Expertspeak: How Data Can Help Realize Your Business’ Potential

Moving data to the cloud is something more and more businesses are aiming to do, as it makes great business sense, but it is not a simple process. Data, often vast in scale, is an underutilized resource that enterprises are tasked with leveraging so that it can be better put to use. This requires CIOs to develop detailed, technical plans to manage the shift from relatively antiquated data management systems to updated ones, which allow seamless communication, and reduced manual maintenance.

CIOs and experts, working on upgrading their organization’s systems for the cloud, share their thoughts about data access, how to handle data sovereignty, and other aspects related to data. One thing they all have in common was the desire to acquire real-time insights from vast amounts of data.

Making data real in everyday functioning

Gerard Spans, CIO at Acardis, the 128 year-old Amsterdam-based infrastructure design consultancy

Takeaway: Data can provide knowledge to key decision-makers to help make informed decisions.

Know about data gravity, and ensure data accessibility to all so they ask the bigger questions

Catherine Kendall, CIO at California Department of Conservation

Tom Morgan, Oracle Apps DBA Manager at Darling Ingredients, a sustainable bio-nutrient producer

“The ability to stream real-time data from the production line into our financial and forecasting systems is an untapped resource. When we start pulling this information into our supply chain, the benefits will be enormous.”

Takeaway: As data grows in magnitude and complexity, the need for its integration with multiple applications, and the need for its analysis and accessibility to all stakeholders at the right time are critical. This also allows for preparedness.  

Making transformation relevant to employees

Lisa Major, VP of Business Transformation at ARRIS, an entertainment and communications technology outfit

“I see an opportunity to transform the company’s IT function into a strategic business partner that’s driving actionable customer insights. Communicating the importance of everyone’s role and where they’ll fit in is critical from the outset. I recommend making transformation relevant by explaining IT’s evolving role, providing examples of progress, and showcasing new opportunities. Clearly communicate how teams will benefit from the new system.

“Talking to finance teams dealing with multiple ERP systems, we saw how painful it was. We said, ‘We’re going to automate those journal entries; we’re going to shave three days off your close cycle.’ Those are things we are confident we can deliver. And that’s how we’ve been trying to message this transformation: Make it meaningful to everybody and don’t talk in corporate speak.”

Takeaway: Chalk out the benefits and challenges employees may face, and upgrade their roles in the process.

Don’t be rigid about data

Steven Chang, CIO at Kingold Group, a real estate developer in Guangzhou, China

Takeaway: Be flexible about attitudes towards data security, ownership, and sovereignty in the larger interest of the business.

Conclusion: To bring about effective change, therefore, it is imperative for CIOs to dive into the realities of their businesses hands on and be part of the strategy team to ensure data migration to the cloud as painless as possible. Kendall sums up the CIO’s role well when she says, “As a former programmer, I get it. It’s our responsibility to come further across the table to learn the business, instead of just code slinging.”