UBM Tech Study Advices CIOs on IT Purchase Decisions

With changing demands from the business, and in an increasingly technology-centric business environment, CIOs must find innovations and process improvements that make a real impact on the bottom line.

To help CIOs tackle their toughest business challenges, UBM Tech unveiled "The CIO State of Mind – How to Successfully Engage with CIOs" research report. 

UBM Tech is a media company that brings together the world's technology communities through live events, online properties and custom services.

The research was conducted in May 2014, is based on surveys from 150 senior level IT executives including CIOs, CTOs, EVPs, and VPs.

The report states that CIOs are optimistic when it comes to IT spending. 58 percent expect IT spending to increase in 2014 versus last year. CIOs see their main business challenges as lowering costs, network uptime, IT innovation and security breaches. Half of them would like their IT organization to spend more time on innovation.

The report shows that tech marketers need to ensure they have a balanced, integrated paid, owned and earned media strategy that reaches CIOs and senior IT executives.

Amy Doherty, Research Director, UBM Tech said in a statement," CIOs rely heavily on peers for input when they are making technology decisions. Tech marketers would be wise to include peer-based insight across their content marketing strategies."

The report says that 75 percent of CIOs rely heavily on peers for input when they are making technology decisions and mobile and security are the key IT priorities. 54 percent would like to do more with mobile applications and devices, while 53 percent would like to improve security.

65 percent of IT executive level titles get involved for new tech purchases. 73 percent say their line of business or corporate management counterparts are important when it comes to making tech decisions. On average, 12 people are involved in the purchase.