February 5, 2019
Complex technology, skills shortages prompt businesses to look for partners that can facilitate IT and digital transformation projects
By Channelnomics Staff
IT departments are under increasing pressure to design and implement advanced IT systems to meet their companies’ operational needs and customer expectations. However, technology complexity and skill shortages are prompting businesses to seek more outside help from IT solution providers, a new study by TEKsystems finds.
The Lowdown: TEKsystems, an enterprise service provider, surveyed CIOs and senior IT executives about their technology and digital transformation plans for 2019. By and large, IT leaders believe their departments are responsible for helping their organizations gain a competitive edge over the next 24 months.
IT leaders are confident in their ability to design and manage IT projects involving new technologies such as data analytics, application development, cloud computing, automation, and security. However, IT leaders are feeling pressure to achieve transformational and impactful IT goals with their existing resources. An inability to hire the right and enough people with requisite skills is the largest challenge in project execution, the report states.
The Details: Technologies that CIOs and IT leaders are finding it difficult to address include cloud computing, data analytics, development operations, and security. The skill shortage comes at a time when the surveyed companies are undertaking major initiatives. Ninety percent say they are or will undertake an advanced security initiative, 84 percent say they’re working on new cloud computing programs, 78 percent are developing new data analytics capabilities, and 72 percent are focusing on new development operations.
The Impact: While 80 percent of the surveyed CIOs and IT leaders expressed confidence in their ability to complete significant IT and transformation projects, they also say they can’t do it alone. More than one-half (52 percent) expect to see spending increase for third-party and solution provider-driven IT projects and services. Another 35 percent are anticipating increased spending on outsourced IT services and support.
Channelnomics Point of View: The implications of the TEKsystems’ survey results are significant for the overall IT channel, as they reflect the increasing demand for skilled service providers. Customers are looking to outside expert support for their professional services rather than product acquisition. Partners that can deliver professional services, particularly in advanced technologies with limited skilled labor pools, will find a welcoming market.
