The results of a Gartner survey of CIOs released Jan. 18 show that IT organizations around the world are facing increased priorities with “flat IT budgets in 2012.”  Worldwide, budgets increased an average of just half a percent, while spending is decreasing in North America and Europe.

The added weight to the 800-pound gorilla on the backs of CIOs is the fact they are being asked to deliver more with less. The survey pulsed more than 2,300 CIOs across 37 industries and 45 countries with a combined IT budget of $321 billion

“In the face of continued economic uncertainty and government austerity, business strategies call for a combination of growth and operational efficiency,” said Mark McDonald, group vice president for Gartner Executive Programs and Gartner Fellow. “Present economic conditions may tempt CIOs to force IT back into cost-cutting mode, but senior executives expect technology — and this includes IT — to address the tough challenges by amplifying enterprise strategies and operations.”

Among the top ranked business priorities (see the chart below) for the companies surveyed is delivering operational results (#5) and improving efficiency (36); and the top 10 technology priorities includes analytics and business intelligence (#1) and IT management (#6). There is a strong focus on combining analytics with other technologies to create new and better capabilities. The Garter survey cited the example combination of analytics and supply chain for improved process management and improvement.

One way to address those priorities is through responsible IT asset management programs. For many companies, IT asset disposition is a complex and daunting task. Trying to manage the process internally can be costly and time consuming, draining both financial and manpower resources. Partnering with companies such as HOBI International is proven to be a simple solution to the complexity of the ITAD process, and it can certainly ease the burden of IT organizations having to do more with less money.

Responsible ITAD providers understand the process of redeeming assets to extend their life and maximize their economic value. Companies like HOBI are equipped to handle every step of the ITAD process for their clients, including data erasure, logistics, deinstallation, resale and remarketing, recycling and environmental compliance. Securing a relationship with an ITAD vendor eliminates the cost of training your staff on data erasure, environmental and compliance regulations, and it offers a chance to have your assets remarketed and resold, gaining an end-of-life ROI of your IT assets.

Contact us to learn more about how HOBI can minimize your ITAD costs.

Top 10 CIO Business and Technology Priorities in 2012

Source: Gartner Executive Programs (January 2012)