Annual global survey reveals an ambition to be ‘Tech PROactive:’ end users and up-skilling in new technologies are top priorities for public sector tech professionals

HERNDON, VA – September 18, 2018 — SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, announced today the findings of its Global Public Sector IT Pro Day 2018: A World Powered by Tech Pros survey. The results explore a world where technology professionals have the opportunity to be ‘Tech PROactive;’ in other words, what they would do if they had the time, resources, and ability to use their technology prowess to do anything—from improving IT environments, to addressing global societal challenges, and even taking care of their personal lives. The survey supports IT Professionals Day, which is observed on the third Tuesday of every September (September 18, 2018), and intends to emphasize appreciation for IT professionals, the critical role they play in end users’ lives, and in operating a successful, modern business.

“Today’s public sector technology professionals face a tremendous amount of responsibility at work, from strategic technology evaluations and IT modernization, to the more onerous tasks, such as help desk tickets and end-user requests,” said Paul Parker, chief technologist, federal and national government, SolarWinds. “As a result, they have very little time to dedicate to being Tech PROactive. This year, in recognition of the fourth annual IT Professionals Day, we asked public sector tech pros to imagine how they could improve both their work environments and personal lives with enhanced technology and more time.”

Regardless of the time of day, environment, or their physical location, technology professionals are often the unsung, solutions-based heroes. In honor of all the work they take on to help us, we want to celebrate the fourth annual IT Professionals Day by sharing insight into what inspires and interests them—including outside of the office.

Key Findings

The SolarWinds Global Public Sector IT Pro Day 2018 Survey: A World Powered by Tech Pros, explores a world where public sector technology professionals have the time, resources, and ability to use their technology prowess to do anything—from improving their IT environments, to addressing global societal challenges, and even taking care of their personal lives. In support of IT Professionals Day, global public sector technology professionals in North America and the U.K. were polled through a series of studies to provide unique insight into what a world powered by tech pros looks like.

In a world powered by technology professionals:

• End users are the top priority.
  • 75% of tech pros surveyed respond to one-off user requests on a daily basis, and over half (55%) of tech pros respond to help desk tickets daily.
  • When they do have time to be proactive at work, the number one priority for North American tech pros is researching new technologies that will benefit the end user, while U.K tech pros prioritize automating repetitive manual tasks (by weighted rank).

• Cloud computing, machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) would not only transform IT environments, but the greater good, according to respondents.

  • The top three new technology advancements that tech pros would use to solve challenges within their IT environment if they had more time would be:
    
    1. Automation (61%)
    2. Cloud (55%)
    3. AI/machine learning/deep learning (50%)
  • The top three technology advancements by weighted rank that tech pros would use to solve broader societal issues if they had more time to do so would be:
    
    1. AI/machine learning/deep learning
    2. Cloud
    3. Big data analytics

• Personal development is top of mind, but requires a time commitment outside the traditional workday.

  • The top three work-related activities that tech pros would spend their time on if they had one extra hour in the workday:
    
    • Developing their IT skillset (44%)
    • Planning/strategizing future technology innovation in the IT environment (24%)
    • Researching new technologies (16%)

• Their IT prowess would also power their personal lives.

  • The top three areas outside of work that tech pros in North America would use technology to enhance (by weighted rank):
    
    1. Home DIY projects (57%)
       
       • Such as using virtual reality (VR) to visualize a kitchen remodel before implementing changes.
    2. Managing finances (50%)
       
       • Such as using machine learning (ML) to grow investments and diversify portfolio.
    3. Vacation planning (30%)
       
       • Such as utilizing cloud-based services to store and link travel data, and using IoT-based devices to generate real-time insights while on the go.
  • The top three areas outside of work that tech pros in the U.K. would use technology to enhance (by weighted rank):
    
    1. Pursuing a new hobby (40%)
       
       • Such as watching online tutorials to improve woodworking skills or relying on cloud applications to securely share information and schedules with others in a music group.
    2. Home DIY projects (40%)
       
       • Such as relying on robotics to assist with DIY home improvement projects.
    3. Exercise/workout routine (36%)
       
       • Such as using wearable technology to improve personal mobility or motorized systems to assist with loading a kayak into a car.

“In 2017, we revealed that technology professionals are the backbone of our businesses,” said Joseph Kim, executive vice president and chief technology officer, SolarWinds. “This year, we’ve seen this trend continue, with tech pros going above and beyond their responsibilities to explore new technologies and educate themselves further. Forty-four percent of technology professionals shared that they’d continue developing their skillset if they had one more hour in the work day, and 16% shared that they’d spend it researching new technologies. We’re excited to celebrate this fourth annual IT Professionals Day by highlighting their interests—at work and at home—and their dedication to their field.”

Fielded in July 2018, the first of the two surveys was conducted by SolarWinds and yielded responses from 199 technology professionals from across the globe. The second survey was fielded by C White Consulting on behalf of SolarWinds and yielded responses from 113 IT practitioners, managers, and directors in North America and the U.K. from public-sector organizations. Full survey results for North America public sector and the U.K. public sector results are available here.

Gamers for Good

In honor of IT Pro Day, SolarWinds is proudly donating to Gamers for Good (G4G), in support of their inspiring vision. We hope you can contribute too!

Gamers for Good is a nationwide charitable organization connecting gamers with service opportunities in their area. G4G also serves as an information source, across the game industry and fandom, of ways gamers can and are giving back to those in need.

“Our mission is to serve as both an example and a resource,” said Liz Cooper, founder/president, Gamers for Good. “Donations like this are vital, allowing us to focus our efforts on helping gamers become givers.”

Visit www.gamersforgood.com for more information.

IT Professionals Day

IT Professionals Day is designed to annually celebrate all IT professionals regardless of discipline. Whereas holidays such as System Administrator Appreciation Day excel at recognizing one category of the profession, IT Professionals Day honors not only system administrators, but network engineers, database administrators, information security professionals, developers, IT support technicians, and all other professionals serving in IT-related roles. Please visit ITProDay.org to learn more.

Additional Resources

• ITProDay.org
• National Day Calendar: IT Professionals Day
• SolarWinds Establishes IT Professionals Day as Official Holiday

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For product and pricing information, and for a fully functional free trial of our products, visit the SolarWinds Government Solutions page.