Despite optimistic outlook, survey of 550 IT professionals reveals IT departments are also braced to meet challenges of compliance, integration and staffing issues this year

- Top priorities of IT departments are security (46%) and strategic projects (44%)
- But 50% say the helpdesk and supporting end users takes up most of their time
- 80% of IT teams support at least three sites; but 62% still rely on desk-side visits to manage their IT estate

London, UK – 11th March 2010 – Strategic projects, simplifying the delivery of IT services and driving efficiencies into the IT department are the top three goals of UK IT professionals in 2010, according to a new research report from Kaseya. The study of 550 IT professionals, available to download today at http://www.itsurvey.eu/thebusinessofit , also highlights the key challenges facing UK IT departments this year, with the top three issues cited as: integration (43%), staffing (37%) and compliance (34%).

Challenges in 2009
Kaseya’s report, Understanding the Business of IT, also looked back over the past 12 months to uncover the key pain points of IT professionals in 2009.  These were managing increasingly complex infrastructures (39%); justifying IT spend to the board; and coping with demanding end users (36%).  Over half (59%) of IT professionals also experienced at least one critical issue in 2009, with 26% handling a virus attack and 24% the theft of a PC or laptop.

What takes up the IT department’s time
When asked about the tasks that take up most of their time, there was a clear winner among IT professionals, with 50% highlighting the helpdesk and supporting end users.  The number of dispersed sites and the way they manage the IT estate is another drain on resources.  Four out of five (80%) of IT professionals support end users in at least three locations and 62% rely on desk-side visits to manage their IT estates.  The survey also reveals a lack of integrated management processes, with 24% mainly managing their IT estate manually, and 50% using a wide variety of different point solutions. Only 15% use a centralised systems management tool.

The perceived value of IT to the organisation
However, the study does reveal some more positive results, with as many as 82% of IT professionals believing the IT department is valued by the organisation, and 41% of these saying their work is valued a lot. However, there are stark differences between vertical sectors. Perceived value is high within education (88%), manufacturing and engineering (84%) and financial services 83%, but this is a marked contrast to those working in local government (67%) and transport and travel (68%).

Phil Sansom, Vice President UK Sales, Kaseya comments: “IT professionals are keen to deliver more strategic projects that benefit their organisation, but are caught up with managing increasingly complex infrastructures and carrying out day to day tasks to keep the IT cogs turning.  Faced with staffing issues, dispersed locations and ever-demanding end users, it’s no wonder that driving efficiencies into the IT department is a key goal. However, by adopting a more centralised approach to IT systems management, using automated processes and remote control, IT teams can take care of key tasks and processes so they can save valuable time and money to focus on the bigger projects.”

The Kaseya report, Understanding the Business of IT, presents the findings of a survey of 550 IT professionals, alongside the results of two focus groups with private and public sector IT managers.  It provides analysis of the research and offers practical advice and recommendations to help IT departments adopt technologies that will deliver boosted efficiency and productivity. 

Download the research report at http://www.itsurvey.eu/thebusinessofit.