Executive Panel Examines the Future of IT Business Performance

CHICAGO - April 17, 2014 - PRLog -- What’s the best way to get a glimpse of the future trends of business technology? Get it straight from those who are helping to create them.  In a recent Executive IT Panel Discussion, Leveraging Technology to Drive Business Performance, representativesfrom three of the Chicago area’s well-established companies were on hand to offer their professional insights.

Held at the Chicago History Museum, the panel included Ben Beckstrom, Director of Information Technology at Lou Malnati’s Pizza; Randy Levy, CFO of Gold Eagle, Co.; and John C. Moon, VP and CIO of Johnson Outdoors, Inc. Moderating the panel was Joel Schneider, President of Liberty Technology Advisors.  The Panel was the brainchild of its sponsors, Chase Bank, Liberty Technology Advisors, and YJT Solutions.

On the mobile platform, according to the panel, companies are vigorously planning and implementing the most strategic methods to convert mobile shoppers to mobile buyers. In the not too distant future, businesses and consumers alike will be making a majority of buying decisions on mobile devices.  Broadband speeds will continue to increase with the growth of superfast fiber networks such as Google Fiber and Verizon FiOS. Each features connections up to 100 times faster than today’s average, directly impacting how businesses interact and market to their customers.

For those in search of the new industry buzzwords, there were several to add to the repertoire. Selective Sourcing occurs when companies choose which projects to insource and which to outsource. A Moving Sidewalk keeps content flowing through a site so that it’s constantly updated and remains current.  Automated Decisions are technology enforced decisions based on immediate need.  These real time decisioning tools will continue to expand as businesses keep pace with unique market conditions.

So, with things changing faster than you can say business process, what’s the biggest IT concern on everyone’s minds?  Aligning IT with business strategy.  Essentially that’s ensuring that IT initiatives are prioritized to best align with corporate’s strategic direction.  The concept of agile development (a phrase used to describe methodologies for incremental software development) is a term now broadened to include the agile process, confirming that projects are continually evaluated and prioritized to deliver the maximum business value.  Accordingly, IT is consistently working on are the “right” projects, while finance can feel confident that dollars are being spent in priority areas.

About Liberty Technology Advisors

LTA is a full service business performance and IT consulting firm.  We specialize in ERP, IT & business strategy, business process reengineering, project management and transaction services.  For more information visit Liberty Technology Advisors, LTAdvisors.com, or contact us at 847-509-9140.

About Chase

Chase Middle Market Banking provides comprehensive credit and cash management solutions to companies with annual revenues between $20 million and $500 million.  Our local delivery model, coupled with the firm’s global resources, allows us to provide clients customized solutions and exceptional service

About YJT Solutions

YJT is “Chicagoland’s next-generation IT Operations Department”.  As a leading Managed Service Provider (MSP), YJT helps local firms reduce their IT operational costs while increasing system reliability and improving IT service levels to employees.