‘The IT Department is not a service provider’

Yesterday (Mar 3, 2010), I’ve spent an interesting day at the Cebit in Hannover, the ‘world’s biggest computer fair’ (really?). Overall, I didn’t find anything revolutionary. The fair was really busy, with many people at least in the central halls. It was a very interesting day anyhow. For me, presentations and panel discussions and new business contacts were most important.

In the morning, I joined a presentation of the results of a study being performed every year (‘IT Studie 2010′), which asks IT decision makers (CIOs, COOs etc.) of medium-sized to large companies about current and expected future developments. I’ll post more about it in my next post.

The panel discussion following the presentation of the study results was really interesting, with CIOs of Allianz, Fraport and Daimler AG, and the Managing Director of SAP in Germany, Michael Kleinemeier.

Towards the end, when discussing the CIO’s and IT’ role in modern companies, Daimler’s CIO Dr. Gorriz made a very clear statement: ‘The IT department is NOT a service provider within the company’. That was when I thought ‘hum?’, but then he continued: ‘… but an integral part, business partner and enabler’. Ok, that made sense.

For me, this is one more symbol for the IT growing up. It may sound pretty bold at first, but when you think about it, most companies could not survive without effective IT support of their business. In many cases, the business is purely immaterial, totally dependent on IT. This has implications for the CIO role and for IT strategy as well. IT strategy is not just an afterthought of the business strategy of the company, but needs to be fully integrated, and jointly developed.

It was really good to see this group of modern, self-confident CIOs, and Herrn Kleinemeier in the middle of them, sharing their thoughts. If possible, I’ll attend the same presentation next year. And then I’ll make sure I’ll have the time to enjoy the drinks and snacks afterward ;)

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