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CIONET - What's next

Connecting ambitious digital leaders and businesses around the globe.

Catch up on the upcoming CIONET Events

             
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Belgium Sep 24, 2025 Invitation Only Physical english

Bridging the Unbridgeable: IT Meets M(i)OT ; Converged infrastructures demand converged security

As smart devices proliferate across operational environments — from sensors on factory lines and GPS trackers in logistics fleets to wearables in healthcare and connected systems in smart cities — the integration of Managed IoT (MiOT) is accelerating. But with it comes a surge in cybersecurity risks. No longer isolated or air-gapped, OT systems are becoming fully networked, remotely accessible, and deeply entwined with IT. This creates a vulnerable, highly complex digital mesh, one where a single compromised device can trigger physical, financial, and reputational consequences.

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UK Sep 24, 2025 Country Members Physical english

CIONET UK Business Community Program: Creating agile partnerships – making the right choice between in and out-sourcing

Join us for our community event on 24th September in London. Join us for our community event on 21st May in London. Sponsored by Business Partners Cognizant, Orange Business, Entelect, Strategy, Stefanini & Thoughtworks.

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Belgium Sep 25, 2025 Invitation Only Physical english

The power of Hybrid - Cloud-Native Application Modernisation as a No-Regret Move

On 25th September, during the Red Hat Summit: Connect 2025 in Brussels, CIONET is hosting an exclusive, invitation-only round table for leading CIOs, CTOs, and digital leaders. While the Summit offers a broad programme, this CIONET session is a separate, distinct event, conducted in its own dedicated room with private catering, ensuring a focused and confidential peer-to-peer discussion. This round table will delve into why certain cloud-native techniques offer undeniable benefits, irrespective of where your applications are deployed, be it on-premise, in a hyperscale cloud, or a hybrid environment. Even outside public clouds, these modern, modular architectures consistently deliver increased agility, enhanced scalability, and quicker time-to-market. The real power behind these advantages lies in automation. When done properly, automation significantly boosts team efficiency, improves system quality, and drastically cuts risks from slow systems or downtime. However, achieving truly effective automation comes with its own set of challenges, which we'll address head-on. Key Discussion Points Include: "No-Regret" Cloud-Native Pillars: We'll try to pinpoint essential techniques every organisation should adopt, such as microservices architecture, containerisation (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), API-first design, stateless application design, and immutable infrastructure. Why are these crucial for modern applications, no matter the deployment location? Strategic Vendor Lock-in: How to judiciously manage vendor lock-in. For new innovations and applications with a relatively short life expectancy, leveraging the latest unique features of a hyperscale cloud might be beneficial. For long-lived applications (expected to be live for decades), the focus might shift to limiting exposure by utilising generally available technologies. Automation Anywhere: How can organisations effectively implement automation strategies to unlock the full potential of cloud-native initiatives across diverse infrastructures? What are the biggest hurdles, and how are leaders overcoming them? This CIONET round table offers a unique and intimate setting for digital leaders to gain critical insights, exchange perspectives, and shape the strategic path towards application modernisation that truly offers no regrets.

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Belgium Sep 25, 2025 Invitation Only Physical english

Women of CIONET - Female Leadership Circle 2

As AI shapes our future, the time is now to address and correct its inherent biases. Join leading female voices in tech as we explore how to undo past mistakes, champion neutrality, and feed AI systems with inclusive, unbiased data. This conference is a call to action for female leaders in AI and tech to ensure the next generation of intelligent systems reflects fairness, diversity, and equity. Together, let’s set things right and redefine the future of AI.

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Poland Sep 25, 2025 All Members Physical Polish

COMMUNITY EVENT #7: HUMAN MACHINE

Agenci AI to przyszłość, która wyniesie organizacje na inny poziom dostarczania wartości biznesowej. Już teraz wiadomo, że nowa generacja inteligentnych agentów zmienia sposób, w jaki firmy działają, podejmują decyzje i się rozwijają. Podczas siódmego Community Eventu wraz z ekspertami AI sprawdzimy: możliwości, które dają agenci; jak wprowadzić governance i umiejscowić w organizacji tysiące sztucznych pracowników; jak zapewnić bezpieczeństwo, gdy każdy z agentów może wykonywać inne operacje; jaki jest wpływ wykorzystania agentów na koszty i środowisko; jak zmienia się pozycja firmy na rynku. Omówimy, jak liderzy IT i cyfrowi mogą i muszą strategicznie dostosować się do tej nowej rzeczywistości. Zarejestruj się już teraz i zapewnij sobie miejsce!

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Italy Sep 25, 2025 Invitation Only Physical italian

Innovation in Balance: governing the power of data and automation

Nel percorso verso l’AI e la trasformazione digitale, dati e automazione sono gli elementi centrali di ogni strategia tecnologica. Ma senza una governance chiara, rischiano di diventare non solo fonte di inefficienza, ma anche di rischi e incoerenza.   Come garantire che i dati siano completi, accessibili e affidabili? Come automatizzare le operation IT e i processi aziendali mantenendo controllo, compliance e sicurezza?   Durante questa roundtable esclusiva, organizzata da CIONET Italia e IBM, affronteremo:   La governance come abilitatore di dati affidabili e automazione sicura. Come prepararsi a un’adozione dell’AI realmente scalabile. Il ruolo di controllo, resilienza e gestione del rischio nell’innovazione.

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Recent Cases

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Agfa's Digital Transformation - Navigating Legacy and Embracing Standardisation

Agfa, facing declining film business and slow new venture growth, tackled aging infrastructure and complex legacy systems with a bold digital transformation. They focused on standardisation and efficiency by implementing SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud. This case study highlights Agfa's pilot project success and key factors for global scaling.

The Challenge

  • Declining Core Business: The rapid shift to digital imaging significantly impacted Agfa's film business, resulting in shrinking margins.
  • Legacy Systems Complexity: Four independent SAP ECC systems, riddled with 60-80% unused customisations, created operational inefficiencies and hindered agility.
  • Aging Workforce: A large portion of the workforce, aged 55-65, was trained on legacy systems and accustomed to bespoke solutions, leading to resistance to change.
  • Slow Growth in New Ventures: Growth in new business segments wasn't offsetting the decline in the film business.
  • Urgent Need for Standardisation: The company needed to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency to remain competitive.

 

The Solution

Agfa strategically decided to adopt a "standard first" approach, eschewing a lengthy process redesign exercise. The key elements of their solution included:

  • SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud Implementation: Leveraging the SaaS model of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud to adopt out-of-the-box functionalities and reduce customisations. 
  • Pilot Project in US and Canada: A representative pilot project in the US and Canada, encompassing production, shared services, HQ functions, and complex regulatory requirements, served as a proof of concept.
  • Deloitte Partnership: Collaborating with Deloitte to ensure successful implementation and provide expertise in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud.
  • Emphasis on Show and Tell & Exploration Sessions: Focus on training and knowledge transfer to gain user buy in.
  • Integration Focus: Prioritize seamless integration of the S/4HANA Public Cloud with the rest of the IT architecture.
  • User Adoption: Intensive focus on change management and user adoption.

 

Implementation and Results

  • The pilot project, launched a year ago, demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of the standardisation approach.
  • The go-live, two weeks prior to the case development, exhibited remarkably low defect rates, indicating the success of the implementation.
  • The pilot successfully convinced the organization that the standard approach was viable.
  • The biggest effort was put into integration and user adoption, both very important to a successful transition.

 

Key Learnings and Challenges

  • Change Management is Paramount: Overcoming resistance to change from a workforce accustomed to custom solutions requires a robust change management strategy.
  • Pilot Project as a Catalyst: A well-executed pilot project can build confidence and demonstrate the value of standardisation.
  • Integration Complexity: Integrating a cloud-based system with existing infrastructure can be complex and requires careful planning.
  • Balancing Standardisation and Flexibility: Striking the right balance between standardisation and the need for some level of flexibility is crucial.
  • Scaling the Solution: Successfully scaling the pilot project across the global organisation presents a significant challenge.

 

Recommendations

  • Develop a Comprehensive Change Management Plan: Implement a structured change management program to address resistance and facilitate user adoption.
  • Establish a Centre of Excellence: Create a dedicated team to manage the S/4HANA Public Cloud environment and support users.
  • Prioritise Data Migration and Integration: Ensure seamless data migration and integration with existing systems to minimise disruption.
  • Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement to optimise processes and maximise the benefits of the new system.
  • Communicate Regularly and Transparently: Maintain open communication with stakeholders to address concerns and build trust.
  • Carefully plan the global rollout: Learn from the pilot, and build a detailed rollout plan, with clear milestones, and proper resource allocation.
  • Create champions: Identify key users within each department, and train them to become champions of the new system.

 

Conclusion

Agfa's journey demonstrates the potential of standardisation and cloud adoption to transform a legacy-heavy organisation. By embracing SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud and focusing on user adoption, Agfa has taken a significant step towards achieving operational efficiency and sustainable growth. The success of the pilot project provides a solid foundation for scaling this transformation across the global organisation, enabling Agfa to navigate its challenges and secure its future. The biggest challenge now is scaling the project, and not loosing the momentum that was gained during the pilot.

Technologies

SAP S/4HANA Cloud

Checkout our CIONET COOKBOOK

cookbook

Embark on a culinary journey through the ever-evolving world of digital leadership with our third edition of the CIONET Cookbook: Recipes for Digital Success. Unveiling the intricate trilemma faced by today’s Master Chefs, our trailblazing European CIOs address a challenge at the nexus of customer interests, digital transformation strategies, and IT modernisation. Their secret? Synchronising the gearing between customer, business, and technology to create a frictionless movement through the digital landscape.

The CIONET Cookbook uses the analogy of a five-star restaurant to explain the importance of optimally integrated technology, with the CIO as Master Chef. In order to provide the best service to its customers, a top restaurant must have the right atmosphere, an inviting menu, a well-equipped kitchen, talented and committed front-of-house and kitchen staff and smooth-running processes that ensure an enjoyable experience for diners.

CIONET TV

 
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Kalman Tiboldi - CTO & Founder at GemOne-TVH - Simplify or Die: Why Complexity Is the Real IT Challenge

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Isabelle Droll - CIO for Airline, Corporate, Hotels & Resorts and Sustainability at TUI - Data, Diversity, and Destinations

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Sharon Prior - CIO in transition - How Great Tech Leadership Begins with Business Thinking

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José Antonio López, Group CIO at TOUS - Jewels, Data & AI: Inside the Digital Transformation of TOUS

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Tom Tanghe - General Manager ITC EMEA at Daikin Europe - Reinventing the CIO Role

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CIOFEST 2025 - From Order Taker to Proactive Disruptor

CIONET Reports

 
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A research proposal_AI and the Human Experience

As AI transitions from a specialised tool to an all-pervasive force, understanding its profound implications for our human lives is no longer merely academic but an urgent imperative for social well-being and strategic preparedness.

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Cybersecurity in critical infrastructure

Geopolitical tensions have dominated the headlines for over two years now. In this context, the cyber threat landscape is also evolving rapidly. The protection and security of critical infrastructure – both physical and digital – is becoming increasingly important.

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Get your copy

HDS - From Hype to Reality Navigating the Challenges of GenAI

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Anna Kopp

Head of IT Germany and Regional Office Lead Munich, Microsoft

“The CIONET App allows us to learn from eachother and and find the courage to be authentic by hearing stories from others! Thanks to Tobias and the whole team for bringing us together:-) ”
Mauricio Amaro

Mauricio Amaro

IT Director, IT Thinker

“The main things that I would like to get from our community of Digital Leaders are: networking, share experiences, share best practices and successful cases, and comments and recommendations about providers.”
Vijay Anand

Vijay Anand

Vice president IT & Compliance, VisionaryRCM (A Carlyle Grp Company)

“The CIONET app provides a really cool platform to network and share insights.”

About CIONET

CIONET’s mission is to help IT executives become more at ease and above all more successful in their jobs. So they can do more than just keep up with change but ultimately define it. CIONET opens up a whole new universe of opportunities in IT management.

With the largest membership of corporate digital leaders across Europe, Latin America, US and Australia, CIONET has the expertise and pioneering vision to solve or address any IT management challenge.

Why join CIONET?

From our local and global events, from our publications and research to our executive education programmes, everything we do is aimed at making sure digital leaders maximise their potential.

Connect

with digital leaders who share your interests, who face the same challenges, who care about the same topics.

Share

stories, experiences, and ideas around our shared mission.

Learn

from our exclusive events, publications and research.

Find

inspiration, thought-provoking conversations, expert perspectives and exclusive first-hand content each and every day

Grow

and make better, more well-informed decisions on how to lead your digital business.

Maximise

your potential. Realise your ambitions.

About CIONET

Join CIONET

We'd love to welcome you as the newest member of our CIONET community where Digital Leaders unite. 

You can either send us a registered handwritten letter explaining why you'd like to become a member or you can simply talk to us right here!

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Would you like to know more about CIONET, membership or partnership opportunities? Do you have feedback or any other question? Send us a message!