The IT Industry Outlook 2020 report included survey data from the four regions where CompTIA has international communities: Canada, United Kingdom, Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) and Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg (Benelux). The responses paint a picture of how IT is getting done across the world and how solution providers can meet the needs of their clients. Here, we take a look at the technology priorities in Canada and how managed service providers can help companies fill the gaps.
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As companies mature in their technology usage, there are demands for infrastructure, software development, cybersecurity and data—the four IT pillars defined by CompTIA’s IT framework. According to CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook 2020, software development is the area where most companies in Canada plan to place focus in this year, but there is also strong demand for data, cybersecurity and infrastructure—creating opportunity for solution providers.
According to businesses selecting their top two priorities among the four IT pillars, 59% companies will be focusing on software development in 2020 followed by data (57%), cybersecurity (42%), and infrastructure (42%). Respondents cited the most critical areas within software development as user experience, quality assurance and AI/machine learning.
Organizations were also asked to choose the three emerging technologies that they believe hold the most potential for their business in 2020. According to survey respondents, they see the most opportunity with artificial intelligence (AI), with 49% choosing AI, following by internet of things, 5G, serverless computing and robotic process automation.
The importance of technology to business objectives makes tech an integral part of operations and gives MSPs and IT pros an opportunity to take on more responsibilities. But companies must balance current operations with their desire to innovate while being cognizant of their IT staff’s ever-growing role in the strategic direction of the organization.
According to businesses in Canada, those responsibilities include participating in cross-departmental discussions (52%); building required systems (32%); and leading discussions around emerging technology (32%), among others. As responsibilities grow, 64% of businesses say they have adjusted their approach to technology by balancing current operations with emerging adoption while 18% are focusing on maintenance with selective new elements, and 18% are aiming to incorporate cutting edge technology.
The trend of skill diversity is not lost on technology professionals or businesses. The first step in handling complexity is to grow individual skills, but as things scale up, it becomes untenable for one person to handle it all. But for companies, building a skilled workforce is a primary option for growth. That’s where opportunity knocks for MSPs. MSPs can fill in the gaps with skilled and specialized IT pros so that businesses can grow. IT managers in Canada say problem solving (61%), teamwork (50%), and depth of skill in a particular field (41%) top the list when it comes to the skills they need to round out their teams.
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