A new year brings a refreshed perspective and understanding of IT industry needs. There were several rising technological trends over the past year, and now many have come to fruition, changing the way IT professionals are running shop.
Here are the top three factors IT managers should take into consideration:
Adopt Citizen Integration
The current digital landscape is heavily influencing business environments, and directly encouraging the development of “citizen integrators.” Citizen integrators represent business users who look to solve integration challenges themselves, utilizing their own set of applications and strategies. This demographic of business user is creating ad hoc solutions that workaround existing IT protocols. These practices often result in increased levels of productivity and profitability; yet, these duct-tape solutions disrupt existing security protocols.
IT professionals should consider new protocols that address this impending shift in business user mentality while incorporating existing security measures.
Prepare for BYOD
Another factor IT professionals need to accommodate for is the “consumerization of IT.” Business users are utilizing personal devices in the workplace, creating a unified environment that IT professionals must prepare for. The consumerization of IT grants allows for an “anywhere, anytime” approach to business, which certainly yields positive results when it comes to productivity, however, the appropriate security measures must be in place to ensure security.
As mobile platforms, social media and cloud technology empower employees to handle tasks previously done by IT, the gap between a business user’s personal and professional technology usage is minimized. In addition, many applications exist to help business users perform more efficiently – this allows for increased business performance and productivity.
Utilize Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Offerings
IT service professionals will continue moving their offerings to cloud service providers. Cloud based offerings allow IT professionals to deliver services quickly and with relative ease. The incorporation of a hybrid cloud allows businesses to experience the best benefits from cloud services, while still meeting a company’s governance requirements. By establishing a cloud-based infrastructure, IT professionals ensure they are getting the maximum cost savings, adaptability and scalability.
By keeping these factors in mind, IT managers prepare their company for continual growth and flexibility over the coming year, and beyond.