Over half of IT professionals feel infrastructure complexity has greatly affected their role in the last 3-5 years. Cloud computing is seen as the most disruptive emerging technology and the most important for investment. While most IT professionals are confident in providing strategic guidance, the majority only get occasional opportunities. To feel more empowered, around half need more training in their areas and a better understanding of the business.

1. IT Pros Survey: Australia
A look at the evolving role of IT, its drivers, needed skillsets,
and how IT pros view their roles within this “new IT” environment
Conducted by C White Consulting
November 2013
1

2. Study Overview: areas of discussion
» What are the top emerging technologies impacting/evolving
the role of IT?
» How much has increased infrastructure complexity changed
an IT pro’s roles/responsibilities within the past 3-5
years, and how will it change the role into the next 3-5 years?
» Are IT pros both prepared and empowered to provide a
higher level of business value given these identified
emerging technologies and their definition of the “new IT”?
For the purposes of this study, “infrastructure complexity” is defined as the continuously
growing, increasingly complicated nature of the infrastructure due to new technologies (such as
SDN, virtualisation, etc.) as well as the ever-increasing responsibilities placed on IT professionals
from an IT operations perspective (by supporting new service offerings such as cloud,
mobility, etc.) and business operations perspective (such as compliance)
2

3. Demographics: breakdown of survey respondents
Company Size
(number of employees)
5% 6%
25%
15%
9%
18%
16%
25-49 FTEs
50-99 FTEs
100-249 FTEs
250-499 FTEs
500-999 FTEs
1000-1499 FTEs
1500-4999 FTEs
5000+ FTEs
IT Pro’s Role
9%
13%
7%
Practitioner
39%
Manager
Director
10%
IT Consultant
29%
Other IT-related
109 IT practitioners, managers and directors in Australia from small, mid-size and enterprise companies
participated in a November 2013 online survey
3

4. Top Emerging Technologies
Evolving the Role of IT Pro
4

5. Top Emerging Technologies Evolving the Role of IT
Technology Advancement with Most Significant Business Impact in Last 3-5 Years
0%
10%
20%
30%
Compute virtualisation (server or desktop)
29%
Cloud computing
14%
19%
21%
Mobility
12%
Self-service automation
Data analytics
SDN/virtual networks
Other
34%
32%
37%
50%
#1
#2
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
29%
Enterprise
7%
7%
7%
7%
Bring Your Own ___ (BYOx) (ie BYOD, BYOA, BYOT)
Compliance
22%
25%
25%
40%
0%
5%
7%
7%
4%
4%
2%
0%
4%
4%
3%
4%
0%
11%
7%
7%
2%
0%
0%
4%
Over one-third of all IT pros surveyed indicate that compute virtualisation (server or desktop) is the technology
advancement that had the most significant impact on their business within the last 3-5 years, followed by cloud
computing and mobility. By business size (qualitatively), mid-size business IT pros indicate that mobility
(rather than cloud computing) follows compute virtualisation.
Which technological advancement had the most significant impact on your
company within the last 3-5 years? [choose only one, provided “other” fill in
blank option as well]
5

6. Top Emerging Technologies Evolving the Role of IT
Emerging Technology That Is Most Disruptive to Business
0%
10%
20%
29%
Mobility
20%
17%
15%
14%
Bring Your Own ___ (BYOx) (ie BYOD, BYOA, BYOT)
Data analytics
Compliance
Compute virtualisation (server or desktop)
Self-service automation
SDN/virtual networks
Other
7%
7%
0%
40%
25%
7%
Cloud computing
30%
11%
12%
24%
29%
27%
25%
38%
50%
#1
#2
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
Enterprise
18%
11%
18%
5%
0%
4%
7%
4%
4%
4%
4%
3%
7%
0%
2%
1%
4%
0%
0%
One-fourth of all IT pros surveyed indicate that cloud computing is the emerging technology that is most
disruptive to business (in terms of having the most significant impact on business operations as well as IT
time/energy spent). Mobility, Bring Your Own ___ (BYOx) such as device (BYOD) or application (BYOA), data
analytics, and compliance round out the top 5 overall. By business size (qualitatively), cloud computing is not in
top 3 for small business IT pros, and compliance moves to #3 on the enterprise IT pro list.
Which of the following emerging technologies is the most disruptive to your
business (in terms of having the most significant impact on business operations
as well as IT time/energy spent)? [choose only one, provided “other” fill in
6
blank option as well]

7. Top Emerging Technologies Evolving the Role of IT
Technology Investment Needed Today to Remain Competitive in Next 3-5 Years
0%
10%
20%
30%
29%
Cloud computing
Mobility
8%
11%
16%
22%
16%
12%
15%
Data analytics
21%
40%
34%
35%
36%
50%
#1
#2
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
Enterprise
10%
Compute virtualisation (server or desktop)
7%
9%
Self-service automation
8%
7%
8%
9%
Bring Your Own ___ (BYOx) (ie BYOD, BYOA, BYOT)
SDN/virtual networks
0%
6%
8%
15%
14%
6%
7%
8%
4%
Compliance
4%
4%
4%
4%
Other
2%
0%
4%
2%
Just over one-third of all IT pros surveyed indicate that cloud computing is the most important technology for
their business to invest in today in order to remain competitive for the next 3-5 years. Another 16% of all IT
pros surveyed indicate either mobility or data analytics (respectively) is that technology. By business
size (qualitatively), mid-size business IT pros feel more strongly about compute virtualisation (server or
desktop) than mobility and data analytics as far as the most important technology for their business
to invest in today to remain competitive.
In order to remain competitive for the NEXT 3-5 years, what is the most
important technology, IT service, or business operation for your company to
invest in today? [choose only one, provided “other” fill in blank option as well]
7

8. Infrastructure Complexity
& Its Impact on IT Pros
8

9. Infrastructure Complexity & Its Impact on IT Pros
Impact of Infrastructure Complexity on IT Role
in Last 3-5 Years (Overall)
1%
11% 0%
46%
43%
It has greatly affected my
role/responsibilities
10%
47%
42%
Small Business IT Pros
It has somewhat affected
my role/responsibilities
It has not affected my
role/responsibilities
Do not know
Mid-Size Business IT Pros
4% 0%
39%
57%
Enterprise IT Pros
12% 2%
35% 51%
Nearly 90% of IT professionals said infrastructure complexity has either somewhat affected or greatly affected
their role/responsibilities within the last 3-5 years. By business size (qualitatively), mid-size business IT pros
feel slightly less affected than their mid-size and enterprise IT pro constituents. And more enterprise IT pros
feel that infrastructure complexity has “greatly affected” their role/responsibilities compared with their small
business and mid-size business IT pro counterparts.
Based on the definition of “infrastructure complexity” above, how much has
increased infrastructure complexity changed your IT role/responsibilities within
the last 3-5 years? [choose only one]
9

10. Infrastructure Complexity & Its Impact on IT Pros
Length of Time Technologies Have Been Managed by IT
0%
Compute virtualisation (server or desktop)
Mobility
Compliance
10%
20%
30%
28%
17%
SDN/virtual networks
17%
10%
Data analytics
Self-service automation
4%
IT has managed <1yr
Managed in dept other than IT
Managed by MSP
27%
Do not use
31%
11%
21%
19%
6%
39%
9%
2%
100%
30%
15%
14%
3%
5%
3%
90%
IT has managed 1-3yrs
29%
21%
Bring Your Own ___ (BYOx) (ie BYOD, BYOA, BYOT)
80%
IT has managed >3yrs
12%
11%
2%
70%
46%
6%
6%
26%
Cloud computing
60%
54%
28%
14%
3%
50%
28%
6%
1%
6%
5%
1%
40%
21%
21%
20%
27%
19%
18%
17%
6%
36%
Over half (51%) of all IT departments surveyed are currently managing ALL listed technologies. Compute
virtualisation and mobility have been managed by IT the longest, with at least 46% of IT departments having
managed each technology for over 3 years. One-fifth of IT departments have managed data analytics, cloud
computing, and self-service automation for less than one year. Compliance and data analytics are each
managed by an internal department other than IT within 10% of all companies surveyed.
IT professionals are increasingly asked to take on additional responsibilities as
new technologies, IT service offerings, and business operations requirements
emerge. As a result of this increased infrastructure complexity, which
statement below best applies to each of the following technologies? [choose
10
one response per row, provided “other” fill in the blank option as well]

11. Infrastructure Complexity & Its Impact on IT Pros
IT Skills Becoming Automated within Next 3-5 Years
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Server management
Cloud or SaaS
Mobile apps/device management
8%
Database administration
12%
80%
90%
100%
#1
#2
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
Enterprise
35%
32%
24%
17%
18%
15%18%
17%
12%14%
20%
Business analytics
Information security
Other
20%
20%
19%
18%
70%
35%
24%
24%
14%
Network engineering
Project management
28%
27%
18%
Data center
Programming/Development
60%
50% 54%
50%
58%
48%
42% 46% 51%
47%
39%
54%
47%
42%
36%
46%
44%
Virtualisation
Technical support
50%
6%
0% 4%
9%
4%
0% 4%
5%
0% 4%
4%
5%
Over half of all IT pros surveyed indicate that both virtualisation and server management are the top IT
skillsets that will become automated within the next 3-5 years, followed by cloud/SaaS. Over 94% of IT pros
agree that neither programming/dev nor project management will become automated within that same time
period. By business size (qualitatively), only mid-size business IT pros deviate from the overall top 3 as
cloud/SaaS moves ahead of virtualisation, and mobile apps/device management replaces server management
as more likely to become automated within the next 3-5 years.
Which IT skills will become automated within the next 3-5 years? [choose all
that apply, provided “other” fill in blank option as well]
11

12. Infrastructure Complexity & Its Impact on IT Pros
IT Skills in Higher Demand within Next 3-5 Years
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
61%
Cloud or SaaS
Information security
Mobile apps/device management
46%
46%
27%
Virtualization
Project management
21%
23%
Data center
20%
15%
16%
18%
18% 23%
16%
16%
15%
16%
18%
12% 16%
Programming/Development
Network engineering
Technical support
4%
Database administration
Other
57%
58%
39%
0%
7%
7%
36% 39%
35%
44%
29% 34%
42%
33%
28%
35%
67%
67%
62%
64%
65%
54%
Business analytics
Server management
70%
55%
65%
80%
73%
90%
100%
#1
#2
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
Enterprise
32%
29%
11%
0% 3%
0%
5%
Three-fourths of all IT pros surveyed indicate that cloud/SaaS is the top IT skillset that will be in higher demand
within the next 3-5 years, followed by information security and business analytics. At least 84% of IT pros
agree that technical support, database administration, and server management will not be in any higher
demand over the next 3-5 years. By business size (qualitatively), small business IT pros consider a mobile
apps/device management skillset to be in higher demand than business analytics within the next 3-5 years.
Which IT skills will be in higher demand within the next 3-5 years? [choose all
that apply, provided “other” fill in blank option as well]
12

13. Infrastructure Complexity & Its Impact on IT Pros
IT Role Needing to Adapt The Most within Next 3-5 Years
0%
10%
20%
24%
Applications
15%
Systems
Data center
4%
Privacy
Database administration
Firewall
Repair
Other
50%
18%
21%
20%
40%
#2
20%
11%
10%
8%
60%
57%
70%
80%
90%
100%
#1
Overall
Small Bus
11%
4%
Network
40%
41%
Information security
Server
30%
Mid-Size Bus
Enterprise
15%
6%
4%
8%
7%
5%
11%
4%
2%
5%
0%
4%
7%
2%
0%
4%
2%
1%
0%
4%
0%
1%
0%
0%
2%
1%
0%
4%
0%
Over 40% of all IT pros surveyed indicate that information security is the IT role that will need to adapt the
most to evolving technology within the next 3-5 years. By business size (qualitatively), 57% of small business
IT pros agree, while one-fourth of mid-size IT pros feel the same. A distant second overall is the applications
role, where 18% of all IT pros feel this role will need to adapt the most to evolving technology.
Which IT role will need to adapt the most to evolving technology within the next
3-5 years? [choose only one, provided “other” fill in blank option as well]
13

14. IT Pro Preparation & Empowerment
for the “New IT” Environment
14

15. IT Pro Preparation & Empowerment for the “New IT”
IT Pro Confidence in Providing Guidance for
Strategic Business Decisions (Overall)
4% 0%
Small Business IT Pros
7% 0%
39%
54%
I am completely confident
Mid-Size Business IT Pros
4% 0%
44%
52%
I am somewhat confident
36%
I am not confident at all
Do not know
61%
Enterprise IT Pros
2% 0%
47% 51%
While 96% of all IT pros are some degree of confident that they could provide the guidance and expertise
necessary to help their company make informed, strategic business decisions with regard to emerging
technologies, just over half are completely confident in that same endeavor. By business size (qualitatively),
mid-size business IT pros appear to have higher levels of confidence compared to their counterparts.
With emerging technologies creating greater infrastructure complexity, the role
of the IT professional has become even more sophisticated. How confident are
you that you could provide the guidance and expertise necessary to help your
company make informed, strategic business decisions with regard to emerging
technologies? (for example, provide a business case (business value/impact)
15
for a new IT idea/project within your area of responsibility)? [choose only one]

16. IT Pro Preparation & Empowerment for the “New IT”
Opportunity for IT Pro to Provide Guidance
for Strategic Business Decisions (Overall)
Small Business IT Pros
18%
4%
1%
18%
61%
14%
All the Time
Mid-Size Business IT Pros
29%
15%
0%
Occassionally
35%
50%
Rarely
56%
Never
Enterprise IT Pros
0%
11%
32%
57%
Almost every IT pro (99%) is given the opportunity to provide the guidance and expertise necessary to help
their company make informed, strategic business decisions with regard to emerging technologies; however, the
majority (70%) only have the opportunity to do so “occasionally” or “rarely”.
How often are you given the opportunity to provide the guidance and expertise
necessary to help your company make informed, strategic business decisions
with regard to emerging technologies? (for example, provide a business case
(business value/impact) for a new IT idea/project within your area of
responsibility)? [choose only one]
16

17. IT Pro Preparation & Empowerment for the “New IT”
Additional Skills Needed by IT Pros in order to Feel More Empowered
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
46%
61%
I would need more training in my area(s) of responsibility
#1
38%
43%
90%
100%
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
44%
#2
32%
I would need a better understanding of the business
80%
Enterprise
54%
45%
26%
32%
I do not need anything else - I am confident I could do so today
27%
23%
10%
I would need something else
0%
Sampling of Noteworthy Open-Ended Responses for “Need
Something Else”
15% Earlier Engagement in Business Planning Process: “… better
understanding of how these [internal/external industry] forces influence
13%
business strategies”, “a better understanding of the business legal requirements
(ie regulatory or compliance issues)”, “research facts and industry benchmarks
to base the recommendations [on]”
Greater Management Support: “management actually tells us what to do
rather than seeks any advice”, “would need change of reporting relationships
and less complexity of organisational structure”
Just under half of all IT pros surveyed indicate that they would need more training in their area(s) of
responsibility in order to feel more empowered to provide the guidance and expertise necessary to help their
business make informed, strategic decisions regarding emerging technologies. And nearly as many would need
a better understanding of the business, while 26% feel they need nothing else. As business size increases, the
percentage of IT pros not needing anything else decreases. And for every small business IT pro that needs a
better understanding of the business, two small business IT pros need more training.
What else would you need to feel empowered within your organization to
provide the guidance and expertise necessary to help your business make
informed, strategic decisions regarding emerging technologies? [choose all
17
that apply, provided “other” fill in blank option as well]

18. IT Pro Preparation & Empowerment for the “New IT”
How IT Pros Define the “New IT” Environment
0%
Broader partnership/better relationship with business
10%
Accessing info from any device, anywhere, anytime
Adopting cloud/SaaS + mobility
Increased agility/adaptability to innovation
Term means nothing/buzzword
Never heard of term
30%
40%
22%
0%
27%
11%
Adopting cloud/SaaS + virtual networks/SDN
End user-driven, self-service automation
20%
5%
15%
16%
16%
36%
50%
60%
70%
#1
#2
8%
11%
12%
8%
14%
8%
5%
7%
4%
4%
11%
7%
14%
0%
7%
6%
11%
0%
7%
6%
7%
4%
5%
80%
90%
100%
Overall
Small Bus
Mid-Size Bus
Enterprise
Sampling of Noteworthy Open-Ended Responses for Top 3
Broader partnership/better relationship with business: “… involve[s]
understanding ROI, TCO, business drivers, etc. – much more business focused in order
to deliver overall value to a company”, “IT can no longer separate itself from the
business – it needs to be embedded within the business discussions and act as part of
the business …”, “completely business defined”, “helping the business rather than
managing the infrastructure and software”, “business-driven IT”, “IT as an enabler of
business capabilities and processes”, “business defined, funded and managed IT
outside of the traditional IT department”, “business requirements defining IT
requirements and not vice versa”, “business partners”, “embedded with other business
units and not as a separate discipline”
Adopting cloud/SaaS + virtual networks/SDN: “… a mixture of cloud-based
and locally hosted services, virtual”, “IT as a service”, “evolution of IT into
cloud”, “everything as a service”
Over one-fifth of all IT pros define the “New IT”
environment as a broader partnership/better
relationship with business, while another 15%
consider “New IT” as adopting
cloud/SaaS AND virtual networks/SDN.
The “New IT” is a concept that is increasingly being discussed within the IT
industry, yet no standardized definition exists today. How would you
18
define the “new IT”? [fill in blank]
End user-driver, self-service automation:
“commoditisation”, “automated, orchestrated, elastic, self-service”, “a mish-mash of
highly intelligent and eager to self-serve users with a more cloud-based
service”, “user-controlled environment rather than IT department-dictated”, “selfservice and automated systems utilizing the different aspects of virtualisation, cloud
technology, software defined networks”, “a self-managing service which is able to
provide the capacity to cater for dynamic changes in business activities by capacity on
demand”