Following pressure from consumers and employees for a move ‘online’ in the wake of Covid-19, organisations need to approach the ‘digital pivot’ with care, warns New Zealand tech company Qual IT
“Because of changes to working and consumer behaviour following lockdowns in New Zealand and across the globe, organisations are having to quickly onboard and integrate systems, platforms and products that enable remote working and online business transacting,” says Qual IT Co-Founder and Director Shane Hewson.
“This has come at a time when avoiding big costs is at the forefront of shareholders’ minds, so CEOs and boards are faced with the dual pressure of keeping margins razor thin, while having to quickly change how their organisations operate which often requires expensive IT investments.
“If this is not properly managed – it will be a recipe for disaster and turn into a massive money pit,” Hewson says.
Qual IT is a New Zealand information technology and quality assurance company, which has been IT testing for 16 years. They have seen what has worked when it comes to procuring and implementing new systems, products and platforms. With this knowledge, Qual IT is emphasising the importance of planning and testing to achieve success on an IT project, before spending in a sudden response to current trends.
“Our advice to companies and government departments is not to knee jerk to the mounting pressure, but rather bring IT investment decision making to board level; integrate it into the very essence of your strategy; and ensure it is at the inception of your budgeting process,” says Co-Founder and Director, Jon McPhee.
“We live in a world where IT is no longer a separate function, but has become fundamental to a business – and now, post-Covid even more than before – it actually determines, and drives how that business operates,” McPhee says.
“That is why in this environment of pressure and uncertainty it is critical that the board, and leadership, know exactly what they want, before IT investment decisions are made,” Hewson continues.
“From where we are sitting, quality starts with a good, sound business case. Having started in systems and product testing over 16 years ago, we have seen how messy things can get if you do not prepare, analyse, plan, properly manage, support and govern your IT investments prudently from start to finish. In the current climate organisations can’t afford to run over budget, over timelines and still end up with imperfection.
“From our perspective, you want to do it once, and do it right. And if you know from the get-go where the risks are, then you are less likely to get it wrong,” he says.
