disruption to business operations.

The advent of the Internet and cloud computing disrupted this predictable pattern. The Internet accelerated the pace of software development and distribution, leading to software updates becoming available faster and more frequently. The launch of Amazon Web Services’ commercial cloud in 2006 soon provided enterprises with the revolutionary means to invest in the latest technology as a service instead of a capital expense. It also allowed agencies to adopt new infrastructure and software solutions without significant upfront investment.

The new challenge for CIOs

Those and other innovations, such as software-defined networks and advances in mobile communications — not to mention the explosion of new forms of cyber threats — have forced CIOs to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable and ever-changing technology landscape.

And now, of course, comes the added complexity of a new generation of artificial intelligence that cloud and IT providers are injecting into their solutions. Put another way, the big challenge for CIOs is knowing what technology to bet on.

As an organization that specializes in working closely with the leading cloud and technology providers and actively serving hundreds of enterprise accounts, we’ve learned from experience that regardless of how much technology changes, CIOs are better prepared to succeed when they:

• Embrace a culture of experimentation: Encourage the adoption of new technologies on a smaller scale, allowing for testing and evaluation before committing to a larger investment.
• Adopt a flexible technology architecture: Choose technologies that can be easily integrated and scaled, allowing for greater agility and responsiveness to change.
• Invest in continuous learning: Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends, ensuring that your organization is prepared to adapt to change.
• Partner with experienced technology vendors: Leverage technology vendors’ expertise to stay ahead of the curve and identify the most promising solutions for your organization.

Navigating a rapidly changing IT world

Working with technology partners who not only have extensive technical knowledge but also experience working with government enterprises and understanding their unique needs has perhaps never been more important for government agencies.

Working with an experienced partner like e360, for instance, helps agencies navigate the complexities of modern technology, identify the right tools for the job, and implement solutions that deliver tangible results. That involves taking a holistic approach and offering a combination of:

• Technical and human expertise: e360’s team of seasoned professionals boasts extensive experience across a wide range of technologies, ensuring that agencies receive expert guidance at every step of the process, acting as an extension of their business.
• Customer-centric focus: e360 prioritizes listening to clients and understanding their unique goals, allowing them to design solutions that meet both immediate needs and long-term objectives.
• Strategic partnerships: e360 partners with top technology providers like Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), giving agencies access to cutting-edge solutions and ensuring compatibility with existing systems.
• Comprehensive services: e360 offers a full spectrum of professional consulting and managed services, from human capital management and modern infrastructure to cloud solutions and cybersecurity, providing a one-stop shop for all agency technology needs.
• Proven results: e360’s track record of success, with over 400 unique customers served last year, speaks to its ability to deliver value and build lasting relationships.

While e360 works with many state and local organizations, we make it especially easy for public sector entities in California, for example, through a pre-negotiated contract with the state, which streamlines procurement, ensures competitive pricing, and simplifies the process of acquiring HPE technology.

In the face of rapid technological change, government agencies can’t afford to be left behind. But the stakes are also getting higher to bet on the most appropriate technology to meet their current and future needs. By partnering with e360, agencies can harness the power of innovation, maximize their technology investments, and better serve the needs of their constituents.

Learn how e360 can help your organization navigate today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.