Innovating through IT

Lars Lindstedt, software economist from Microsoft UK Ltd, introduced the session which looked at how successful businesses can use IT as a platform for growth in business and profitability.  Mark Hickbroom from Road Angel, Ian Gotts of Nimbus and Stephen Parker of Procserve talked through their experience of investing in an IT platform and how it helped their businesses.

The panellists talked about the benefits of working in partnership with an IT provider.  There is a need to take risks but it is important to understand the consequences of these risks and put in place strategies to reduce the risks involved with developing a new IT package.  It is essential that your IT partner also understands and works with you on them.  There is also a need to constantly review and innovate your IT projects.  It was noted that the relationship with the IT partner may not be a relationship of equals but it is about how the two parties can work together for mutual advantage.