Fujitsu warns CIOs not to be too cautious in recessionary times

Resent research for Fujitsu shows just one in 10 of senior IT professionals are now taking an aggressive, early adopter approach to any new technologies. In the current economic climate, few are now innovators and the vast majority now label themselves followers, according to Paul Parrish, UK managing director for Fujitsu Technology Solutions. "Over half claimed they would not adopt a technology until it had proven successful in other installations. One in three said any technology would have to be 'industry standard' before they even considered implementation within their company," he says. . Yet this ultra-cautious approach is set against a backdrop of 38% of IT leaders being increasingly required to justify costs as budgets tighten, he points out "As a result the majority of IT leaders [79%] have focused their IT activities on cost reduction." Notwithstanding the obvious vested interest, Parrish warns that, in the current climate, bold moves need to be made in introducing new technology. These can often be the best way to drive efficiencies and cost reduction, he says, and should be the favoured route to delivering a competitive edge to the business. Says Parrish: "Forward-thinking businesses will find new ways to gain a lead over their competitors and move on relatively unscathed. Those that are able to harness the power of IT in the coming months will be fitter and leaner for the upturn when it inevitably comes." And he adds: "Experience shows that innovation pays big dividends. When we introduced Primergy BladeFrame, it was considered a cutting-edge technology that some CIOs were cautious about introducing straightaway. However, innovative businesses seized the opportunity to introduce a new technology that promised to drive enormous efficiencies. They are still reaping the benefits and the competitive advantage it has given them."