A Virtual CIO is an outsourced individual or IT firm that collaborates and advises a client’s IT department and performs the same functions as a conventional CIO. Those duties include formulating strategic IT goals, planning the IT budget, analyzing, and reworking business processes, and facilitating technology changes. The vCIO helps customers maintain and secure their existing IT infrastructure and can provide a smooth transition until a full-time CIO can be trained and hired or can be a long-term or permanent solution.
The definition of the role of a vCIO can vary significantly from one managed service provider to another so it’s important to establish Key Expectations. Many MSPs offer vCIO services to their clients, but the quality of the assistance they give can (and should) be a deal-breaker for companies looking toward having a comprehensive model of support. When evaluating a vCIO you should first look for a provider with broad industry knowledge of technology trends. A vCIO should also have strong project management skills and tools to track a project’s progress from start to finish. A vCIO should be able to work within your budget and help you optimize cost and evaluate ROI. Finally, a vCIO should be available and flexible to changing plans and directives and consistently strive to achieve all Technology goals and objectives.
Perhaps the biggest benefit to using a vCIO is the cost savings. A virtual CIO service can be offered either at an hourly rate, an on-demand model, or it can be offered as a monthly subscription service. Any of these approaches are often less expensive than paying for a full-time CIO's salary and benefits. While foregoing a full-time CIO salary is the number one cost-benefit of having a vCIO, there are many other cost advantages. A vCIO is easier and quicker to onboard, saving an HR Department’s time and resources. The 24/7 availability of vCIO services can minimize the cost of unexpected downtime, which can quickly use up valuable time and resources. And some small to medium-sized businesses may not be large enough to warrant the full-time CIO salary, however, that doesn’t mean they can forgo the technical knowledge and advice that the vCIO role would offer.
Most companies have a difficult time keeping up with their core business challenges and matching those challenges to the use of their internal technology. The goal of CareServ’s vCIO is to leverage the best technology for your business so you can increase revenue and decrease expenses. Another strategic advantage lies in having a neutral third-party viewpoint. The CareServ vCIO can assess the current technology without bias and contrast how different technology methods and procedures might lead to better outcomes. Most of all, SMB’s can expect to gain an advantage over competitors by using our vCIO. Since the CareServ vCIO alternates service to different organizations daily, we always have fresh eyes to see each organization’s needs. This unique perspective allows us to assess how other businesses are reaching comparable technology objectives and apply that knowledge to your business.
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