In this article Jeff Hunt explores the evolution of IT infrastructure from Cost Center to Business Enabler and its role as a strategic business partner. Judy President, JB Homer Associates

The technology supporting infrastructure has been historically viewed by many businesses as simply a cost center and not a true enabler to the business. At JB Homer, we are now seeing an evolution and shift in this mindset as clients are spending more time focusing on how to keep pace with the newest trends and next generation technologies and infrastructure's role in strategically developing and implementing these technologies to help drive the economic growth and success of the business. For example, all forms of cloud (private, public, hybrid) are becoming an integral part of company's business model because they directly impact both internal clients and external customers.

To this extent, business leaders are now seeing the need for the Head of Infrastructure to have a true seat at the business table in order to help set strategy for future growth through innovative and cost-effective solutions because infrastructure and applications in many organizations are merging to work collaboratively and seamlessly to directly enable connectivity and the movement of information to internal and external customers in a nimble and cost-effective manner.

The creation and implementation of a robust IT Security plan is also a key component of the strategy being set by infrastructure, not only encompassing firewalls, network monitoring and intrusion detection but also for securing the flow of sensitive and proprietary company data across the cloud and mobility environments.

The importance of a global network is an integral part of any business as they depend on the network for all aspects of daily operations, therefore a strategy to ensure reliable customer contact - whether internal or external - anytime, anywhere, via a wide variety of collaboration tools (e.g. mobile devices, Internet, social media) is vital.

The recognition by business leadership that the infrastructure function is a strategic thought leader will keep it moving forward and evolving as a true business enabler through partnerships with key business and technology stakeholders and the creation and execution of a strategic and innovative roadmap to meet current and future business objectives.