CIO as a Service: an IT director without the full-time cost
IT strategy, budget and oversight from an experienced CIO, on a monthly basis — so technology works for the goals of the business, not the other way round.
- IT strategy and a 12–24 month roadmap
- Technology budget and cost control
- Selection and oversight of suppliers and contracts
- Project oversight: migrations, upgrades, new systems
- Alignment of IT with the goals of the business
- Regular reporting and a trusted advisor for management
The CIO (Chief Information Officer) is the person who decides where the company's technology goes: which investments are made, with which suppliers, with what priorities and at what cost. Most small and medium businesses do not have —and do not need— a full-time CIO. They do need someone who owns the strategy and makes the right decisions.
With CIO as a Service we take on that role on your behalf, on a monthly basis. We put a plan behind your IT, control the cost, coordinate suppliers and projects, and report to management in terms it understands: outcome, risk, cost.
When an outsourced CIO makes sense
Not every business needs a full-time IT executive. Every business does need someone who owns the strategic responsibility.
You are growing fast
New offices, more staff, new systems. You need a plan so technology keeps pace, without becoming a bottleneck or wasted cost.
You spend on IT without a plan
Licences, subscriptions and hardware that nobody reviews as a whole. The CIO brings a budget, priorities and measurable return.
You depend on a single supplier
When one external provider holds all the knowledge, the risk is yours. The CIO represents you in front of suppliers.
Management has no technology advisor
Decisions on investment, cloud, security and AI are made without anyone weighing them in business terms. That is the role we fill.
CIO, vCISO or IT administrator — the difference
The IT administrator operates
Sets up and maintains systems, fixes faults, keeps everything running. Looks at today.
The vCISO protects
Organises security, risk and compliance (NIS2, ISO 27001). Looks at the threat.
The CIO decides
Sets strategy, budget and priorities, and aligns technology with goals. Looks at tomorrow. We can cover one role or all three.
How we work
1. Baseline
We record what you have, what you spend, which suppliers you use and where the business hurts.
2. Strategy and budget
We build a roadmap with priorities, cost and timeline, aligned with your goals.
3. Monthly rhythm
A regular meeting, oversight of projects and suppliers, decisions on what comes up, tracking of the budget.
4. Reporting to management
A short picture of what was done, what pays off, what it costs and which decisions are needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is CIO as a Service?
It is an external, experienced IT director (a virtual CIO) who takes on the strategy, budget and oversight of a company's technology on a monthly basis, without the cost of a full-time hire.
How does it differ from a vCISO?
The vCISO focuses on security, risk and compliance. The CIO looks at the whole of IT: strategy, cost, suppliers, projects and alignment with business goals. They often coexist, and we can cover both roles.
What size of business is it for?
Mainly for small and medium businesses that now depend seriously on technology but do not justify a full-time CIO — typically from a few dozen up to a few hundred employees.
Does it replace the IT team?
No. The IT team, internal or external, operates the systems. The CIO gives direction, priorities and cost control, and works alongside it.
How is it charged?
On a monthly basis, based on the time and scope the business needs. We agree it after the initial baseline and it can be adjusted over time.
Ready to see where your business stands?
A short first conversation, no commitment.