JuiceIT Digital 2020 Digest | Edition 4

The 5 Things that Remain Unchanged for IT Leaders Post-COVID

Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr wrote in 1849, ‘plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose’, which, loosely translated, means “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” We’ve certainly seen evidence of this through the global pandemic, and yet among the immense upheaval, there are indeed some elements that have remained consistent. For IT leaders steadying organisations as aftershocks continue to rock the foundations, recognising these elements is every bit as important as understanding the profound changes we are experiencing.

1. Technology must be meaningful. Whether in a booming economy or in the midst of a pandemic, IT solutions are of limited value unless they help bring the organisation closer to its desired state. When our consultants and engineers look at each customer engagement, from the smallest projects to the largest, they ask a lot of questions to establish what outcome will offer the most meaning.

For example, when we worked with Wesley Mission Queensland, we weren’t there to update a network; we were there to help elderly residents connect with their grandchildren via Skype. Read the case study.

2. It pays to understand the way users work. In larger organisations, centralised IT departments can end up supporting diverse teams that work very differently. Assumptions about the way these teams work have caused the (expensive) downfall of many IT projects. Conversely, taking the time to talk with staff and learn about their daily activities has led to many efficiencies. Many of the technology licences you may already have, such as Microsoft Office 365, can be tailored to suit different groups. Our JuiceIT Digital guest presenter Darryl Clark, Director, Solution Engineering at AvePoint, hosted a highly informative session about the ways you can cut down IT burden by tailoring Office 365 to suit each department’s unique needs. Revisit Darryl’s presentation now?.

3. Build foundations ready for change. Who expected 2020 would be like this? Unless you have a crystal ball, you probably weren’t expecting to be challenged by a global pandemic and resulting recession, immediately following widespread drought and one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. While you can’t predict the future, you can certainly prepare your technology foundations to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Agility is always needed, in good times and bad. Need some ideas to boost agility? In his recent webinar, Business Aspect Head of Operations, Peter Jarrett, discussed ways to enhance your organisation’s strategic technology foundations to prepare for an agile response, whenever it’s needed. Watch the video.

4. Cyber criminals are still active. As if transitioning entire workforces to work from home wasn’t enough of a challenge, IT teams are also contending with a surge in cyber-crime. From malicious websites and fraudulent SMS messages to a deluge of phishing emails, the criminals are getting smarter, bolder, and more professional. Put on your crime-fighting cape and revisit the session delivered by Data^#3’s Security Subject Matter Expert, Logan Daley as he discusses Remote Working & Learning: Security In a New Era.

In this time of flux, it is important to take a little time out occasionally, pause for breath and check in with your team and wider network. It may feel as though the ground is shifting beneath your feet, but we are here to help you to find a steady foothold in this fast-shifting new world. Much has changed, but our commitment to our customers and partners remains the same.

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