Continuous Transformation Blog

IT Cost Optimization and Application Rationalization: Insights from the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo

Written by Laura Mauersberger | September 12, 2017

CIOs create measurable value by delivering IT capabilities that are in tune with business priorities. In the age of rapid digital transformation, CIOs should gauge all possible tools and trends including artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and the cloud, to find money-saving and market-leading innovative opportunities.


From the 2016 Deloitte Global CIO survey, 67% of respondents answered that “reducing cost and driving efficiency” are the core expectations from the business IT organization/CIO.” 40% of respondents outlined ‘cost’ as one of the top three priorities in their organizations.

Hence there is little surprise that IT optimization and cost optimization are two of the topics covered by the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando this year:

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Talks on Cost Optimization -

  • Monday 2 October 11:15 - 12:00 AM: The Total Cost of Digital Strategies by Ken McGee
  • Monday 2 October 2:00pm - 2:45pm: Cost Optimization Using Cloud Computing by Ed Anderson
  • Monday 2 October 3:30 - 4:00pm: Cost Optimization in Action - Doug Lynn

+ Many more!

Maximizing profits, retaining customers, and developing a marketing plan reflective of the company make up some of the key topics of interest for CEOs. At times, what other executives fail to realize is the necessity of streamlining the IT architecture, which in turn directly affects business strategy. CIOs should gather a firm grasp of the IT landscape, detail which applications are beneficial, which are redundant, and present CEOs with quick, measurable facts and statistics about the health and functionality of the IT landscape.

Application Rationalization Through Enterprise Architecture

Consider using an enterprise architecture management tool to gather vital real-time information about your application landscape. Application portfolio rationalization is the act of streamlining the existing application portfolio with an explicit goal of improving efficiency, reducing complexity, and lowering Total Cost of Ownership.

Setting a target, selecting global standard applications, assessing application portfolios with fitness and value reviews, gathering detailed data on application running costs, identifying opportunities for cost savings, setting targets, measuring results, and creating the blueprint for intricate application migrations can all be completed from the LeanIX dashboard.

One stop at our booth will show you:

  • How to use powerful, simple, and clean visualizations to present relevant data about IT landscape to your executives
  • How much your IT spend is wasted on redundant applications.
  • How to quickly learn in which applications to invest, and which to divest.
  • How to gauge in real time if your enterprise's capabilities are supported by your current applications.
  • How to continually align the application portfolio to strategic business priorities.
  • Manage risks from your home screen.

CIOs hold challenging roles in business, they must create value in their organizations all while aligning IT and computer systems to support enterprise goals. Take time during the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to talk to our enterprise architect experts at the LeanIX booth. From a quick 30 minute meeting, you will learn how a lean enterprise architecture management tool can align your business and IT landscape.