When the world faced an unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, and lockdowns became part of day-to-day life, we collectively looked to technology to move workforces online – fundamentally transforming how we work forever.
How Covid-19 increased our reliance on technology & impacted IT departments
Companies had to change their way of working overnight, accelerating business and digital transformation instantly. On average, 37% of the UK workforce worked from home in 2020, and technology professionals and their skills were in higher demand than ever before.
The rise of the hybrid and remote work business model
Businesses across the UK and Europe were forced to move into a spaced they hadn’t previously occupied. To cope with remote working, they adapted and hired new talent, updated and upgraded systems – moving from office-based working to working from home.
Senior technology decision makers faced new challenges too: how to attract, retain and motivate their workforce during Covid-19 – and then through the Great Resignation. Post-pandemic, remote and hybrid working have only grown – take a look at the list of opportunities we have across Europe here.
IT departments & the impact of technology during the Covid-19 pandemic
During the pandemic, many organisations adapted to lockdowns and increased government restrictions. It caused a significant overhaul of business operations, with companies upgrading their systems accordingly. Business decision-makers told us that technological innovation and investment have increased, with faster digitisation and cloud migration two notable outcomes.
This dependence on technology has raised the profile of IT departments massively. In the two years after the pandemic, 75% of senior technology decision makers say their IT departments has become more important to their business – and no one has said it became less important. Similarly, over three quarters said awareness of the IT or technology department had grown since Covid-19 and 66% said that it has become more respected.
Increased reliance on digital technology – both for home working and collaborative tools – were mentioned as key reasons why awareness and respect for the IT department has increased. Expectations also increased, especially for more scalable solutions, as virtual collaboration became the ‘new normal’.
How has the pandemic increased pressure on IT departments?
With greater demand placed on IT departments, stress has increased for employees. 82% (excluding DK) of technology decision makers said that the IT department was under more pressure during the pandemic.
Despite benefits provided by remote working – more flexibility, greater collaboration across global teams named as two gains – the increased workload and stress impacted employees, with some IT departments under pressure to work 24/7.
In short, the Covid-19 pandemic, created permanent changes to industry. Four years on and the hybrid and remote working models are here to stay, and the importance of IT professionals has never been more apparent.
Digital transformation has grown at pace since then and is set to continue in the years to come. For more detailed insight into technology and the future of work, access our full report.
