IT managers struggle to keep up with business demands

Survey reveals IT managers are dedicating too much time to existing systems at the expense of wider business strategy

Bauer: IT managers are facing a real crisis at the moment

IT managers facing declining budgets and headcounts are struggling to keep up with the changes in the business environment, according to a survey commissioned by email management vendor Mimecast.

The research conducted by market researcher emedia found that out of 250 UK IT managers, 48 per cent dedicated the majority of their time to maintaining systems and technology rather than directing IT strategy and policy.

Nearly half said they were concerned that they were lacking the business resources to be able to align IT strategy to fully support any changes within the business.

According to the survey, 98 per cent of respondents said the allocation of resources was dedicated to maintaining existing systems.

Only two per cent said resources are set aside for the high-valued tasks of setting strategy and maintaining corporate process.

IT managers also admitted they are facing a static or decrease in IT headcount (87 per cent) with a further 77 per cent facing a decrease in their budget.

Peter Bauer, chief executive and co-founder of Mimecast, said: “IT managers are facing a real crisis at the moment. Not only are budgets and head count frozen but they are having to deliver greater business value and manage significant organisational change as a result of the economic environment.

“This in effect is the perfect storm. IT managers actually need more time than ever before to focus on ensuring IT strategy is aligned with the business. Investment in technologies that free up resources, such as cloud computing, can remove some of the headache.”