Fujitsu Technology Solutions has warned that excessive caution
amongst CIOs and IT directors could be hampering innovation as
research showed that just one in 10 admits to taking an aggressive,
early adopter approach to new technologies.
In a survey of 200 IT directors and CIOs conducted by research
firm Coleman
Parkes for Fujitsu Technology Solutions, few IT directors
classed themselves as innovators. The majority labelled themselves
as followers.
Over half claimed they would not adopt a technology until it had
proven successful in other installations. One in three (32%) said
any technology would have to be "industry standard" before they
even considered implementation within their company.
The survey found that 38% of IT leaders said they were
increasingly required to justify costs as budgets tighten. As a
result the majority of IT leaders (79%) have focused their IT
activities on cost reduction.
One of the respondents - a FTSE 350 retail company CIO, said,
"The larger, more stable companies cannot afford to be innovators
as they might lose out competitively if implementations go
wrong."
Another retail company CIO said, "IT is naturally risk averse
and likes to use tried and trusted technology because it impacts so
many parts of the business."
Paul Parrish, UK managing director for Fujitsu Technology
Solutions, said, "Companies face the dual challenge of cost saving
and continued innovation against the backdrop of the worst economic
climate for decades. Progress in some companies will undoubtedly
stall in 2009 but for others, the recession will act as a catalyst
for change. Forward-thinking businesses will find new ways to gain
a lead over their competitors and move on relatively unscathed.
Those that are able to harness the power of IT in the coming months
will be fitter and leaner for the upturn when it inevitably
comes."