A guide to IT modernization

GUIDE | April 15, 2024

Authored by RSM US LLP

Organizations today are increasingly recognizing the imperative need to modernize their IT capabilities to harness the transformative powers of cloud computing, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). Our latest best practices guide outlines the strategic approach needed to drive growth, efficiency and innovation through disciplined IT infrastructure modernization.

Key components of IT modernization

To succeed, IT modernization should proceed along a disciplined pathway to ensure you’ve covered every aspect of the process. A thorough examination of your current tech stack, resulting in a gap analysis, is the first step in pinpointing areas that require updating to support new digital technologies.

The infrastructure modernization process is highly complex, and it’s not typically one of an organization’s primary areas of expertise. It’s crucial, then, to choose a strategic advisor that has the experience to guide you through the process.

Before selecting a solution, there are multiple criteria you need to consider to build a foundation for future innovation and growth. These include:

• Cost management. Consider the short-term costs against long-term savings. For example, transitioning to the cloud—a crucial first step in digital transformation—typically means substituting capital expenditure on infrastructure with an operational expense of a pay-as-you-go mode.
• Scalability. Address the challenges of scaling your technology infrastructure to align with your business goals, such as leveraging cloud infrastructure as a service for immediate scalability.
• Performance. Network performance is a crucial driver of quality user experiences. You should be prepared to accommodate the high bandwidth requirements of emerging technologies.
• Security. Cybersecurity training for employees and the adoption of continuous system updates are vital due to evolving digital threats.
• User and customer experience. Digital transformation aims to improve experience, thereby increasing productivity and customer loyalty through enhanced functionalities and automation.
• Integration. Address the inefficiencies of on-prem solutions by integrating them with modern SaaS systems.

IT modernization isn’t an option but a necessity for organizations aiming to succeed in the digital era. Employing a disciplined strategy with a trusted advisor’s guidance will empower your organization to fully capitalize on the benefits of digital transformation, inspiring sustained growth and increasing competitiveness.

Understand what it takes to build the foundation your organization needs for sustainable growth and innovation. Download the best practices guide today.

Access the guide today