Tech-savvy employees are changing the role of the IT manager and taking trouble-shooting into their own hands, according to new research.
In a survey of 1,500 British office workers, by G3 Comms, less than half said they go to the IT department for help resolving technical problems.
It found that many employees are struggling with older tech, causing UK office workers to lose, on average, 14 hours a month waiting for a work communication technology problems to get resolved.
Connectivity (68%), system crashes (44%) and signal problems (43%) were the three biggest problems reported.
>See also: Why IT departments must become frictionless or lose relevance
As smartphones, tablets and a growing number of apps continue to impact the way people work, employers and IT departments face challenges in balancing demand for the latest technologies with shrinking budgets.
The right mix, however, can have a positive influence – with the research showing that 62% of office workers use their mobiles at their desks instead of their desk phones, and 17% staying connected through them even on holiday.
‘The role of the IT manager is very much alive and well, however the priorities have evolved away from purely technical to take on a more strategic direction,’ said Adam Young, sales and marketing director at G3 Comms. ‘IT managers now have a direct influence on a business’s growth.’
