4 Ways IT Can Respond to a SaaS Outbreak

Lessons from the C-Suite

via Softchoice Innovation Executive Forum

About the IEF

The Softchoice Innovation Executive Forum gives senior IT executives a platform to share experiences and engage in discussions about trends affecting their business and their role as a business leader.

From over 10 roundtables that took place all across North America, Softchoice collected 4 CIO unique viewpoints related to SaaS usage, response paths and strategies to bring cloud-based applications into standard operations.

Every IT leader approaches SaaS outbreaks differently based on culture, industry, security and most importantly level of partnership with the business. Here’s 4 unique viewpoints on SaaS in the enterprise and how they respond:

The Full Lockdown

CIO

The Experimental

CIO

The Partner

CIO

The Incubator

CIO

SaaS Outbreak Response #1: The Full Lockdown CIO

One CIO with a business associated with the healthcare field spoke out on their use of SaaS (or lack thereof),

“We don’t use much Software-as-Service. In many ways, I am my own cloud, seeking to deliver applications in a similar way… we’ve gone into full lockdown and do not allow access to the internet.”

- CIO, Health Services

SaaS Outbreak Response #2: The Experimental CIO

Some organizations may choose to let the business unit, “experiment on their dime” as one CIO shared, indicating there is vast value delivered within the organization by allowing the flexibility for an organization to evaluate solutions independently. “SaaS isn’t always a bad thing, most of our users simply see it as a way to get things done and you shouldn’t feel compelled to waste all your time worrying about it [SaaS] until it gets large enough to truly understand the impact – either positive or negative.”

- CIO, CPG Firm

SaaS Outbreak Response #3: The Partner CIO

Let your users be your guide. “We allow our users, as much as possible, to pick their personal productivity tools,” the executive shared, “Get your work done the way you want. It’s my job to make sure it all works together.”

This perspective of IT as an enabler of change – a sort of medium between users and the workforce of the future — is a product of the rapid consumerization of IT and the multitudes of excellent SaaS options out there. Users don’t simply want better applications to get their work done. They demand it.

- CIO, High Tech Enterprise

SaaS Outbreak Response #4: The Incubator CIO

“Many of our consultants, carry 20-30 years’ experience and are light users of IT however in the past 5 years we’ve seen younger demographics entering the workforce bringing with them new solutions to get work done,” shared this IT leader. He indicated they’ve seen a rise in the use of Dropbox, Yammer and other applications. He shared that however much control you attempt to place on the digital experience it becomes, “a never ending battle to plug the holes.” In contrast to traditional IT processes, this leader uses this group of tech-savvy users as a group to learn from and observe, to ultimately enhance the overall experience of the firm.

- CIO, Global Architectural Design Firm

SaaS Outbreak Summary

Regardless the organizational maturity, culture and security risk of SaaS usage – it is knocking at your door and it continues to be a critical step to align and partner with the business.

Brining SaaS into the standard operations of an IT organization creates new options and barriers. Softchoice has helped well over 500 clients manage through this transformation. Learn more…