How to make your tech investment deliver business benefits

Finger pressing into data nebulas-looking data stream

United Kingdom, Apr 30, 2025

In an era where 94% of CIOs regularly report to the board on ROI, technology investments are under unprecedented scrutiny.

Authored by Mairead Malone

According to our Logicalis 2025 CIO Report these same executives are no longer just technology implementers—they've become strategic architects of business direction, with 94% confirming their expanding role in shaping company strategy.

But amid the buzz around Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies, a critical truth remains: successful tech investment isn't about chasing trends or implementing the latest solutions. It's about carefully selecting technologies that address your specific business challenges and deliver measurable value.

As organisations worldwide race to harness AI for competitive advantage, the pressure to demonstrate concrete returns on technology spending has never been greater. However, those who approach this challenge strategically—aligning technology decisions with business objectives—are transforming their IT investments from cost centres into powerful drivers of growth, sustainability, and market differentiation.

It’s not about investing in the newest solutions, nor is it about buying into the most recent buzzword or jumping on the latest trend. The success of technology investment comes down to finding solutions that meet your specific business requirements and deliver real value. With almost every organisation trying to get to grips with the impact and potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to use it to their competitive advantage, many organisations are paying closer attention to their investment in technology – and, perhaps more importantly, the return on investment (ROI). 

Success will depend on the specific requirements and objectives of any given company. It is also dependent on a well-thought-out strategy and a willingness to adapt when things aren’t working. Whether your organisation is focused on driving growth, improving sustainability, or gaining a competitive edge, getting your investments right can unlock powerful business benefits and turn technology into ROI. 

Developing a strategic mindset

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Group of people strategising around a laptop and tablet

 

Embracing new and emerging technologies can be exciting and it is happening across the board – with our 2025 CIO report finding that 94% of organisations are exploring how next-generation technology can support their commercial growth. The key to success in this space is aligning such solutions with your business needs. 

For instance, if you are aiming to improve your sustainability efforts, you need to identify and deploy cutting-edge technologies which enable reporting and analysis in relation to emissions, waste outputs, and supply chains. Similarly, if your company is required to translate numerous documents in different languages on a daily basis, having an AI-driven translation tool would be one to consider for enabling automation and boosting efficiency. 

By pinpointing your aims and carefully selecting technologies and partners, your IT strategy has the power to really move the needle for your organisation and become a foundation for long-term success. But this will only work if you align your technology roadmap with your broader business objectives.

Focusing on day-to-day operations

While strategy and vision are critical, it's equally important to keep an eye on the present IT needs of your company and continue to optimise operations. Day-to-day responsibilities—such as maintaining infrastructure, empowering employees, and upholding cybersecurity—are what keep your business running smoothly and safely.

Especially with the threat landscape constantly evolving, security must remain a top priority. That means protecting data and users. It also means updating training and safeguards. Failing to do so not only puts your organisation at financial and reputation risk, but could jeopardise customer trust and business prospects. 

Considering that our 2025 CIO Report found that 88% of companies experienced cybersecurity incidents in the last 12 months, with 43% enduring multiple breaches, it is clear that the spending on security solutions is ineffective. Therefore, IT leaders and teams need to review the tools they are using, as well as the staff's responsiveness and training in managing such incidents. Again, you might benefit from adopting a Zero Trust approach or implementing technologies that are secure by design to prevent such breaches.

Turning technology into ROI: The path forward

The 2025 CIO Report revealed a telling paradox: while most technology leaders believe their IT spending yields returns, an overwhelming 91% acknowledge significant room for improvement. This highlights the continuous nature of technology optimisation—there is no finish line in the digital transformation race.

The most successful organisations recognise three fundamental principles in maximising technology ROI:

  1. Technology strategy must be business strategy—not a separate consideration but an integrated force that amplifies your company's core objectives, whether that's market expansion, operational efficiency, or customer experience enhancement.
  2. Operational excellence cannot be sacrificed for innovation. Day-to-day reliability, particularly in cybersecurity where 88% of companies experienced incidents last year, forms the foundation upon which transformative initiatives can safely be built.
  3. Finally, adaptability is non-negotiable. The technology landscape, market conditions, and your organisation's needs will continually evolve. Your approach to technology investment must be equally dynamic—constantly measured, evaluated, and refined.

By embracing these principles, CIOs and business leaders can ensure their technology investments deliver not just technical capabilities but genuine business advantages—supporting current objectives while positioning their organisations for future success in an increasingly digital marketplace.

To find out how Logicalis can support your IT investments and business objectives, get in touch with the team today!

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Mairead Malone

Mairead Malone

Ireland Sales Director & Country Leader

Logicalis UK & Ireland

Mairead joined Logicalis in July 2022 as Ireland Sales Director, bringing over 25 years of IT sector experience. She has worked across the channel, from resellers to managed services providers, and has a proven leadership track record in both traditional and service-based sales. Previously, Mairead worked at Sungard Availability Services, covering markets in Ireland, the UK, and EMEA. She also managed sales, technical, and marketing teams at Commtech (Arrow) as Commercial Officer, following a decade at Dell EMC.

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