Survey confirms that UK plc needs to embrace benefits of IT

Its survey reveals an apparent disconnect between senior management, IT departments and the employees of companies – showing that although 64% of senior managers see IT as strategic, one fifth view it merely as a necessary evil. In addition, researchers found that only 45% of senior managers have a good understanding of the IT function. "The problem is exacerbated," says Natalie Booth, event director for 360°IT, "by the fact that just 20% of senior managers admit to involving their IT peers in the decision making process of their businesses, and only a third try to understand the role of IT." She points to one "ray of hope" from the survey, which also suggests that nearly half (48%) of senior managers view the IT department as part of their business, while 44% see IT as a contributor to the success of their business. "The survey shows that senior managers can easily give their organisations a significant competitive advantage by embracing new technology, as just 11% of senior managers claim to be IT savvy," says Booth. "They also need to embrace advice from their IT colleagues, as just 31% turn to IT for help and advice, and 29% of IT professionals say their users turn to them only to complain, presumably when things go wrong," she adds.