For many years, organisations have regarded outsourced or managed IT support as essential to keep their computers, emails and systems up and running. Technical issues were resolved, software updates were installed, and helpdesk support was available via an outside IT provider whenever problems arose. However, the expectations that today’s businesses place upon their technology have changed considerably, even over the last five years, and this approach no longer meets the needs of modern, tech-savvy and commercially aware organisations.
Today’s technology-based operations that include the cloud, hybrid working, cybersecurity threats, and AI-driven technology, together with heightened customer and regulatory expectations, have placed pressure on companies to become more digitally connected and have transformed what they want and need from their IT function.
This has resulted in organisations requiring more than traditional IT support, especially as they embark on digital transformation programmes, and they are now seeking technology partners that can provide the flexibility, expertise and insight that support growth and resilience. As a result, we’re seeing an increased demand for technology professionals who can offer IT support organisations the specialist skills they need to provide innovative, practical and strategic solutions for their clients.
Past vs future
Traditional managed IT services have evolved significantly over recent years. From being a reactive service that simply maintained hardware and systems, fixed issues when systems failed, monitored infrastructure, provided ticket-based technical support and ensured that networks remained operational, today’s IT partners are expected to:
- Support digital transformation programmes
- Deliver scalable cloud environments
- Strengthen cyber resilience
- Implement automation and AI systems
- Enable remote and hybrid working
- Support compliance and data governance
- Drive data-led decision making
- Improve operational efficiency and productivity while reducing costs
- Enhance customer service and experiences
- Support sustainability initiatives.
This all means that IT has moved from being a support function to a core business enabler, resulting in a demand for IT specialists who can act as consultants and advisors and contribute to the wider business objectives of tomorrow.
Why talent is the key
As businesses across the UK reevaluate what they want and need from their IT partners, many providers are struggling to find talent with the highly specialised expertise required to deliver these projects.
Shortages in certain technology skillsets have led to competition for individuals with experience in:
- Cybersecurity
- UX/UI design
- Cloud and DevOps engineering
- Infrastructure and network architecture
- Data and analytics
- AI, machine learning, automation and ethics
- IT project management
- Digital transformation leadership.
In addition, the unprecedented rate of technological change has contributed to the current skills gap and made it increasingly difficult for IT support organisations to recruit and retain the talent they need to maintain and improve their clients’ business priorities. For such organisations, hiring delays can affect growth and timelines and add pressure on existing teams.
How nufuture can help
As a specialist, proactive recruitment agency, we can add significant value to traditional hiring support. We help our clients to build long-term workforce strategies that can anticipate talent shortages before they impact growth or operations through a range of different approaches:
Passive talent – many of the most talented IT professionals are, naturally, already in a job and are not searching for a new one. At nufuture, however, we maintain an established network of skilled passive candidates who may be open to new opportunities when approached appropriately. This enables IT support businesses to access skilled professionals they’d otherwise be unable to reach through conventional advertising, giving them a competitive advantage.
Market insights and salary benchmarking – because of our extensive sector expertise, we can provide IT employers with up-to-date insights on matters such as salary expectations, employer branding, hiring trends, workforce planning, candidate availability, skills shortages, and retention strategies. With all facets of the IT recruitment market moving faster than ever, our advice can help our clients remain competitive.
Faster hiring processes – with the average time-to-hire now standing at eight weeks, increasing pressure on existing teams and creating heightened operational risk, we can streamline the process through rigorous candidate pre-screening, technical capability assessment and efficiently managed interviews, enabling our clients to secure critical talent before their competitors do.
Long-term growth support – as well as filling immediate vacancies - we work closely with our IT support clients to better understand their future plans, workforce gaps, scaling requirements, succession planning, and contract and permanent hiring strategies to create more sustainable and agile workforce planning.
A better candidate experience – an in-demand IT professional may receive more than one offer simultaneously, meaning that the recruitment process must be as seamless and friction-free as possible. We help employers to create engaging hiring processes that highlight an employer’s brand, and we’ll work with our clients to ensure that IT professionals’ expectations, in terms of flexible working, career progression and training opportunities, are addressed.
Responding to an evolving IT support environment
The move beyond traditional managed IT support reflects a shift in how organisations view their technological needs and priorities. IT support is now becoming less focused on technical maintenance and more on partners that can deliver strategic innovation, improve resilience and support firms’ long-term commercial goals in an increasingly digitally reliant economy.
However, without access to the skilled professionals that IT support businesses need to implement and manage these systems, many transformation initiatives will fall short of their parameters.
nufuture understands the evolving IT environment and can help IT support businesses strengthen their hiring strategies, gain access to in-demand expertise to enhance their offerings, and create an organisation best positioned for the technological demands of the future.