Welcome to a future as a service (Part 2)
In the first installment of this series, we examined how the pandemic accelerated the shift to remote working solutions. We also highlighted the importance of utilizing data to understand both employee and customer needs, allowing forward-thinking companies to adapt and grow along with the evolving market. In this second installment, we will discuss the sustainability challenges that companies face in an effort to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced marketplace.
Sustainability inside and out
Delivering technology is no longer enough. With the challenges presented by climate change and the global carbon emission reduction goals of staying within a +1.5°C temperature rise by the end of the century, all eyes are turning to the IT sector to come to grips with what it means to be sustainable. Sustainable technology involves many aspects, which are becoming critical for companies, investors, consumers and regulators. Gartner expects that by 2025, 50% of CIOs will have performance metrics tied to the sustainability of how they run their IT.
This poses a highly challenging and burning question: “How can IT services become more sustainable?”
From energy consumption to ethical outsourcing and circularity, IT leaders should examine every aspect of their operations in an attempt to reduce their Scope 2 and Scope 3 carbon footprint. Sustainability performance is rapidly becoming a decision factor, since companies are expected to include the environmental impact of their suppliers and partners in their reporting.
Technologies like cloud computing, traceability, analytics, emissions management software and AI can all help address the problem of sustainability.
New trends on the block
Let’s face it: Keeping up with the latest IT trends is a full-time job. We don’t expect our clients to know exactly how virtual reality, blockchain, AI automation, cybersecurity mesh, or Web3 will impact their bottom line in coming years. That’s our job as a technology partner.
In a constantly changing landscape, finding the right partners is critical. IT spending is monitored mainly in terms of infrastructure and solutions. But amidst the Great Resignation (the elevated rate of workers who resigned from their jobs starting in early 2021), many enterprises lack the skilled workforce to implement, develop and sustain efficient operations.
It costs a lot of money for companies to hire and train the right people to take care of their IT. Even if CIOs have established their position in the corporate hierarchy, it doesn’t necessarily translate into increased hiring for IT teams.
The rapid pace of change and the difficulty that enterprises have managing everything in-house puts MSPs at the center of the equation more than ever. Tailoring is key. The rise of cloud-based services has mainly been driven by their scalability and the virtually risk-free opportunity they represent. However, this landscape is difficult to navigate.
Today’s enterprises need made-to-measure services, and partners that understand and translate their present and future needs — acting as a beacon in an uncertain world.
The companies that will thrive in this new era will upskill their people in new technologies. This should go beyond offering skills training to meet the needs of the clients, but providing real learning opportunities that enhance ways of working, advance careers and open up new opportunities within the business.
The world is changing, and every organization should focus on helping its people and the ecosystem built around them adapt to these changes. It is a unique time for everybody, and each organization will adapt in its own way. At Atos, we strive to remain constantly curious, learn new skills and find new ways to deliver value to our entire ecosystem – our clients, our partners and our employees.
Posted on: June 2, 2023
Adam Lewis
Technology Services General Manager, Atos Benelux & Nordics
Member, Atos Research Community
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