Creating Innovation in IT Through Fractional CIO Services in Chicago

The Chief Information Officer, or CIO, is a key position in any business. This is a person who makes sure that the technology at the heart of an organization is more than just an afterthought. They work to align that tech with people and processes in a way that drives the collective forward. They support business initiatives, help leverage IT to capitalize on opportunities for improvement, and generally make sure that a business’ technology infrastructure is the innovation (and revenue) generating machine it was meant to be.

Of course, according to one estimate, the average salary for a CIO in the United States is over $331,000 per year.

Not every business can afford to take on that type of expense – but it doesn’t mean they’re permanently cut off from the expertise that would come with it. At Genuity, our fractional CIO Chicago services are designed to meet a business where it is – allowing it to fully leverage technology to become that which it was always meant to be.

Contact the team at Genuity today to find out more about our virtual CIO and virtual CTO services in Chicago.

What is the Fractional Model and How Did It Become So Popular?

You may have heard “fractional CIO services” referred to in a few different ways – including as a part-time CIO or even a fractional CTO. Regardless, they’re all talking about essentially the same thing – you get the experience, the passion, and the drive that comes with bringing in your own Chief Information Officer in Chicago without being forced to bring in a full-time or even truly part-time candidate to do it.

Part of the reason why the fractional CIO model became so popular has to do with the unique benefits that came with it:

  • Fractional CIO services in Chicago are incredibly cost-effective. Rather than paying someone a salary, you get the same level of knowledge at a reasonable rate that is often charged by the hour or as part of a flat monthly fee.
  • By design, fractional CIO support services are also inherently flexible. The downside to salaried positions is that you’re paying for someone whether you need them at the moment or not. With the fractional model, you only pay on an as-needed basis that is dictated by your specific business requirements.
  • Fractional CIOs are often more objective than your own in-house employee could be. This is an unbiased third-party who is coming in and giving their opinion about which strategic decision you need to make next based on your goals. You’re more likely to get the type of unprejudiced advice you need to really make difficult decisions.
  • Bringing in virtual CIO services in Chicago is equal parts straightforward and fast. You don’t have to spend time finding, onboarding, and training the right candidate. They can hit the ground running in the best possible way.

What is the Difference Between a CIO and CTO?

A Chief Information Officer, or CIO, is some who oversees a business IT operations. Their primary goal is to increase efficiency in a way that allows employees to do their best work through access to the right resources for the right job at exactly the right time.

A Chief Technology Officer, or CTO, helps to develop tech-driven products and services for customers. They’re still prioritizing technological innovation, but it’s more outward-facing than inward facing.

In the modern era, the right part-time CIO or virtual CTO services can give you access to all the advantages of these strategic positions with as few of the potential downsides as possible.


Genuity: Your Partner For Supplementary IT Support in Chicago

At Genuity, we understand that technology is a massive investment, both in the present and the potential future of a business. That’s a big part of the reason why we’ve designed our fractional CIO services to help you get the most from that investment.

A virtual CIO or virtual CTO can be just what you need at this critical moment in your company’s history. Whether you’re worried about costs, are afraid that you’re moving too slowly, or just want to make sure that core areas like cybersecurity are taken care of but lack the critical expertise to do so yourself, our virtual CIO solutions can help your Chicago business thrive.

If you’re interested in finding out more about what our fractional CIO solutions can help you accomplish, or if you have any additional questions about topics like co-managed IT support in Chicago that you’d like to discuss with someone in a bit more detail, please contact one of our passionate team members at Genuity today.