How IT Staff Augmentation Reduces the Skills Gap in Non-Tech Industries

Technology is becoming a part of all industries

Let’s look at the reality. Today, digital tools are common in all companies – from handling simple data recording to more sophisticated analytics. In healthcare we are facing electronic medical record implementation, in retail – automated inventory management systems, in construction – BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology.

However, even as technologies are integrated on a wide scale, employees in these industries lack the technical skills required to use new technologies effectively. This hampers productivity as well as growth. Strengthening IT teams thus comes in handy at this point.

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How increasing the size of an IT department helps companies

IT staff augmentation can be a game changer. It’s not just about the number of specialists, but also their role. Let’s look at several key aspects:

• Support for the implementation of new technologies

The IT department takes responsibility for the selection, configuration, and maintenance of software and hardware. This reduces the workload on the main staff and allows employees to focus on their core business.

• Employee training and development

IT specialists can conduct training and provide consulting support. For example, if a company implements a customer relationship management system (CRM), the IT team helps employees master the functionality and adapt it to their tasks.

• Process automation

IT specialists identify routine tasks that can be automated. This saves time and resources, and employees can focus on more important tasks.

• Data analytics

Data collection and analysis become the basis for making business decisions. The IT team can develop tools for data collection and teach employees how to use them, which increases the overall efficiency of the business.

American market: statistics and examples

The influence of IT teams is especially noticeable in the American market. A CompTIA study found that nearly 80% of U.S. employers believe that digital skills are critical to their business. However, more than 60% of companies say their employees lack digital literacy.

A case in point is Walmart, which has significantly expanded its IT department in recent years. The company implemented demand forecasting systems using artificial intelligence and trained its employees to work with new technologies. The result? Reduced warehouse losses and increased sales.

Impact on productivity

In the time when the companies are launching digital transformation, a McKinsey study states that companies which actively introduce technologies and develop the IT department can improve labor productivity by 20-30 percent during the first two years after the start of digital transformation.

In addition, a growing IT department helps to more effectively adapt to changes. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, companies with strong IT teams adapted to remote work faster and maintained productivity levels. One such example was Zoom, which was able to scale its services in a short period of time and support a sharp increase in users.

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How companies can get started

For companies that are just starting to develop their IT departments, it is important to do it right. Here are a few steps:

• Identify key areas. Analyze where exactly technology can bring the most benefit. This could be automation, analytics, or user support.
• Hire specialists. Start by finding experienced IT managers who can build a strategy.
• Invest in training. Make sure your staff is ready to work with new technologies.
• Measure results. Regularly analyze how the implementation of technology affects employee productivity and satisfaction.

Wrap up

Increasing the number of IT personnel is more than simply a solution to a technical support issue. It’s a strategic step that helps non-tech organizations close the skills gap, boost productivity, and respond to quickly changing market conditions. A robust IT staff is essential for success in today’s technology-driven company landscape. Instead of avoiding technological change, businesses should embrace it and incorporate it into their strategies, with the first step being to enhance the IT department.

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