Partners claim skills shortage is stopping them adopting new tech - report

CompTIA also highlights shadow channel as a threat to partners

Four in 10 resellers in the UK claim that a lack of technical ability and trained employees is hampering their adoption of emerging technologies, according to a CompTIA report.

CompTIA said that IoT, AI and 5G are the most popular new technologies in the UK channel, driven by demand from end users.

However, the report claimed that 40 per cent of resellers feel that a lack of both technical know-how and available people are damaging their development in new areas.

Carolyn April, senior director of industry analysis at CompTIA, said: "Most channel firms see major potential in emerging technologies.

"In many instances it remains a slow, iterative process for technology providers and customers alike.

"But more than half of the channel companies say they're selling at least one category of emerging tech to customers today."

CompTIA also highlighted the shadow channel as a challenge for partners, stating that accounting firms, marketing agencies and law firms are "just a few examples of non-traditional players" that are now selling IT products.

The body claimed that the channel is addressing this new-found threat by partnering with "new market entrants".

"These arrangements help fill gaps in skill sets or solutions portfolios, mitigate technical complexity that prevents some companies from entering new markets, and enable an easier entry into the emerging tech arena," April added.