A survey has revealed that Irish IT professionals are struggling to keep up with the increased digital demands placed upon them by employees and business leaders.
According to the findings of a survey by Sungard Availability Services, the drive to adopt new and emerging technologies, from cloud based applications through to online collaborative working, to increase productivity, develop new revenue streams and improve communications with internal and external parties, is placing a significant strain on IT departments.
The research highlighted the level of expectation, with 78% of Irish IT departments stating that digital adoption is critical in remaining competitive within their industry.
Almost three quarters (74%) of employees claimed that digital technologies make their jobs easier, with two thirds saying they enabled them to develop new skills. This is a significant margin over UK figures, Sungard reports, of 63% and 59% respectively, suggesting that Ireland is more proficient in using digital tools within the business.
However, expectations are not necessarily living up to reality. Despite nearly two thirds (63%) of Irish workers believing that their IT team is critical in delivering this digital drive, more than a third (38%) are concerned that their organisation is falling behind the competition. It is clear, said Sungard, that this employee demand is creating pressure for the IT department, as the survey found more than three quarters (76%) of Irish IT Pros believe the speed of digital transformation is not meeting expectations, while nearly half (45%) feel they are behind on management demands.
These demands and expectations mean IT departments are now struggling to control their technology. Almost half (44%) of IT pros believe they lack the skills to integrate new systems into their legacy estate, while 41% stated that security skills were lacking. This skills shortage is also compounded by time pressures, the survey found, with more than a third (36%) claiming they do not have enough time to dedicate to implementing digital tools.
“Ireland has always been a technologically progressive nation,” said Keith Tilley, executive vice president, global sales and customer services management, Sungard Availability Services, “best demonstrated by the number of high profile tech brands that have made the country the base of their EMEA headquarters. The demand for the latest digital tools and services is just another example of the region’s appetite for IT.”
“Part of what makes Irish businesses so successful is that IT must deliver the digital-first approach that employees need. Failure to do so could seriously hamper their organisation’s chance of growth,” said Tilley.
Tilley said that while the IT department could be likened to a ‘bear’ that is slow, unpredictable and liable to lash out when placed under pressure, controlling the bear is a challenge in itself. However, “once done it will allow IT departments to position themselves as a centre point within their organisation’s strategic vision.”
“Harnessing the strength of this ‘bear’ will offer huge benefits to Irish businesses, allowing them to stay at the cutting edge of technology,” said Tilley.
“Right now, all eyes are on the IT department to help to drive this change, but they don’t need to go it alone. Working with the right partner can offer the support needed to generate success and keep the bear in check,” he said.
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