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Business Analyst Staffing Ratios 2016
Business analysts as a percentage of the IT staff is up for the third year in a row, and we expect that trend to continue. The business analyst serves as a bridge between the IT organization and the users he or she serves. It is a multifaceted function that is important for ensuring that IT application systems meet business objectives. In this study, we assess staffing levels for the business analyst using four metrics: business analysts as a percentage of the IT staff, business analysts as a percentage of the application group, applications per business analyst, and users per business analyst. We also present ratios by organization size and sector. (19 pp., 9 fig.) [Research Byte]
October, 2016
Business Analyst Staffing Continues Steady Climb
The percentage of IT business analysts as a percentage of the IT staff has risen for the third year in a row after this position suffered a retreat during the early part of the recovery period. In this Research Byte we review the trend in business analysts as a percentage of the IT staff.
October, 2016
Microsoft Rolls Out New Cloud Suite, Dynamics 365
Microsoft is now rolling out its ambitious, Azure-hosted Dynamics 365 business applications. The new integrated suite melds Office 365 with the company’s CRM, ERP, Power BI, Cortana, and other offerings into one cloud service with new apps to help manage specific business functions. This Research Byte provides an overview of the new offering along considerations for buyers.
October, 2016
Data Center Outsourcing Cost Success High
While the percentage of organizations outsourcing data center operations is only moderate, those that do outsource some or all of their data center generally have a successful cost experience. In this Research Byte we review the outsourcing profile for data center operations.
October, 2016
Data Center Outsourcing Trends and Customer Experience 2016
Data center outsourcing remained relatively stable over the course of the recession but now appears to be rising. As business growth resumes, IT organizations face decisions on how best to support that increased growth, including whether to upgrade infrastructure, turn to off-premises hosting service providers, or move some computing resources to the cloud. In this study, we examine data center outsourcing trends to provide IT executives with insight into how broadly and eagerly their peers are undertaking outsourcing as a data center strategy. We also examine the success rates that organizations are having with reducing cost and improving service through outsourcing the critical data center function. Finally, we show how these trends differ by organization size and sector. (17 pp., 8 fig.) [Research Byte]
October, 2016
Artificial Intelligence Is Really Just Automation
Artificial intelligence (AI) at its heart, is merely pattern recognition, appropriate for consideration by all companies today. It is time to stop thinking of AI as magic or as a technology that is beyond the reach for most companies. This Research Byte demystifies the concept of AI and machine learning, as shown in several recent AI announcements.
October, 2016
Cloud Providers Racing New Rev Rec Solutions to Market
Enterprises need to start planning for two significant new revenue recognition accounting standards. Although they may seem far in the future, they will affect multiyear contracts that companies write today. In this Research Byte, we examine the latest announcements for rev rec compliance by three cloud system providers: Intacct, FinancialForce, and NetSuite.
October, 2016
Vendor Discount Report (October 2016)
The largest and best discounts are often only offered to the vendors’ best customers, and buyers may find it difficult to determine whether the discount offered is typical or whether a better deal can be negotiated. This report is designed to give procurement personnel, lessors, lessees and departmental manager’s insight and guidance regarding current discount structures on a variety of categories of equipment in the marketplace. Includes a downloadable Excel workbook (14 pp., 21 fig.)
October, 2016
IT Quality Assurance Staffing Rises
In IT organizations, quality assurance (QA) is a well-established function that has changed little in size over the past five years or, for that matter, over the past two decades. Establishing QA is a small but vitally important requirement in every process-oriented environment.
October, 2016
IT Quality Assurance Staffing Ratios 2016
This study provides benchmarks for assessing staffing levels for quality assurance in an IT organization. In our overview, we present the trend in quality assurance staffing. We then provide three benchmarks by organization size and by sector: QA staff as a percentage of the IT staff, QA staff as a percentage of the Application Group, and applications per QA staff member. We conclude with recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the quality assurance function within the IT organization. (19pp., 8 fig.) [Research Byte]
October, 2016
IT Contingency Worker Ratio Falls Once Again
The use of contingency workers by IT organizations dropped for the third year in a row, pulling back from a substantial spike during the early stages of the recovery. This level represents a low for the last decade, and it signals changes to the contingency worker market.
October, 2016
Current Use of IT Contingency Workers
As a percentage of the IT staff, the use of contingency workers has fallen back to normal levels after a surge in their use during the recovery period. Nevertheless, the use of contractors among IT organizations remains an important and well-established strategy and one that many IT organizations employed aggressively during the recovery. This study helps IT decision-makers understand how organizations are balancing the use of contingency workers with full-time employees in the current environment. (13pp., 5 fig.) [Research Byte]
October, 2016
Big Data Analytics Not Just for the Big Guys
Big data analytics can be a highly technical subject, but as consumers we come face to face with it every day. Based on our experience as consumers, it is evident that the “big guys” know how to use big data. But what about small to midsize companies? The good news is that business analytics and even big data are becoming more readily available to smaller businesses. This is the result of three big enablers.
October, 2016
The Evolution of Airports and Key Drivers for Transformation
Major airports have evolved from being merely the beginning and end of journeys, to being an integral part of the socioeconomic engine which drives regional growth. This shift has been driven by the emergence of four forces; externalization of airport profiles, internal focus on airport operations, changes in strategic and financial drivers and increasing constraints by regulatory and law enforcement requirements.
September, 2016
IT Security Spending Becoming Top Priority
With a wide array of new threats constantly pushing IT organizations, it is no wonder that IT security is the top spending priority for most organizations. IT security spending is only a small part of the IT budget, but it has been steadily growing and will continue to do so. In this Reaserch Byte we review the changes in spending on IT security.
September, 2016