IT managers failing to cope with pace of change

The rapid pace of technological change is making investment decisions more difficult for IT managers.

The challenges which IT managers face includes bringing in the right tools to manage business applications and infrastructure to implementing the right technology for employees.

Currently 62% of IT decision makers admit to having invested in hardware or software that has never been used, revealing the level of difficulty that they face when deciding what to invest in.

Rackspace, who surveyed 250 IT decision makers across the UK, found that 51% had deployed technology within the company that employees had never used or received the full benefit from.

The difficulty of using some of the technology that has been bought is seen as one of the key struggles for 74%. It was also found that those who invested in the more difficult to use technology, were also more likely to go over budget (74%).

John Engates, CTO, Rackspace said: "Technology has undoubtedly transformed the way we work and has become intrinsically linked with how businesses function and run but it is also evolving at a much faster pace than ever before."

"Whilst the promise of IT transformation presents exciting opportunities for businesses, the sheer number of options facing IT departments is daunting. And the impact of IT failure is more public and more punitive than ever before. This is an industry-wide challenge."

One of the key fears felt by IT departments is that of a loss of service caused by a decision to update software. Rackspace found that updates has left employees unable to access servers (22%), a website crash (22%), employees unable to access the internet (19%) and employees unable to access emails (18%).

Engates, said: "It’s an exciting time for IT departments. On the one hand technology is enabling them to become part of the business conversation around increasing efficiency, improving productivity and adding real value to their organisations."

"On the other hand, as a business critical function, there appears to be a feeling of vulnerability in terms of making a potentially damaging decision."

The most important things for businesses to address are to do more background research before investing, get a second opinion and expert advice and educate employees on the benefits of the technology you are implementing.