New research from Exclaimer, the leading email signature management software, reveals that one-third (35%) of IT leaders will prioritize reducing time and resources on repetitive tasks in 2024, as nearly two-thirds (59%) claim IT support is where the majority of their time is spent.
To understand what IT leaders are prioritizing in 2024, Exclaimer partnered with global marketing research company 3Gem to survey 250 senior IT professionals – including IT managers, directors, and CTO/CIOs – across the United States to get a pulse check on the challenges that are top of mind as 2023 comes to a close and how IT leaders plan to increase efficiencies, collaboration and protect the company from potential security issues in 2024.
IT leaders challenged by new technology implementation
The survey results show that 2023’s biggest challenges for IT leaders include new technology implementation (33%), hiring and retaining top talent (33%) and a lack of collaboration across teams (30%). New technology implementation appears to have been considered more of an issue for the senior leadership, with 42% of IT directors noting it as their biggest challenge this year, highlighting the crucial need for seamless technology integration between IT leaders and third party partners in future.
Looking ahead to 2024, reducing time and resources to ensure the IT department doesn’t continue the trend of doing repetitive tasks that could likely be automated is certainly front of mind for IT leaders. Indeed over a third (35%) state this to be a key priority in 2024, alongside adopting AI technology (45%) and improving security (44%). And rightly so with nearly two-thirds (59%) of IT teams spending the majority of their time on IT support, it is quite clear that there is a need for technology or alternative support to be put in place to free up the IT department’s resources for other work.
Indeed, the immense amount of time IT leaders are spending on IT support is even more shocking given that 46% of respondents say that they are already in an advanced state of AI adoption with AI already prevalent throughout their organization. Clearly this isn’t translating into supporting some of the arguably more mundane tasks the IT team has to take on.
Automation to improve more than just work, but work/life balance
On a more promising note, it appears there is progress being made to automate some IT processes, with 49% of those surveyed having done so for over 50% of IT processes, helping to free up more time for IT departments to focus on crucial organization growth opportunities such as implementing new technologies (54%), improving work/life balance (52%), strategic planning (50%) and training and upskilling (49%).
Security front of mind, but not at the C-suite level
While security is a priority for IT leaders at large, just how important it is differs significantly across IT leadership. For IT managers, improving security in 2024 is their biggest priority (42%), yet it doesn’t even make the top three priorities amongst CTOs and CIOs, with adopting AI (63%), adopting / enhancing automation tools (45%) and reducing time and resources (42%) all considered more important to the IT C-Suite in 2024.
Vicky Wills, CTO, Exclaimer, comments: “Whilst it’s understandable that IT leaders are focusing on AI technology as a potential solution for challenges, it’s important not to overlook the security basics. Given that security is so clearly a priority for IT Managers, who are arguably taking on more execution, it’s imperative that IT leadership at the highest level – the C-Suite – do not overlook its importance in 2024.”
This is especially true given over one-third (40%) of IT leaders admit to their organizations experiencing at least two security breaches in the past year. To avoid the almost inevitable attempted breaches, IT leaders are increasing their budgets to add new security resources (62%), implementing new tools (54%), and updating current platforms and systems (46%). As technology becomes more refined, it’s important more so now than ever for organizations to take a step back and reevaluate their security measures before adverse breaches lead to real consequences.
Wills continues: “Technology will play a huge role in supporting IT leaders’ goals next year and they need to be strategic in how they implement new technology, being more cautious with how they use their time and resources to continuously meet and exceed their goals.”
###
About Exclaimer
Exclaimer is the industry’s leading provider of email signature solutions, empowering businesses to unlock the potential of email as a key digital advertising channel. With its award-winning tools, organizations can simplify the management of email signatures to deliver consistent branding, promote marketing campaigns and company news, gather real-time customer feedback, and much more.
Over 60,000 organizations in 150+ countries rely on Exclaimer for their email signature solutions. Its diverse customer base includes Sony, Mattel, Bank of America, NBC, the Government of Canada, the BBC, and the Academy Awards. For more information, visit www.exclaimer.com or follow Exclaimer on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).
About 3Gem
3Gem is a full-service agency, providing integrated research and marketing solutions to a wide range of global b2b and b2c clients, including household FMCG brands, leading financial service organisations, and media, strategic marketing & ad agencies, plus most of the top 150 PR agencies in the world.
Our global online resource of over 10 million registered panelists, in more than 44 markets, combined with our in-house capabilities of survey design, online scripting, data analysis and insight, enable us to deliver quality results quickly, and cost effectively.
Being a medium sized agency with global reach, means that we are responsive, flexible and passionate about what we do; we pride ourselves on offering a customer-focused and personable service, based on proactive project management.
3Gem researchers are MRS and ESOMAR accredited, with decades of combined market research experience. Each project is handled by a dedicated account manager and a team of skilled individuals, who have the expertise to ensure smooth running and successful delivery of timely, insightful research solutions.
