How a Skills Gap Impedes the Use of New Tech

How a Skills Gap Impedes the Use of New Tech

A skills gap in IT workers is slowing the implementation of new technologies such as the IoT and AI, but third-party partnerships could help turn that around.

78% of respondents say it is vital or very important to keep up with the latest tech trends. 88% agree financial gains can be made by responding to IT trends within their business, and 86% say they can gain competitive advantage by doing so.

Although they know the innovative use of technology can impact the bottom line, the rate of implementation is low. 90% of IT decision-makers say big data is relevant to their industry, but only 64% are implementing it. 50% believe AI is relevant, but only 25% of organizations are adopting it. 70% say IoT is relevant, yet only 30% are implementing it. 46% recognize the importance of wearable technologies, but only 10% are implementing it.

Management pushback: no perceived business case and concerns over cost fog discussion. Risk aversion: many businesses look to their competitors to test technologies first. Lack of vision: 75% of respondents claim their organization keeps abreast of trends, but later questions belie this—many businesses have neither the skills to identify opportunities nor to implement and manage the technologies.

One-third of respondents believe key tech advances will be implemented in their industry within the next 12 months, including cloud-based solutions. Contrary to analysts’ predictions, 34% think it will happen within the next five years.

90% of respondents say the IoT is more than a year away from providing a solution for their industry. 52% say IoT will be implemented in their industry within the next five years.

46% of respondents say big data will be implemented in their industry within the next five years. 19% say they do not think 3-D printing will ever be ready for use. 15% say the same for AI and virtual reality.

Only three in 10 respondents have implemented the IoT. 80% say they have neither skills to implement these technologies nor to keep up-to-date with them.

Besides lack of skills, costs and staff privacy impede wearable implementation. 75% of respondents do not have the skills to implement wearables and 76% don’t have the skills to keep up with the trend.

90% of decision-makers say big data is relevant to their industry. 66% say they don’t have the skills to implement big data.

79% of respondents say they don’t have the skills to identify opportunities this technology offers. 80% say they do not have the skills to implement or keep up-to-date with such trends.

The report concludes that third-party partnerships are essential to avoid being left behind and to instead grasp the full potential of technological advancements.