What is a vCTO and does your business need one?
Put simply, a vCTO (virtual Chief Technology Officer) is an IT director without the hefty price tag.
Many organisations have reached the conclusion that digital transformation is a necessary step in remaining competitive, but budgetary constraints can get in the way of forming robust IT departments. As businesses shift to operating primarily online, it’s essential to have someone responsible and accountable for IT infrastructure in a C-level role. But with CTO’s costing upwards of £120,000 pa, many organisations may not have the means to bring someone in-house.
With a vCTO, you’ll be afforded flexible board presence at an agreed frequency to best suit your organisation, via a third-party. After learning the ins and outs of your business, your vCTO will stand in with your key stakeholders to aid with key business decisions involving technology, providing accountability, professionalism and expertise at a board-level.
Providing key stakeholders with valuable insights, explanations, support and advice surrounding technology is invaluable to businesses of any size. With guidance, strategy, roadmaps and budgets all taken care of, as well as technology business reviews and managed services metrics to keep things on track. A vCTO is all about helping you get the most out of your tech.
Furthermore, if you already have an internal IT manager or director, your vCTO will support them in reaching higher project deliverables with no disruption to the day-to-day IT demands of an organisation. As an entirely flexible and scalable service, your vCIO can be tailored to suit your exact requirements, whether it takes total ownership of your IT estate, or simply complements your existing IT function.
Essentially, bringing in a vCTO ensures you can focus on the important stuff whilst resting assured that your technology budget, strategy and reporting is taken care of. This service is designed to help your business grow, take the pressure off and provide guidance and support for all things technology related.
And though ‘virtual’ may suggest otherwise, the relationship between an organisation and its vCTO should be strong, productive and personal.
