IT Strategy for 2025 and Beyond

Software costs have been steadily increasing, and 2025 is expected to follow this trend. In fact, nearly 80% of organizations saw their software budgets rise last year, often driven by the high cost of new AI features. According to Forrester, IT budgets are projected to grow by another 5.3% next year, with 9 out of 10 CIOs preparing for higher expenses. However, many of these budget increases will only cover inflation, leaving CIOs with the challenge of critically evaluating what truly adds value to their technology investments.1. Focus on AI Integration for Competitive Advantage

AI adoption is no longer optional. By 2025, generative AI alone is expected to add $2.6 to $4.4 trillion in global value annually. CIOs should identify areas where AI can provide immediate impact, such as:

• Automating AMS workflows (e.g., issue resolution, patching, and performance monitoring).
• Leveraging AI for predictive analytics to enhance uptime and optimize user experiences.

A strategic approach ensures AI adoption aligns with business objectives, avoiding the pitfalls of rushed implementations that lead to inefficiencies or security vulnerabilities.

2. Strengthen Data Infrastructure

AI’s success depends on robust data pipelines. CIOs must invest in flexible and scalable infrastructure like data lakehouses, which can handle unstructured and complex data. A well-organized data ecosystem not only empowers AI initiatives but also improves decision-making across AMS operations.

3. Prioritize Cybersecurity and Compliance

As data breaches rise, CIOs need to integrate advanced security measures within AMS. These include:

• End-to-end encryption of AMS data pipelines.
• Regular audits to ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR or India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act.

Proactive security measures are critical for protecting sensitive data, especially when leveraging AI-driven AMS tools.

4. Embrace Automation and Collaboration

Automation tools like robotic process automation (RPA) can free up teams to focus on strategic initiatives, while collaborative platforms ensure smooth communication between AMS providers, internal IT, and business teams. Creating a collaborative culture will foster innovation and adaptability.

5. Foster Agile and Scalable IT Models

The pace of technological advancements demands IT strategies that support scalability. CIOs must prepare their AMS frameworks to adapt quickly to business growth, whether by scaling cloud resources or integrating new tools. Emphasizing agility helps organizations stay resilient in dynamic markets.

To summarize, IT is now essential to navigating the age of digital transformation. Organizations can get a lot out of AMS by investing in AI, improving data infrastructure, putting security first, and embracing automation. Long-term success for those using AMS will be ensured by taking a proactive and flexible strategy as the tech landscape changes.

For a deeper dive into future IT strategies, you can explore Inclusion Cloud’s full CIO 2025 Tech Roadmap.