The impact of Consumer IT on Enterprise IT
Enormous development and innovation in Consumer IT has revolutionised our personal lives, allowing us to interact and communicate in new ways with ease and fluidity. An individual now has, in their hands, the power to connect with the world and collaborate like never before. Increased internet access, broadband and mobile technology allows us to access anything, anywhere, anytime, and social media enables us to communicate with the world instantly.
“This large scale development in Consumer IT is now set to influence Enterprise IT as employees start to demand the same levels of integration and connectivity in their workplace that they experience as consumers on their own mobile devices,” says Advanced Cloud Technologies Managing Director, Patrick Evans. “Employees are looking for the same levels of power and integration in their work functions as they enjoy in their personal life and this is placing pressure on Enterprise IT,” explains Evans.
Changing global business dynamics are also driving the necessity for change in Enterprise IT. “In many ways the standardised business systems of financial management, order processing, inventory management, human resources, customer relationship management and logistics no longer fit with flexible, dynamic, innovative business units,” says Evans. New organisational teams need to be able to collaborate with team members and colleagues around the world. The structure of business is moving away from hierarchies, towards business networks of specialised collaborators. Global business teams are engaged in increased levels of communication, coordination and collaboration in order to meet the demands of modern business. Enterprise IT now needs to respond to these business changes. Any Enterprise IT solution needs to incorporate global, mobile, social and virtual elements in order to address the complexities of global business relationships and create consumer interactions online.
“Following the lead of Consumer IT, Enterprise IT leaders need to focus on creating an enhanced customer experience for their clients and employees. In order to do this, companies need to create a holistic customer experience, which has been thought through from end to end, incorporating mobile, social and virtual elements in a holistic and integrated way. Enterprise customers are looking for the superior experience that Consumer IT has delivered to them. Now enterprises need to leverage the growing wave of mobile, social, cloud and big data to enhance their customers overall experience,” says Evans.
“Businesses that revolutionise their IT systems in response to the new demands on Enterprise IT can expect to reap the rewards of their investment in the form of a more fulfilled and effective workforce, increased business agility and flexibility, access to talent from across the globe, as well as increased brand awareness and positive market sentiment,” says Evans.
“Organisations need to correct their IT architecture to include systems that increase communication, collaboration and cooperation. The Enterprise IT revolution is underway. It may not be as exciting as that of Consumer IT, but it is necessary to bring Enterprise IT up to the levels of engagement and integration demanded by today’s consumers,” concludes Evans.