IT management: digital tools for a greater efficiency
Information Systems Directors (ISDs), who steer IT within companies, juggle a busy day-to-day schedule. Between managing infrastructures and rolling out new projects, their responsibilities abound. So how do they manage their multiple roles without losing efficiency? The key lies in a range of dedicated tools, enabling optimal management of activities. These include project management solutions to coordinate teams, ERP systems to centralize data, and Cloud platforms to simplify hosting. Let's take a closer look at the must-have digital tools for CIOs looking to boost performance.
Project management software: a must-have solution
To effectively manage IT projects, IT Departments need to be able to rely on dedicated tools that provide an overview. Project management software meets this need.
On the one hand, these software suites enable fine-tuned planning of tasks within a project, with precise sequencing of the various stages. This enables project managers to draw up realistic schedules, identifying key milestones and expected deliverables.
In addition, the dashboards integrated into these solutions provide an overview of project progress. In real time, project managers can see whether projects are on time and on budget. If necessary, they can react quickly to resolve any bottlenecks.
ERP, modular solutions for centralizing data
The second type of tool favored by CIOs is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). These are modular project solutions designed to centralize all company information, both financial and operational.
In concrete terms, ERP systems (such as SAP or Microsoft Dynamics 365, for example) are made up of different interconnected modules: sales management, accounting and financial management, human resources management, supply chain management, etc. Each module covers the project needs of a particular department, and all share a single, common database. Each module covers a department's project needs, and all share a single, common database.
This architecture offers multiple benefits for an IS project. First and foremost, it encourages the cross-functional circulation of information between the teams involved. This gives the CIO a 360° view of each initiative in real time. What's more, updating data is simplified, avoiding re-keying and limiting the risk of error.
By interconnecting all departments and all data, ERP systems promote holistic company management.
CRM: a must for building customer loyalty
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solutions are a third type of tool used by IT Departments. Customer-oriented, these applications aim to collect, process and analyze data relating to prospects and customers.
As part of IT projects, CRMs offer several major advantages for IT Departments. First and foremost, they enable all customer interactions to be centralized: e-mails, telephone calls, physical meetings and so on. Nothing escapes the radar thanks to this unified system.
What's more, CRMs frequently integrate marketing campaign management functions. This enables teams to plan targeted promotional actions to increase lead generation. By identifying the most promising prospects, CIOs optimize their chances of securing new contracts.
Among the most widely used CRMs on the market are Hubspot, Pipedrive and Salesforce.
HRIS: invaluable allies in talent management
Another tool not to be overlooked by CIOs is human resources management. Between recruiting IT profiles, integrating new recruits and managing careers, the challenges abound. Fortunately, HR information systems (HRIS) are invaluable allies on this front.
In practice, HRIS, like Cegid's, centralize all HR data and processes digitally, within a single project: employee files, organization charts, recruitment campaigns, time and activity management, payroll management, and so on.
Thanks to this unified platform, CIOs can considerably optimize the administrative management of their employees. No more disparate Excel spreadsheets and time-consuming manual tasks!
Purchasing IS: essential support
Purchasing is another area that CIOs must not neglect. Between managing calls for tender, selecting suppliers and monitoring procurement budgets, there's no shortage of work to be done.
These tools bring together project requirements planning, supplier order management, logistics processing and corporate accounting in a single point. CIOs benefit from a consolidated view of the purchasing function from end to end.
In addition, this tool frequently features process automation and management functions. This simplifies the use of purchase orders, the validation of supplier invoices and other tedious tasks. This frees up valuable team time.
Purchasing ISs include: Ivalua, Isybuy, Esker...
Budget management software
Budget management software is another must-have application for CIOs.
In the context of IS projects, they have several major benefits. Firstly, they enable decision-makers to allocate financial resources by initiative, and to build realistic budgets. By accurately anticipating expenditure, they minimize the risk of slippage.
In addition, some budget management software packages take integration a step further. They directly interconnect the company's cost accounting, purchasing and cash management systems. This gives CIOs an even more global view of the company.
Ultimately, by relying on these business solutions, CIOs substantially strengthen their budgetary management. An essential asset, given the critical importance of finance in IT initiatives, which are subject to severe constraints.
Hosting solutions: the cloud
So far, we've reviewed a number of business and software solutions capable of transforming CIO management in the enterprise. However, to take full advantage of these tools, they need to be deployed in the best possible conditions. And in this respect, cloud hosting is undoubtedly the trend of the future.
Cloud hosting guarantees high availability of business-critical applications. Relying on powerful data centers and proven backup mechanisms, it offers a very high level of resilience.
By relying on SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions hosted on state-of-the-art cloud platforms, CIOs benefit from an ideal IT environment. Flexibility, security and innovation become the daily norm!
Digital adoption platforms
As we've seen, CIOs now have a wide range of business tools and software at their disposal, enabling them to improve the operational efficiency of their organizations. But in order to exploit their full potential, they need to be able to deploy them and get their teams to adopt them successfully.
This is precisely the mission of digital adoption platforms: to support IT departments from start to finish as theyassimilation a new tool.
So, by relying on this type of turnkey adoption platform, CIOs maximize their chances of taking full advantage of the tools discussed in this article.
Knowmore, an expert in digital adoption, will support you from A to Z to take advantage of these tools. From solution selection to user training, our turnkey platforms optimize your digital transformation. Boost your teams' agility today!