IT outsourcing providers are responding to pressure from chief information officers (CIOs) to provide more worth than just cost savings.

A new study from KPMG shows IT value – defined as the ability to better react to changing market conditions using IT – is now more critical to business success than ever before, with 80 per cent of CIOs recognising it as a key priority for the years ahead.

The From Cost to Value report by consultancy KPMG is based on a survey of 450 CIOs, which also revealed 62 per cent are focussing on cost optimisation as their main concern.

More than half (56 per cent) identified risk and compliance measures as the most important thing for their organisation.

Such expectations will keep IT outsourcing providers on their toes as they seek to prove their ability to deliver cost-effective services that also improve business performance.

According to NPD’s Technology Report, more than 60 per cent of small to medium size enterprises are planning to spend more on IT this year, with many eyeing up outsourcing as an option.