About Us

The IT Ally Institute founded in January 2020 to create the industry’s first research, best practices, thought leadership and peer to peer programs with an exclusive focus on supporting the technology management agenda for SMBs.

To fulfill that mission, the Institute creates several diagnostics to measure and improve the capabilities for managing IT to maximize value creation. In addition, the Institute conducts research and publishes thought leadership to confront relevant challenges that SMBs face based on the direct engagements from IT Ally clients, its partners, and other key stakeholders in the markets we serve.

The Institute released “Tech Debt 2.0®, How to Future Proof Your Small Business and Improve Your Tech Bottom Line” in 2020 and recently published “Tech Equity, How to Future Ready Your Small Business and Outperform Your Competition“ as the next installment of expert, tech-savvy business guidance for SMBs.

IT Ally Institute Timeline

  • Q3, 2017

    1

    IT Ally, the precursor to the IT Ally Institute

    IT Ally was formed in 2017 to address the growing need for small and mid size businesses to improve their technology bottom line given the rapid pace of change, to fend off increased competition and to address the expanding customer experience requirements. 

  • Q4, 2019

    2

    Created Tech Debt 2.0® Diagnostic

    Created the Tech Debt 2.0® Diagnostic, the industry’s first tool to score and benchmark a company’s Tech Debt rating. This diagnostic tool is first used commercially with clients of IT Ally LLC and then included as an added benefit for purchasers of  Tech Debt 2.0® How to Future Proof Your Small Business And Improve Your Tech Bottom Line. 

  • Q1, 2020

    3

    IT Ally Institute founded

    IT Ally Institute founded in January 2020 to create the industry’s first research, best practices, thought leadership and peer to peer programs with an exclusive focus on supporting the technology management agenda for SMBs.

  • Q1, 2020

    4

  • Q3, 2020

    5

    Published 1st original research report on Covid-19

    How IT Executives are leading their SMB organizations through the challenges of COVID-19 and expectations for accumulation and mitigation of various elements of technical debt.

  • Q1’ 2023

    6

    Published TECH EQUITY

    Tech Equity: Navigating the Digital Age for Small and Medium Businesses offers insights into the transition from technical debt to creating value with tech equity. This book provides strategies, real-world case studies, and tools like the Tech Equity Diagnostic to guide businesses in harnessing technology for growth and differentiation in today’s competitive landscape.

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Vision

By 2025 the IT Ally Institute will be a trusted partner and rich source of tools and insight supporting the professional growth and effectiveness of thousands of SMB IT executives.

Mission

Provide support for IT executives in Small and Medium size Businesses (SMBs) through:

  • Content for SMB IT executives including: books, research briefs, articles and interviews
  • Facilitated peer-advisory executive groups
  • Research on technology, leadership and business with an agenda set by and for SMB IT executives
  • Assessment / Diagnostic tools that generate thoughtful self-examination and provide roadmaps for technology improvement initiatives
  • Benchmarking services that provide peer comparison data on IT leadership, investment and practices

Vision

By 2025 the IT Ally Institute will be a trusted partner and rich source of tools and insight supporting the professional growth and effectiveness of thousands of SMB IT executives.

Mission

Provide support for IT executives in Small and Medium size Businesses (SMBs) through:

  • Content for SMB IT executives including: books, research briefs, articles and interviews
  • Facilitated peer-advisory executive groups
  • Research on technology, leadership and business with an agenda set by and for SMB IT executives
  • Assessment / Diagnostic tools that generate thoughtful self-examination and provide roadmaps for technology improvement initiatives
  • Benchmarking services that provide peer comparison data on IT leadership, investment and practices

FOUNDER

MICHAEL C. FILLIOS

Michael C. Fillios is the Founder and CEO of IT Ally, LLC., a leading IT and Cyber Advisory firm for small and mid-size businesses. He is a four-time CIO, entrepreneur and senior global business and technology executive with over 25 years of experience in transformation, change leadership and operations management in the Pharmaceutical, Industrials, Automotive, Banking and Consulting Industries. His first book, Tech Debt 2.0®: How to Future Proof Your Small Business and Improve Your Tech Bottom Line, was published by the IT Ally Institute in April, 2020.

In 2020, he formed the IT Ally Institute, a non profit organization that provides research, best practices, thought leadership and peer to peer programs specifically developed for small and mid-sized businesses.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MICHAEL SWENSON

Michael Swenson has served as an Industry Analyst with IDC covering supercomputers, scientific computing and the life sciences vertical market. Michael helped build the CIO Executive Council associated with CIO magazine in its early growth years from 50 members to over 500. In that capacity he facilitated CIO roundtable sessions, organized workshops, educational sessions and managed all research content for the Council members. In recent years he has run his own technology and consulting firm SimpleBenchmarks LLC.

He will be leading delivery of the Institute’s programs in research, peer benchmarking and diagnostic tools as well as contributing thought leadership articles and facilitating roundtables. 

FOUNDER

MICHAEL C. FILLIOS

Michael C. Fillios is the Founder and CEO of IT Ally, LLC., a leading IT and Cyber Advisory firm for small and mid-size businesses. He is a four-time CIO, entrepreneur and senior global business and technology executive with over 25 years of experience in transformation, change leadership and operations management in the Pharmaceutical, Industrials, Automotive, Banking and Consulting Industries. His first book, Tech Debt 2.0®: How to Future Proof Your Small Business and Improve Your Tech Bottom Line, was published by the IT Ally Institute in April, 2020.

In 2020, he formed the IT Ally Institute, a non profit organization that provides research, best practices, thought leadership and peer to peer programs specifically developed for small and mid-sized businesses.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MICHAEL SWENSON

Michael Swenson has served as an Industry Analyst with IDC covering supercomputers, scientific computing and the life sciences vertical market. Michael helped build the CIO Executive Council associated with CIO magazine in its early growth years from 50 members to over 500. In that capacity he facilitated CIO roundtable sessions, organized workshops, educational sessions and managed all research content for the Council members. In recent years he has run his own technology and consulting firm SimpleBenchmarks LLC.

He will be leading delivery of the Institute’s programs in research, peer benchmarking and diagnostic tools as well as contributing thought leadership articles and facilitating roundtables.