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 Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and how managed service providers in the region 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 Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg plan to place focus in this year, but there is also strong demand for cybersecurity, data and infrastructure—creating opportunity for solution providers.
According to businesses selecting their top two priorities among the four IT pillars, 64% companies will be focusing on software development in 2020 followed by cybersecurity (47%), data (45%), and infrastructure (45%). Respondents cited the most critical areas within software development as AI/machine learning and mobile development.
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 41% choosing AI, following by 5G, internet of things (IoT), virtual reality and serverless computing.
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 Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, those responsibilities include working to accelerate approach (43%); participating in cross-departmental discussions (40%); and highlighting ethical issues (37%), among others. As responsibilities grow, 68% of businesses say they have adjusted their approach to technology by balancing current operations with emerging adoption while 13% are focusing on maintenance with selective new elements, and 19% 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 Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg say problem solving (50%), teamwork (44%), and communication (42%) top the list when it comes to the skills they need to round out their teams.
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