Jim Wieser, Product Director
5 min read
Today's modern IT departments have one crucial task: transform their IT capabilities to make the most of their resource usage. Cloud solutions turn the wheel on back-office services and because of it, IT teams are becoming change enablers in their organizations.
AI and aaS are examples of inventions that have triggered this shift. They've each enabled SysAdmins to let go of or automate mundane tasks, reduce IT costs, and improve efficiency.
With automation tools and service offerings, IT teams can relinquish repetitive tasks and become a strategic task force. New technology allows you to shift from providing back-office support to building technology-driven value for your business’s future direction.
Resolving end-user issues is no longer your focus. Your IT team can now become a strategic business enabler that drives business growth through internal automation.
We'll look at how (SaaS) printing fits into this equation. But first, let's dig a little deeper.
IT Departments' Multi-Layered Transformation
IT departments are transforming as we pen these words. Organizations are changing their priorities for IT, and the signs get clearer and clearer.
Modern IT departments are undergoing a mass transformation. Pandemics and digital revolutions have acted as catalysts for this transformation, and with it, IT priorities have shifted. This has led to two significant changes in IT services and IT teams’ responsibilities:
1. IT Services and Solutions
We see companies transition from traditional, office-centric models to more agile, hybrid setups. Cloud technology has brought global teams together and allowed IT teams a consolidated view of system usage across offices, ultimately reducing their dependence on onsite software solutions.
Why it matters:
- Greater flexibility with cross-location working
- Improved scalability with business growth
- Better cost-effectiveness with cheaper, cloud-based software
- Increased remote connectivity allows people to work where they are
In addition, new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning transform the capabilities of the average software solution. Task automation tools empower IT teams to automate everyday tasks and spend less time on their IT infrastructure.
2. Departmental Responsibilities
This move towards cloud technology and SaaS solutions means IT teams can finally break free from their old roles.
Instead of spending time on routine maintenance and manual tasks, SaaS solutions provide automation capabilities that allow creative IT minds to let loose on innovative, proactive projects.
But why does this matter? IT transformation is no longer about keeping pace. Helping your organization thrive in the digital era is the focus going forward.
Embracing technological transformation allows your IT department to become the beating heart of your business’s strategic innovation.
Task Automation and SaaS Printing
Fans of Channel 4’s The IT Crowd will be familiar with the “Have you tried switching it off and on again?”—This is a thing of the past 🥳
Even though the show’s jokes have retained their bite, its depiction of IT’s place in the office hierarchy is outdated. With countless tools at their disposal, IT teams can now automate tasks that would sap their productivity.
In other words, your team no longer has responsibility for menial, simple tasks like ensuring that printers have enough toner or sorting out paper jams. With SaaS printing, IT teams can centralize the company's printing and automate your print management in the cloud.
According to Gartner, cloud solutions will be the centerpiece of new digital experiences for future offices. Today, 69% of global companies have implemented a cloud print solution. Here's why modern IT departments adopt SaaS printing to stay productive:
📖 Dig deeper: IT, Here's 7 Productivity Benefits of Cloud Printing
Liberated by cloud printing, your team's priorities can swerve to becoming business enablers with a strategic focus.
Instead of being bogged down with time-consuming, repetitive tasks, the innovative minds of your IT team can now focus on strategic tasks, like:
- Leading digital transformation projects that beat the competition
- Future-proofing IT infrastructure to withstand the next tech curveball
- Simplifying complex systems to build sleek, sustainable IT processes
- Encouraging innovation and spreading the spirit of “tech-venture”
- Modernizing existing manual processes and IT systems
📖 Dig deeper: 6 Driving Forces to Get a No Print Management Solution
The road to this future now gets paved by modern IT departments who concern themselves only with:
- Automating routine, manual tasks to free up valuable resources with low-touch and self-managed systems
- Implementing rugged cyber security measures to protect against known and emerging threats
- Utilizing the scalability and flexibility of cloud-based services to help users self-serve
- Harnessing the potential of applied AI solutions to enhance business processes and improve decision-making
How SaaS Printing Helps Transform IT Teams
Employing SaaS solutions in your print infrastructure allows your users to access the services they need when they need them, wherever they are. Because your service provider manages the platform your users use, your IT team doesn't need to act as an “on-call” service. Instead, they can become a proactive team of strategic superstars.
SaaS solutions can provide the following support that previously required the use of your in-house IT team:
- Automate administrative tasks, such as software updates and maintenance, reduces your IT team’s day-to-day workload
- Help you scale your business as it grows without requiring significant investment in costly IT infrastructure
- Reduce costs through cloud-based solutions. In addition to offering scalability, they are usually cheaper than on-site hardware and software
- Boost security through robust in-software security reduces the burden on your IT teams to protect your data and infrastructure
- Saas solutions allow you to diagnose and resolve problems remotely
Using a Saas printing solution like SAFEQ Cloud, your business can get the complete Managed Print Services experience without overburdening your IT teams or compromising your bottom line.
IT as a Business Enabler and Strategic Task Force
Ready to let go of repetitive actions, reduce human error, and ramp up your automation capabilities? That'll be your IT team's gateway to become a business enablement unit.
With a few changes to your daily workflows, your IT team can effectively transition from being an in-house support team to becoming a proactive, innovative business enabler.
1. Become a Strategic Partner
Instead of being stowed away in a basement server room, your IT team can take their place in strategic meetings and be immersed into the company's decision-making process. They can add valuable insight to achieve your business’s strategic vision and play a leading role in realizing internal automation and digitalization objectives.
2. Focus on Innovation
Releasing your IT team from the shackles of performing routine tasks allows them to focus on complex projects. Many of your organization's most creative minds sit in your IT team, so allowing them to innovate and create value within your business can drive enormous benefits.
3. Personal Development
In addition to allowing your IT professionals to focus on innovation, SaaS solutions free them up to level up their skills. Whether in coding, software development, or keeping pace with emerging technologies, investing in your people will drive more significant benefits for your business in future years.
4. Building your Business’s Digital Backbone
Creating a robust and secure digital infrastructure allows your IT department to support the here and now, future-proof, and drive long-term success. Rather than simply fixing problems today, they’re assuring your business has a bright future for years to come.
Transforming your IT team into business enablers and a strategic task force doesn’t just change their job descriptions; how their colleagues perceive them will shift as they step out of the confines of the server room and into the spotlight, outlining the future in high-powered strategy discussions.
FAQs on IT as Business Enablers
Q1) Can you give an example of IT teams serving as a strategic task force?
An IT team can act as a strategic task force by, for example, leading a shift from on-site to cloud-based SaaS print management, automating IT tasks, guiding adoption, explaining benefits, and enabling remote issue resolution. Think of strategic IT tasks as projects by which the team builds or enhances a business's digital backbone and differentiation.
Q2) What Should Modern IT Departments Focus on to Achieve Transformational Change?
Modern IT departments should focus on driving strategic initiatives, adopting emerging tech like AI, strengthening cybersecurity, and shifting from reactive support to proactive innovation that aligns with business goals and delivers lasting value.
Final Points
Take a moment to imagine the possibilities open to your organization with a transformed IT department. Instead of paying these technical minds to keep machines running and printers online, you'll release their skills for meaningful work and projects that strengthen your market position.
SaaS printing demonstrates the potential of centralizing routine components of a business's IT infrastructure. It liberates talented minds to become strategic enablers that deliver high-impact solutions to propel your organization forward.
Transforming your IT team involves reshaping its role, evolving team members, and shifting the department from a cost center into an innovation powerhouse. It's about freeing minds of repetitive tasks and allowing your team to spearhead tech initiatives and fuel growth.
Before you gear up and adopt a cloud print solution, we recommend that you first assess your IT ecosystem's readiness for cloud integration.
Take our fast and easy Cloud Readiness Assessment Quiz to determine whether your team, processes, and tools are ready for a cloud transformation.
