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The Evolving Role of CIOs in Data Monetization Strategies

Isha TanejaSeptember 8, 2025September 8, 202508 mins

Data is no longer just a by-product of digital operations. For modern enterprises, it’s a core asset with measurable commercial value. Today’s CIOs are no longer back-office operators—they are the architects of data-driven business models. According to Accenture’s 2024 Technology Vision, 67% of CIOs say data monetization is now part of their core mandate. So, how exactly are CIOs driving this shift from data cost centers to data profit engines? Let’s explore real examples from Deloitte, Infosys, and how Complere Infosystem is enabling smarter, faster monetization at scale.

From Cost Keeper to Value Creator

Historically, CIOs were tasked with data security and storage. Today, they must extract insight, drive innovation, and unlock new revenue.

At Deloitte:

- CIOs have developed internal data exchanges that power cross-industry benchmarking services.

At Complere Infosystem:

- CIOs lead the DataValueX framework—turning client data into APIs, insights-as-a-service, and predictive tools sold to adjacent markets.

“The best CIOs today don’t just manage IT. They engineer monetizable intelligence.” — Isha Taneja, CEO, Complere Infosystem

Data Monetization Readiness (2022–2025)

Year	Enterprises Monetizing Data	CIOs with Monetization KPIs
2022	27%	33%
2024	53%	58%
2025 (Projected)	69%	74%

Strategy Trait #1: Building Data as a Product

Monetizing data starts with product thinking. CIOs are building internal and external data products that offer real value to users.

Infosys, for example:

- Offers anonymized benchmarking insights for clients using its AI data lake.

Complere enables:

Revenue-grade APIs that allow clients to expose curated datasets for fintechs, healthtechs, and e-commerce platforms.
Low-latency data layers for real-time insights packaged as a subscription.

How Enterprises Monetize Data Today (2025)

- 35% Analytics-as-a-Service
- 25% Data Marketplaces
- 20% Embedded Data APIs
- 10% Licensing to Partners
- 10% Internal Optimization & Resale

Strategy Trait #2: Governance as the Enabler, Not the Bottleneck

CIOs must ensure compliance without slowing down data velocity. Deloitte launched a Data Governance Accelerator that helps clients model legal, ethical, and financial implications before a data product goes live.

Complere delivers:

Auto-classification & lineage mapping for all monetized datasets.
Real-time compliance scoring aligned with GDPR, HIPAA, and RBI standards.

“Governance isn’t about slowing down data. It’s about protecting its long-term value.”

Strategy Trait #3: Partnering for Data Ecosystem Growth

Data monetization is rarely a solo act. CIOs must collaborate across legal, finance, sales, and external partners. Infosys co-developed new marketplace data packages with telecom providers.

Complere works with clients to:

Establish revenue-share models with ecosystem partners.
Co-create data-driven services for emerging markets like agri-tech and wellness tech.

How Enterprises Monetize Data Today (2025)

- 2022: $420M
- 2023: $610M
- 2024: $940M
- 2025 (Projected): $1.3B

Strategy Trait #4: Embedding Monetization into Digital Architecture

Smart CIOs don’t bolt on monetization—they build for it. At Deloitte, data pipelines are architected for reuse across products.

Complere implements:

Modular, monetization-ready data layers.
AI-driven segmentation pipelines that feed both internal ops and external offerings.

“The future CIO will be remembered less for uptime, and more for unlocking growth.”

Strategy Trait #5: Proving Value to the Boardroom

Boards don’t fund infrastructure. They invest in outcomes.

Modern CIOs must:

Map every data initiative to revenue opportunity.
Showcase KPIs like customer data ROI, data resale value, and insight conversion.

At Complere, clients saw:

2.7x ROI on curated datasets sold via API.
45% faster board approval for data initiatives.

CIO-Driven Data Monetization

Leadership Area	Infosys Strategy	Deloitte Approach	Complere Edge
Data Productization	AI Data Lakes	Internal Benchmarking Platforms	API Monetization via DataValueX
Governance & Compliance	Ethics by Design	Data Governance Accelerator	Real-Time Compliance Scoring
Ecosystem Growth	Telecom Co-built Packages	Industry Marketplace Models	AgriTech & HealthTech Data Revenue
Monetization Architecture	Pipeline Reuse	Multi-Product Twin Use	Modular, Monetization-First Framework
Boardroom KPIs	Client-Impact Metrics	Cost-to-Value Maps	Real-Time ROI Dashboards

Final Thoughts:

The CIO is no longer just the backbone of IT. They are the bridge between infrastructure and income. As Deloitte and Infosys modernize global models, Complere Infosystem empowers clients to monetize faster, govern smarter, and scale with precision. “Monetization isn’t a trend. It’s the future role of every CIO who wants to lead the business conversation.” Complere Infosystem helps CIOs unlock revenue, reduce waste, and power smarter strategies.

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Editor Bio

I’m Isha Taneja, serving as the Editor-in-Chief at "The Executive Outlook." Here, I interview industry leaders to share their personal opinions and provide valuable insights to the industry. Additionally, I am the CEO of Complere Infosystem, where I work with data to help businesses make smart decisions. Based in India, I leverage the latest technology to transform complex data into simple and actionable insights, ensuring companies utilize their data effectively.
In my free time, I enjoy writing blog posts to share my knowledge, aiming to make complex topics easy to understand for everyone.