Outsource Magazine Issue 34 - (Page 82)
Technology
invesTmenT in 2014
Technology is obviously crucial - but is there a
consensus amongst senior finance professionals as to
just how important it is, or how best to leverage it?
Brendan Walsh,
American Express
Brendan Walsh is the
Senior Vice President
and General Manager for American
Express Global Corporate Payments,
Europe. He is responsible for the
European Commercial Card business
across 17 markets.
T
he importance of technology
cannot be understated in
today's economy - whether
using the cloud to connect with
employees working outside
the office, or using video-conferencing
to cut costs, technology is something all
companies need to consider when planning
investment strategies for next year.
I'm not alone in thinking this. We recently
commissioned a study that showed 76 per
cent of senior finance executives plan to
increase investments in technology next
year, which should be heartening for the
sector. Proper investment in technology
is widely recognised as a key contributor
to company growth plans. Of course,
companies plan to use the technology in
different ways: nearly half of the CFOs
surveyed said they plan to use technology to
cut costs, while most of the remainder will
rely on data insights to improve analytical
effectiveness.
Still, there are some grey areas in how
they'll manage this. While nearly everyone
surveyed agreed on the need to invest more
in technology in the year ahead, the findings
also show few companies have a defined
strategy in place for this investment.
In short, finance executives know
investment in technology is important; they
just aren't sure how to go about it.
A cAll for cleArer mobile
strAtegy
Mobile innovation is certainly a priority for
finance executives, and nearly 80 per cent
recognise the need to make better use of
mobile technology over the next year. Their
goals for doing so are multiple and range
from providing finance and business users
with better query and retrieval capabilities,
up-to-the-minute access to data and
to sharing data effectively. All of which
enables executives to make better real-time
decisions and in any location.
However, there is a discrepancy between
companies in how best to achieve these
goals. Less than a quarter report having a
formal plan in place for deploying mobile
"For me, modern technology has ruined romance and movies - nobody can run to the airplane gate anymore." - Lorene Scafaria
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Outsource Magazine Issue 34
Challenges and Champions
Outsourcing in a Troubled Economic Environment
Richard Jones
High Stakes
In Transition
The Bigger Picture
Numbers, Numbers Everywhere...
NOA Round-Up
Struggling To Get Through?
International Commercial Disputes In Outsourcing Agreements
Is Infrastructure Necessary?
Global Freelance Platforms Grow Up
Trumping Price – Only with Best value
Kerry Hallard
Technology Investment in 2014
Water Will Always Find A Way
The Right Time Is Now
You, Robot?
The Legal View
Top Ten
NelsonHall Round-Up
Online Round-Up
The Deal Doctor
Inside Source
The Last Word
Outsource Magazine Issue 34
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