Worldwide IT spending is expected to reach $5 trillion in 2024, an increase of 6.8% from 2023. But this increased spending doesn’t necessarily translate to bigger IT teams. With a continued labor shortage and skills gap, IT teams have limited resources to keep up with the rapid pace of technological innovation. Organizations must invest in technology that contributes to profitability and productivity and fill IT talent gaps to meet digital transformation goals in 2024.
Here’s how to set IT teams - and your business - up for success this year:
#1: Give IT teams greater access to data through connected devices
To mitigate the IT labor shortages, organizations should invest in technology solutions that enhance connectivity and data access. With connected hardware and integrated software, IT teams can get a holistic view of the company’s operations, collect and analyze data to identify potential tech issues before they arise, and communicate seamlessly with onsite and remote teams. Real-time data access through connected devices also helps teams determine the most essential tasks and prioritize resources accordingly.
However, deploying disparate hardware and software solutions will only increase the IT burden. 68% of IT workers feel overwhelmed by the number of technical resources required to access the data they need to work. The answer is an integrated hardware, software, and service ecosystem. With everything in one place, IT teams can effectively service current deployments and plan for what’s next. It’s a win-win for productivity and ROI.
#2: Embrace flexible devices for mobile teams
Only 33% of workers are tied to a single work location, like a central office or store. With increased mobility comes the potential for more wear and tear on devices. It’s one thing to take a laptop from a desk to a coffee shop, but what about more rugged industries - like a utility worker moving from a central office to an air-conditioned van to a hot solar field? A typical consumer laptop would deteriorate quickly under those conditions, requiring IT teams to replace devices more frequently. This not only wastes money but also takes workers away from high-value projects. So, as remote and mobile workforces continue to be business as usual, organizations must prioritize devices with a long lifecycle, like rugged mobile solutions. These devices can withstand extreme weather and adapt to changing job requirements with changeable ports and features. Rugged devices will extend the life of deployed technology, reducing e-waste and money spent on new devices.
But even with rugged and flexible devices, and software to increase device longevity, IT teams may still need support during and after deployment. It all ties back to prioritizing investments in profitability and productivity, growing 8% to nearly $1.5 trillion. These services can include last mile deployment support or staff augmentation. Last-mile deployment services help IT teams with some of the most time-intensive tasks — like unboxing, preparing, and issuing new devices. Especially if an organization has a limited IT team, it could take too much time to go through deployment and configuration steps, or even require additional personnel from other departments. This takes IT and other staff away from their essential duties as well as strategic projects they may be working on. And even after deployment, IT teams may need support for tasks like routine maintenance or servicing. This time adds up quickly. Technology providers that offer long-lasting devices with easy access to relevant software upgrades and integrate IT services like device deployment and staff augmentation will stand out among competitors.
#3: Adopt technology that serves a clear purpose
From frontline workers to utility professionals, mission-critical industries rely heavily on data and connectivity. These workers must perform essential tasks in extreme environments, requiring rugged mobile devices that work just as hard as they do.
For example, a fire chief needs to monitor crews during an emergency. However, they work in extremely hot environments and may need to move around the scene. They also may need to pull up building blueprints at a moment’s notice and communicate with the fire station if they need more support. A consumer-grade device won’t withstand the high heat and would break if waterlogged from a firehose. Rugged mobile devices not only offer the physical toughness needed for a fire scene but also the enhanced computing power and software the crew needs to effectively address all aspects of the emergency.
And with extreme weather continuing to tax utility grids, the utility industry relies on connected sensors and monitoring equipment to stay ahead of the latest oncoming storm or cold front. In addition to temperature challenges, most utility grids are in remote locations with unstable connectivity. With a rugged mobile device, utility professionals can confidently leave a central office to check a grid, even in sub-zero or 100-plus-degree weather, and still maintain reliable access to sensor data and communication with other team members. These devices have more than just a hard exterior. They serve a unique purpose by combining ruggedization with enhanced connectivity options to keep essential workers connected no matter where they go.
#4: Go back to the basics
To fully embrace the benefits of the latest technology - like AI, the metaverse, and robotics - the enterprise needs to deploy flexible, connected, and long-lasting devices and equip IT teams with additional services to combat the labor shortage. Without this strong foundation, IT teams will struggle to maintain current ecosystems and prepare for what’s coming down the pipeline. Rugged mobile solutions not only benefit IT and mission-critical teams but entire organizations and communities by creating a sustainable technology ecosystem that will adapt to the rapid pace of technological innovation.
