Analysis of Operational Efficiency in IT Businesses

Research - Member ContentPublished : April 30, 2018


The key to operational efficiency requires an unflinching examination of how well – or not – operations run today, especially before taking the plunge into a new business model. This includes examination of sales and marketing, finance, human resources, supply chain and beyond. For this study, CompTIA research took a look at how channel firms self-assess their current state of operational efficiency, asking respondents where they see areas of success and challenges, and what actions they are or will be taking to shore up their businesses. As a baseline, most respondents in the study reported undergoing a moderate or high degree of business transformation, which likely includes transitioning to a recurring revenue model such as managed services, specializing in a vertical industry or other niche, or becoming a business consultant focused on helping customers adapt to the digital economy. Based on topline results, two in 10 respondents assessed their current state of operations as very efficient, with another 39 percent deeming themselves mostly efficient at present. Thirty-six percent ranked themselves in the middle of the pack in terms of efficiency, with some areas in good standing and others not. How operational-efficiency work is prioritized reveals itself to be a key differentiator among firms. Six in 10 respondents described their approach as proactive and structured, while 36 percent said they operated in ad hoc or reactive mode. One group is preventing fires; the other is putting them out, for the most part. From a complexity standpoint, respondents are split pretty evenly that their business operational requirements have either gotten more complicated (45 percent) or remained the same (43 percent) over the last two years. The main reasons for greater complexity include more data streams to manage, the tug of new business models and a more challenging customer environment.

The content you requested is available to CompTIA Community Subscribers and CompTIA Community members. If you have an account sign in here.


Become a CompTIA Community Subscriber (complimentary)

CompTIA Community Subscribers receive select access to tech industry research and trends, training materials and CompTIA’s technology communities. Join now to stay connected to more than 200,000 industry peers, business leaders and tech innovators. Registration is free and open to anyone. No strings attached. 

Build Connections

Join Technology Communities

Access Industry Insight

Ready for more? Consider a CompTIA corporate membership to give you—and every person at your company—full access to all of CompTIA’s resources to help you grow your tech business.

Register now. It’s free!