The role of IT in setting strategic priorities and achieving business success is growing for companies throughout the world, according to new research published by CompTIA, the non-profit association for the IT industry.
The International Technology Adoption & Workforce Issues study found that more than 75% of businesses say technology is important or very important to their success, with the majority planning solid increases in IT spending this year. Four in 10 expect to hire new IT staff in 2013.
The research is based on a survey of more than 1,250 business and IT executives in countries around the world - some with mature economies and others, maturing.
Top technology priorities for the next 12 months include cybersecurity, data storage and back-up, network infrastructure, web presence (including e-commerce) and updating aging computers and software.
Tim Herbert , VP, research, CompTIA, commented: "Emerging technologies such as cloud computing continue to see adoption gains as well.
"More than half of responding companies say they are either experimenting with or fully using cloud computing solutions."
Greater reliance on technology may prompt many businesses to increase their IT staff over the next year. Skills rated as having the greatest importance include networks and infrastructure; database and information management; storage; IT support; and server and data centre management.
Many of these positions will also require technical skills in emerging areas such as cloud computing and mobility.
IT skills gaps remain a challenge, with more than half of companies expressing concern about the quality and quantity of IT talent available for hire.
Terry Erdle , executive VP, skills certification, CompTIA, explained: "In many cases skills gaps are a natural part of the IT industry due to the speed of innovation.
"The demand for new technologies can get ahead of the supply of workers who are well trained and credentialed in those areas."
Workers and companies in most countries are responding to the need for more skills. The incidence of IT staff engaging in training over past year ranges from 72% in Japan to 97% in India and Thailand. The majority of businesses also expect IT certifications to increase in importance over the next two years.
