As we finish out the end of the first quarter of 2015, we’ve noticed a few key trends that will continue to dominate the IT landscape through the coming year. As these trends continue to gain momentum in the market, it is changing the way IT professionals are running shop.
Here are three key actions IT Managers can take to ensure success in 2015:
Embrace the “Citizen Integrator”
The current digital landscape is impacting business environments in a big way, and directly encouraging the development of “citizen integrators” – a term coined by a big-time analyst firm that shall remain nameless but starts with a ‘G.’ Citizen integrators represent business users who look to solve integration challenges using their own applications and strategies, often by creating ad hoc solutions that bypass Corporate IT. While these methods can often result in increased levels of productivity and profitability, they can also disrupt existing security protocols and give IT managers heartburn.
IT professionals should consider new processes that address this shift in business user mentality while incorporating existing security measures.
Prepare for BYOD
Another trend IT professionals need to consider is the use of smart phones, tablets and other personal devices and applications in the workplace (Bring Your Own Device). This “anywhere, anytime” approach to business, is a productivity boon, but makes some IT leaders uncomfortable due to the security implications.
As mobile platforms, cloud technology and the explosion of business apps empower employees to handle tasks previously done by IT, the gap between a business user’s personal and professional technology usage grows smaller by the day. The sooner IT managers account for this business environment shift, the sooner they can devote additional time and resources to higher level tasks.
Utilize Cloud and Hybridize Where Necessary
Cloud based offerings allow IT professionals to deliver services more quickly and easily than ever before. However, security is an issue that continues to keep IT up at night. Fortunately, hybrid cloud offerings allow businesses to experience the best benefits from cloud services, while still meeting a company’s governance requirements. By establishing an in-house or on-premises cloud-based infrastructure, IT professionals can still get the best of both worlds when it comes to cost savings, adaptability, scalability, and security.
Keep these factors in mind and your organization will be poised for continual growth and flexibility over the coming year and beyond.