CHICAGO, Ill. —Enova, a premier online provider of credit products and services to under-served consumers, today announced it is a recipient of IDG’s CIO magazine 2010 CIO 100 award. The 23rd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).
“We are honored to be part of the CIO 100 this year after improving our IT systems to better serve our customers and improve our overall operations,” said Mark Friedgan, CIO, Enova. “At Enova, we recognize that IT is the backbone to running a successful business and this award showcases our commitment to innovation through the use of IT solutions.”
Enova was selected as an honoree for its innovative approach to creating efficiencies across its IT systems. Enova’s IT implementations included replacing the operating system on its customer representative desks with diskless Linux workstations. Additionally, the disk-based workstations were either replaced or reconfigured and new workstations were able to reuse existing equipment. Enova also updated its phone system comprised of 40 servers, which enables customer service representatives to handle phone calls for all of their divisions worldwide.
As a result of these improvements, Enova has reduced call center seat costs by more than $500 per user and the new diskless workstations are more energy efficient, resulting in power and HVAC savings. Furthermore, the new dialer system now connects call center representatives to customers more quickly and efficiently and allows representatives to leave an automated message on a customer’s voicemail, freeing up representatives to serve other customers. All of the dialer system changes have resulted in lower headcount needs.
“This year’s CIO 100 awards draws well-deserved attention to companies that are not only innovating with IT but creating genuine business value as well,” said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of CIO magazine & events. “These winning companies and their IT organizations are an inspiration to businesses everywhere.”
The 2010 CIO 100 awards will be presented at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on August 24th at the conclusion of the twelfth annual CIO 100 Symposium® and Awards Ceremony.
About the CIO 100
The recipients of this year’s CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative IT and business initiatives. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges’ recommendations and voted on the final 100. Once the top 100 honorees were selected, several honorees were chosen to receive an additional special award. The recipients of this special award will be revealed at the CIO 100 awards ceremony in August. Complete coverage of the 2010 CIO 100 awards will be online at www.cio.com on June 1, 2010 and in the August 1st issue of CIO magazine.
About Enova
Enova is dedicated to providing convenient and licensed financial services. Enova and its businesses were built on the premise of providing convenient and reliable services by using the most innovative technology available. Supported by a proprietary credit model, extensive marketing relationships and state-of-the-art technology, Enova has the unique tools to meet individualized customer needs.
The Enova family of companies began in 2004 as a start-up operation. In 2006, the online business was acquired by Cash America, providing Enova with the resources to expand to new customers, products and geographies. Today, the company has over 500 team members serving over one million customers in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.  For more information, visit www.enovafinancial.com.
About CIO Magazine
CIO produces award-winning content and community resources for information technology executives thriving and prospering in this fast-paced era of business, as well as creates opportunities for information technology and consumer marketers to reach them. The CIO portfolio includes CIO.com, CIO magazine (launched in 1987), CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council. CIO properties provide business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT’s role in achieving business goals. The U.S. edition of the magazine and website are recipients of more than 200 awards to date, including three Grand Neals from the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards and two Magazine of the Year awards from the National Society of Business Publication Editors. CIO websites and magazines appear in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France and Germany. CIO are produced by CXO Media a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world’s leading technology media, research and event company.