International Data Corporation (IDC) has confirmed that more than 100 key ICT decision makers will attend its upcoming South Africa CIO Summit, to be held at The Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg on 24 and 25 March under the theme “IT Meets Business”.
The global advisory services firm said that technology leaders from the private sector will join senior government advisors and a roster of highly influential CxOs at the event as some of the world’s most innovative technology vendors address the key issues facing organizations in today’s constantly evolving ICT environment.
“Across the country, organizations are faced with the task of driving innovation and implementing emerging products and services while also trying to improve operational efficiency,” says Mark Walker, associate vice-president of sub-Saharan Africa at IDC. “This will be a key topic of discussion during the two-day summit, as will the importance of closely aligning the strategies and goals of the organisation’s IT and business functions.”
Walker says that the CIO today is facing a number of different challenges which has forced them to change the way they operate within the organisation. “They need to focus on business priorities rather than just a purely technical discussion, and are continuously tasked with ensuring that the technology they implement drive business priorities.
“This means that in order for them to succeed, they will have to be able to exert influence within other parts of the business, translating technology terminology into business speak and showcasing the value that these solutions bring to the business as a whole,” he says.
IDC will also introduce a set of two workshops, based on its IT Executive Programs. IDC’s IT Executive Programs consist of a series of research agendas aimed at helping today’s IT executives make more effective technology decisions.
“Our IT Executive Programs are underpinned by accurate and timely fact-based research created to assist IT executives in mitigating technology risks, maximising the effectiveness of IT investments, and identifying and capitalising on new opportunities,” says Walker. “The aim is ultimately to enable IT executives to make decisions that drive innovation and agility across the organisation while ensuring that IT and business objectives are fully aligned.”
The CIO Summit presents an opportunity for CIOs and ICT professionals to gain insight from industry experts as well as CIOs on critical business and technology issues. IDC analysts along with numerous local and global ICT vendors will be on hand to present their unique insights into the trends that are shaping ICT adoption across the country, while a variety of senior line-of-business executives will offer that all-important non-IT perspective.
For more information about IDC’s South Africa CIO Summit 2015 and to learn about the range of flexible partnership opportunities on offer, please contact Michelle Meldau, IDCs sales manager for sub-Saharan Africa at mmeldau@idc.com.
