One of the biggest problems surrounding the adopting of new technology is that often companies take a device-centric approach. However, businesses will likely be far better off if they first think about the problems they currently face instead, and then look to new IT solutions to address those dilemmas.

In particular, one of the biggest problems with the mindset of early adopters – those who are among the first to purchase newly available hardware or software – is that they often invest in the technology for the wrong reasons, according to User Interface Engineering contributor Jared Spool. For example, many early adopters gain a new product simply to say that they are the first to have it, without considering security or other variables beforehand. As a result, a number of firms are likely seeing a poor return on investment for their new solutions.

“A pragmatic and proactive response rather than a reactive one is required,” recommended Paul Van Kessel, Global IT Risk and Assurance Leader at Ernst & Young. “Information security needs to be more visible in the board room with a clearly defined strategy that will support the business in the cloud and elsewhere. Most companies still have a long way to go to make this a reality.”

Benefits of a solution-oriented mentality
Instead of getting new technology in order to be ahead of the pack or just because it seems like it would be beneficial, companies should institute a problem-solution mentality into their IT procurement strategy, Forrester Research Analyst Randy Heffner wrote in a blog post earlier this month.

Ultimately, a business aiming to improve profitability needs to make its workflows more efficient. Technology can do that, but only if it addresses the problems that prevent companies from improving, Heffner said. This can involve approaching technology procurement and integration from a totally new angle. Under this better methodology, companies first consider their challenges and then look to see if available solutions are able to either solve them or at least make them less pressing of an issue.

“Business-centered integration – or ‘digital business design’ as I like to call it – aims to deliver measured improvement in specific business outcomes that a businessperson directly cares about,” Heffner wrote. “Its central model centers on six business design points, each of which a businessperson also cares about  -or should. As an integration strategy, digital business design aims to establish the decision models, design guidance, skills, delivery processes, agile governance, and infrastructure for a continuous cycle of business improvement.”

Companies looking to institute this kind of IT procurement approach may want to consider working with a managed IT services firm first to make sure involved variables are being properly considered. In this regard, FlexITy emerges as an ideal option, becoming one of Canada’s largest managed services companies in part by pioneering a technology integration approach which first takes into account key business needs and concerns before recommending a technology solution. FlexITy’s six-step process ensures that organizations get top-of-the-line IT solutions to meet the business needs of enterprises today and in the future.

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