Logicalis: Retail bosses want more IT influence

Report by integrator finds retail decision makers are not aligned with IT departments

A report released by Logicalis has found that nine in 10 retail leaders want more influence over IT decisions and budgets.

The Logicalis Retail IT Report 2014, which surveyed 100 retail business decision makers in the UK, found that 92 per cent wanted to take increased responsibility for IT.

The report also found that eight in 10 staff had bypassed the IT team for technology purchases and decisions, and 39 per cent believed sourcing technology was easier and quicker without involving IT.

Gerry Carroll, the author of the report, said: "With 8 in 10 already bypassing IT for some purchases, the statistics show rising pressure from departmental heads to align more closely with business strategy.

"The message is clear: it's time to stop sweating the small stuff and re-shape the IT function to focus on high value, strategic initiatives."

The report also found that just one in 10 believe the IT services team match all of their departmental needs and less than third say IT makes a significant contribution to achieving business goals.