Managing IT is not just about resolving computer issues; it’s about supporting your mission, removing uncertainty and helping you reach your business goals. The problem many businesses are now facing though is that their existing IT resources may be adequate at responding to immediate IT issues using a model referred to as break-fix – but they do not possess the proactive or strategic prudence required to build a technology infrastructure that is custom-designed for the business, which helps the organization overcome unique challenges and achieve its business goals.

Many business leaders do not recognize the need for a strategy behind their technology. They want someone, and in some cases, anyone available (qualified or not) to fix problems when they occasionally crop up, but it doesn’t make sense to them to pay someone a salary for this when they are only rarely needed.  In today’s IT landscape, it is unnecessary to pay someone to sit around and surf social media and watch videos while waiting for something to break to get them back to work.

Most companies in Canada continue to outsource to purely reactive IT support companies, thereby missing out on the additional business value that can be provided by a true IT partner, one who offers reactive support, and also proactive monitoring, IT strategy, and technology consulting.

When business leaders do recognize the need for a strategic approach to technology, it is usually a traditional IT person who is given the task – and all too often, they fail to provide value because they only understand technology – not business.

Businesses that don’t change and embrace a strategic approach to their technology risk falling behind their competitors. Businesses using technology effectively to overcome their challenges will be more efficient, able to get more done with less and be more flexible for future change – eventually becoming market leaders.