The Cloud-Based Skills Gap: Keeping Pace with a Changing Environment

Cloud-based computing is normally associated with increased in-house efficiency, superior levels of redundancy and more efficient approaches to IT-based tasks. Unfortunately, this appears to be more of a myth than a reality. Recent research has found that a lack of the appropriate skills is dramatically impacting the potential ROI associated with such systems. Not only can this have a debilitating effect upon day-to-day operations, but this so-called skills gap is also making it difficult for organisations to leverage the power of the cloud to their advantage. What have statistics shown?

A Concerning Trend

The survey conducted by Rackspace in combination with Intel found that:
 

• 44 per cent of IT professionals spend more time on cloud-based services than they had anticipated.
• 39 per cent find it difficult to keep abreast of the current technological requirements.
• 49 per cent claim that less access to in-house talent is hampering ROI generation.
• 65 per cent of IT professionals feel that they lack the proper expertise.

What is perhaps even more disturbing, is that this same study observed that respondents are forced to wait an average of five weeks before filling a vacant cloud-based IT position. These findings clearly illustrate that many firms are spending entirely too much time addressing the organisational phase of cloud computing as opposed to focusing upon the appropriate innovative techniques to meet their demands. What can be done?

Outsourced Solutions

It is clear that many IT teams often lack the expertise or the hands-on knowledge that is required to address changing cloud requirements. This is the primary reason why a growing number of enterprises is choosing to outsource these needs to third-party professionals. When this approach is used in synergy with existing in-house talent, such issues can be overcome.