Industry research indicates that over 55% of the UK’s private and public sector workers report their employers are experiencing a severe digital skills shortage, while 48% report that a lack of quality business technology would encourage them to leave their current job.
The current uncertainty, both economically and within the job market, has undoubtedly put many companies in a precarious situation when it comes to effectively scaling IT operations to keep pace with business growth. Add to this the increased pressure that digital transformation has brought on companies to accelerate their existing IT infrastructures, and it is clear to see why so many businesses are turning to managed services to help them mitigate the challenges of skill shortages.
So, how can managed services help your business maintain a competitive edge in a climate of uncertainty and skills insufficiency?
Providing experts
Managed services providers do not only have access to the most up-to-date technologies and IT systems, they also have teams of expert consultants at their disposal. Businesses who attempt to operate an entirely in-house IT infrastructure also bear the brunt of ensuring they have the relevant experts on board, often at a huge cost. Managed service providers can help mitigate this high-risk strategy by providing you with the expertise you need to keep both your core IT systems and your business running, ensuring your organisation does not live or die by the availability of specialists.
Aligning strategy with technology
Many companies rely on aging technologies and outdated IT systems, exacerbating already existing skill gaps and shortages as the relevant talent pool shrinks. This is further compounded by the growing demand for high calibre specialists among start-ups and SMEs alike.
For businesses operating on a tight IT budget, or those simply wanting to use their IT spend more efficiently, managed services offer a far more attractive option. Providers can help you align your IT systems and technological investment with your current business aims, continually evaluating the systems you are using for areas of improvement, while delivering access to the most cutting-edge technologies available on the market. Not only do you save by removing the need to source increasingly niche expertise, but also through improving both operating costs and effectiveness.
Complementing existing teams
Managed services offer a unique opportunity to change the focus and direction of an entire organisation. By simplifying the IT environment of your business, managed services essentially free up your own workforce, allowing them to concentrate on other meaningful, high-value tasks that drive business growth.
Additionally, integrating managed services can help to close the skills gap by embedding tech expertise within your organisation. This further compensates for skill shortages, while proving the opportunity to accelerate digital transformation within your IT department at a relatively low risk and cost to the business.
Conclusion
Skill gaps and shortages undoubtedly pose a challenge to businesses, but managed services can help mitigate these issues, allowing your business to continue to grow in an uncertain climate. Not only can service providers take on the risks, freeing you from many of the cost and time-consuming responsibilities of sourcing skilled workers in-house, they can also offer cutting-edge technology and specialists at the fraction of the cost.
Contact Core today for your obligation-free business consultation to see how managed services can help your business overcome skills shortages.
