What is the role of the company’s IT (ISD) of the company at the time of outsourcing ?

What is IT outsourcing ?

IT outsourcing designates a situation in which a company entrusts computer tasks to one or more external providers. It encompasses a wide range of missions: server management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, infrastructure management, use of SaaS software (Software AS A Service)…

To outsource these tasks, the organization establishes contracts with third -party suppliers and signs SLA (Service Level Agreement) which detail the requirements relating to the service levels of each provider.

Why outsource your information system ?

Externalization offers real added value to the company’s IT management, which benefits from the technical skills of a specialized service provider.

Indeed, the latter can bring advanced solutions and technologies, But also to open up new perspectives in the context of the digital transformation of the organization. In addition, an experienced supplier, which works for many different companies, has an extended market vision and can help their customer better manage the associated technological risks.

Nevertheless, The role of CIO should not be overlookedwhich must set up a strategic collaboration with the providers (s). On a daily basis, The Director of Information Systems ensures the smooth running of outsourcing And to its alignment with the objectives of the company, while supervising relations with the various stakeholders.

The role of the CIO for successful outsourcing

To guarantee the success of outsourcing, the Directorate of Information Systems (DSI) must pay particular attention to the following points.

Identification of needs

When a company plans to call on a computer service provider, it must precisely define its objectives and needs. Whether it is the maintenance of a computer fleet, the deployment of software, the implementation of an information system or the server subcontracting, the project to be carried out must be perfectly framed.

So, It is crucial that the CIO is working with the other functions of the company to identify their specific IT needs. This in -depth understanding of business requirements then selects the right services to be outsourced.

What are the issues encountered by professions? What are the tasks to be outsourced? Who is capable of providing the expected services? What are the requirements in terms of quality, level of service? So many questions to ask to be able to find the ideal provider.

The selection of providers

To take advantage of the advantages of outsourcing, it is still necessary to identify a service provider meeting the expectations of the company, especially on the budgetary level. In addition, the choice of a suitable supplier has a direct impact on the quality of the IT services offered.

That’s why The CIO must be involved in the selection of external providersby reviewing different criteria: technical skills, reputation, customer references, security, etc.

Not only should the solution adopted should be reliable and efficient, but it must also be in line with the specific needs expressed by employees. The drafting of specifications can also be useful to precisely frame the expectations of the company.

In addition, it is essential to project yourself in the long term, anticipating the digital transformation of the organization. The supplier must have an infrastructure flexible to take care of future developments : new features, increased number of users or data volume, etc. It must also offer important guarantees in terms of availability and maintenance of the services offered.

Transition management

A computer externalization project is also a real organizational challenge, because it sometimes implies important changes for employees. Here, the role of the ISO is crucial: It must manage the transition by accompanying general management and userswhile ensuring fluid operational continuity.

Indeed, reluctance to change can constitute a significant brake. Hence the need to set up a support, awareness and training systemwhich facilitates the adoption of new tools or new working methods.

Finally, so that outsourcing takes place at best, It is important that internal teams and external staff work hand in handwith common goals. The communication between the different stakeholders must be simple and fluid, so that everyone is informed in real time of the advance of the project and the possible difficulties encountered.

Control and governance

Once the outsourcing mission has been accepted and started, the IT department also has a surveillance and management role of providers. To do this, it can in particular define Key indicators (KPI) making it possible to assess the performance of the service provider on a daily basis, as well as the results obtained.

This follow -up work is essential to verify that the suppliers are up to expectations. Otherwise, the contract can be adjusted in order to obtain services better meet the objectives and needs of the organization.

Information security

The company’s IT management is responsible for data security and IT systems, even when these elements are outsourced.

Thus, it must anticipate threats and ensure Deployment of suitable safety solutions : antivirus, firewall, anti-ransomware, etc. Without forgetting the implementation of a real computer security policy, a plan of continuity of activity or even a plan to take over activity.

In this context, it may be wise to perform a complete audit, in order to obtain an inventory and establish an action plan containing recommendations to improve security.

Finally, the CIO must ensure the compliance with regulatory obligations in terms of personal data protectionlike the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Cost control

According to a study by Deloitte, 59 % of companies consider outsourcing as an opportunity to reduce their costs.

Indeed, IT outsourcing makes it possible to significantly reduce the charges related to the management of the information systemwhile better controlling the budget allocated to its follow -up. Provided, however, to have an outsourcing contract perfectly suited to the organization’s activities and needs of the organization.

The use of an external service provider is used in particular to limit material spending, because this expert has human resources and infrastructure specially sized to fulfill its various missions.

Be that as it may, it is up to the CIO to manage outsourcing in order to control costs related to cloud accommodation, infrastructure, but also to the services themselves.

From the choice of providers to cost control, including data governance and security, the role of the CIO in the context of computer externalization should not be underestimated. He is in particular a key player to guarantee the proper deployment of a new solution and facilitate his adoption by the teams. To do this, the IT management must rely on a real strategy, built from a careful analysis of the needs of the various professions.