Great technology is no longer just an important component of
successful companies; in many instances it is the backbone or driving element
behind the companies themselves. Entire industries now exist for computer
hardware, software and services which not even the creators of The Jetsons could have possibly visualized.

Most of us now carry smartphones in our pockets which are
far more powerful than the computers used by NASA during the Apollo moon
landing in 1969, just a few decades ago. Gone are the days when an office
contained a blotter, desk phone, file cabinet and typewriter – and in a similar
fashion, many of the old business methods are gone too.

Technology on its own isn’t a solution unless properly
implemented by effective leaders who understand both the value and
considerations behind it.  Whether using
virtualization, BYOD, Big Data or cloud computing, simply hooking something up
and turning it on doesn’t guarantee success. In fact, without proper guidance
such endeavors can turn into a money pit of wasted labor, planning and
investment. However, there is a building perception in some business avenues
that the old paradigm of in-house IT departments is fading away and technology
leaders can be replaced by outsourced or off-site services. With so much at
stake now the role, capabilities and direction of the CIO (Chief Information
Officer) is at a critical crossroads. Will this position blossom through
untapped potential or stagnate and wither away?

We’d like to hear your thoughts on the CIO position and
where it presently stands in your company. With that in mind, Tech Pro Research
is surveying IT pros such as yourself to find out about CIO involvement at
their company, the integration of business and tech realms, purchasing,
staffing, current trends and standards which still remain useful in a new
landscape. Our goal is to help readers determine what defines a successful CIO,
how the role has evolved and where it needs improvement in order to thrive.

The survey is open to CIOs and non-CIOs alike. Furthermore,
the term “CTO” (Chief Technology Officer) is often used interchangeably with
“CIO.” While there are existing definitions describing a CTO as someone who implements new technology in a
customer-oriented fashion and who works with existing technology directed
towards business operations, we use the term CIO here to refer to the C-level
executive in charge of all technology and the company focus thereon.

Please take the Tech Pro Research
survey on the CIO as a business catalyst and share your thoughts with us.
At the end of the survey, you will be offered a free copy of the resulting
research report, normally only available to Tech Pro Research premium
subscribers.

Tech Pro Research is a joint venture between TechRepublic and ZDNet. Tech Pro Research provides the information that IT leaders and
business managers need to solve today’s toughest IT problems and make
informed decisions.