For CIOs trying to get more for less at their respective businesses, cloud computing and business intelligence are two of their primary technological concerns in 2012, according to a recent report by Gartner. As far as business growth, CIOs want to use technology to increase the size of their enterprise, gain more customers and keep their current customers.

"Technology's role in the enterprise is increasing. This does not mean, however, that the role of the IT organization is increasing," said Mark McDonald, group vice president for Gartner Executive Programs and Gartner Fellow. "CIOs concentrating on IT as a force of operational automation, integration and control are losing ground to executives who see technology as a business amplifier and source of innovation. Effective leaders use technology, which includes IT, to strengthen the customer experience and eliminate costly internal distortions."

Dave Aron, vice president and fellow for Gartner's CIO Research group, said business intelligence took back the top spot of concern after a couple of years due to expectations being very high and not being met. He said corporations were disillusioned with what technology could provide due to not having the resources to make it happen.

With budgets essentially remaining flat this year, according to Gartner, cloud computing could be a great way for CIOs to trim the budget and still be able to expand out to new people and grow the company.