Author: Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.

TP-Link Expands AI-Driven Mesh WiFi 6 Range with New Deco X50

TP-Link®, a leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, today announces the launch of the all-new Deco X50, its latest AI-driven Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System, in the UK.

Smart WiFi with Super Speeds

This sleek Mesh router provides AX3000 Dual Band WiFi to bring super-fast WiFi speeds up to 3.0 Gbps to the home. With WiFi 6 technology, the Deco X50 is designed to deliver a huge boost in coverage, speeds and total capacity that powers stable and lag-free internet connectivity for over 150 devices simultaneously. Equipped with 4 Streams (2×2/HE160 2402 Mbps + 2×2 574 Mbps) and 3× Gigabit ports, the router provides sufficient connectivity and a boost in seamless coverage up to 4,500 ft2 (2-pack) to blanket homes in fast and reliable WiFi connections.

Armed with AI-Driven Mesh, Deco X50 delivers smart WiFi that follows users, without interruption. Its advanced algorithms account for the factors that affect home WiFi and are continuously optimising to ensure the Deco X50 provides high performing and reliable mesh connectivity. The router automatically and intelligently learns the network environment, client quality, and user behaviours to provide ideal WiFi unique to every home.

A Seamless and Secure Network

Equipped with TP-Link HomeShied, the Deco X50 ensures comprehensive network protection, robust parental controls, and real-time IoT protection. Using HomeShield’s kit of built-in features, users can customise their home network with enhanced security to meet the needs of their household. Whether identifying network security holes, limiting the time children spend online, or blocking websites, the Deco X50’s HomeShield gives users the tools needed to fully manage their home network with ease and peace of mind.

TP-Link Mesh enables Deco units to work together to create one unified network. Deco X50 is compatible with every other Deco model to form a flexible mesh network that can be expanded at any time by simply adding another Deco unit. Devices such as phones or tablets will automatically connect to the fastest Deco node as users move through the home, creating a frictionless and uninterrupted WiFi experience to enjoy seamless streaming at the fastest possible speeds.

With clearer and stronger signals enhanced by BSS Color and Beamforming, Deco X50 boosts broader whole home WiFi coverage with great performance. Wireless connections and optional Ethernet backhaul work together to link Deco units, providing even faster network speeds and truly seamless coverage. Meanwhile, Quality of Service (QoS) features allow users to prioritise the bandwidth needs of specific devices to get a faster networking experience.

The Deco X50 setup is made easier than ever through the bespoke Deco app that walks users through the configuration process, getting home networks up and running in minutes. The Deco app also offers a range of features that enable users to manage their WiFi at home or away, including seeing all connected devices, prioritising their own and setting up a guest network. The Deco X50 is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and can be controlled with simple voice commands to add even more convenience to the smart home.

“Modern homes require more intelligent WiFi and the Deco X50 brings the power of both WiFi 6 and AI to the whole-home network. With a router that is continuously learning and optimising, users can walk through their home and enjoy seamless streaming at the fastest possible speeds. We will continue expanding our range of smart home routers in the coming months to deliver supreme mesh WiFi that brings ultimate convenience and helps users enjoy the future network that loads faster and connects more – even as their device usage increases,” commented Will Liu, Managing Director at TP-Link UK.

For more information about the Deco X50 please visit: https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/deco-x50/.

ZHIYUN Announces CRANE-M2S – Small, strong, super-light and cost-effective camera gimbal

ZHIYUN, the world’s leading gimbal brand for filmmakers with cameras and smartphones, has launched its CRANE-M2S, its small, super-light gimbal, yet strong enough to hold various cameras, including smartphones, action-cams and mirrorless cameras.

Small Yet Strong

At just 549g, the CRANE-M2S is highly portable, just like a phone gimbal, but with the capacity to hold cameras up to the Sony A7SIII with small prime lenses. The super lightweight body is combined with stronger motors and extended axes compared to the standard CRANE-M2 series, making it a must-have for high velocity, run-and-gun filmmakers.

Intuitive & Ergonomic Design

Designed to feel completely natural in the hand during use, the CRANE-M2S features a built-in 0.66-inch display that offers real-time status and operating parameters of the camera and gimbal, giving users a convenient at-a-glance view while they shoot. Various operating modes are available in the CRANE-M2S, including Pan Follow, Follow, Lock, POV, Vortex, Go and more.

Ultra-bright Light Built -in

An ultra-bright light is built into the CRANE-M2S. Using Lumen Amplifier technology it can produce over 1000 lumens brightness within 2.8 cubic meters, ideal for capturing subjects directly in shot. With five levels of adjustability and four colour filters, it gives users more creative potential and control.

Flagship-grade Quick Release Technology

Featuring ZHIYUN’s latest quick release technology previously only used in its flagship gimbals, the V-shape design provides better working efficiency, while dual safety locks ensure the equipment always remains attached when you need it to.

Fast Charging and Camera Battery Boosting

Supporting USB PD fast charging up to 12W via its USB-C connector, a full charge time can be achieved in just 100 mins, allowing the CRANE-M2S will run for up to 10 hours*. For compatible devices, cameras can be directly connected via USB-C cable to engage direct shutter control and supply up to 5V/1A of power directly to the camera, extending its battery life.

More Cost-Effective Alternative to the CRANE-M3

The CRANE-M2S offers a more cost-effective alternative to the CRANE-M3 for those that need a lighter, more agile device and use smaller cameras and lenses, while still offering better features than the standard CRANE-M2, including a considerably longer battery life, faster charging time, ability to charge while operating while also charge cameras attached, an integrated fill light, and ZHIYUN’s Quick Release 4.0 technology.

Bag Your Gear and Go!

Available with the Combo package, ZHIYUN provides a customized bag with dedicated spaces for the CRANE-M2S to be stored and transported safely. High quality and with a spill-resistant coating, it’s an ideal partner to get you and your gear on-site, anywhere.

Pricing and Availability:

The ZHIYUN CRANE-M2S is now available at £259/USD$269, while the CRANE-M2S Combo is available for £329/USD$349 at ZHIYUN Store and Amazon.

Read more information at the ZHIYUN site and YouTube.

Dublin Tech Summit will showcase the women shaking up the tech sector. #DTS2022 #InternationalWomensDay

Dublin Tech Summit will showcase the women shaking up the tech sector, The 2022 event will feature a stellar line-up of female speakers who are changing the world of tech and paving the way for future generations of women in business.

Dublin Tech Summit  (DTS) has today announced the addition of 11 more female speakers for this year’s event. To date, 33 headlining women from across the globe have been confirmed, with many more due to be added in the coming weeks. Returning in a physical capacity this year, DTS will take place at the RDS Dublin on June 15th and 16th, 2022, and the organisers are particularly keen to showcase the outstanding female talent leading the way in the tech sector.

One of stand-out female speakers being announced today is 23-year-old Zaria Parvez, Social Media Manager at Duolingo. Zaria was the brains behind Duolingo’s recent insatiable success on social media platform TikTok, where she grew the account to over two-million followers in record time. Creating viral content on the platform, Zaria landed this impressive cohort of new followers and certainly proved her worth, without the company having to spend a fortune to achieve results. Zaria will be taking to the mainstage at DTS in June, where she will be discussing the benefits of allowing Gen Z team members to follow their innovative instincts to market to their own demographic.

Company founders, CEOs, CTOs, innovators and leaders are among the female speakers already on the list, with some more really exciting names added to coincide with International Women’s Day. At least 20 more are expected to be added in the coming weeks. Today’s full list of new female speakers is as follows:

  • Jumoke Adekunle – Global Brand Marketing Lead, Depop

  • Joan Donovan – Research Director, Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy

  • Zaria Parvez – Social Media Manager, Duolingo

  • Sinéad McSweeney – VP, Global Public Policy and Philanthropy, Twitter

  • Áine Kerr – Co-Founder and COO, Kinzen

  • Guro Bakkeng Bergan – General Manager, EMEA Fivetran

  • Yi Liu – Director of Product Management, Etsy

  • Nikki Lasley – Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Amplitude

  • Eileen O’Meara – Head of EMEA Revenue & Growth, Stripe

  • Fiona Brady – Head of Operations and Public Affairs, FREE NOW

Among some of the other female speakers announced, to date, are Cassie Kozyrkov, Chief Scientist and Founder of Decision Intelligence at Google; Michele Romanow, Serial Entrepreneur, President and Co-Founder of Clearco, and Dragon on Canada’s Dragons’ Den; and Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, CEO and Publisher, MIT Technology.

Celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, International Women’s Day aims to bring awareness for women’s equality. As part of this year’s DTS, a stellar line-up of inspirational women will pave the way for future generations of women in business and STEM industries. All across the world, International Women’s Day sparks important conversation and raises awareness of the need for equality, with DTS committed to creating a space where equality is prevalent.

According to a recent Deloitte Global study, global technology firms look set to reach nearly 33% overall female representation in their workforces during 2022. While this is a steady increase from previous years, DTS hopes that by giving women in tech a platform to share their professional stories and experiences, it will help to further accelerate this figure. The team at DTS and its speakers hope to encourage even more women to not just work in tech, but become leaders and founders.

Now in its 5th year, DTS 2022 will take place at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on June 15th and 16th. With over 8,000 registered attendees, 200 speakers, and 65 partners representing 50 countries, the event, which has taken place virtually over the past two years due to COVID, promises to be bigger and better than ever before. It will bring together the brightest tech innovators, influencers and entrepreneurs globally, highlighting the capabilities and creativity which form part of a wider tech ecosystem.

Speaking ahead of Dublin Tech Summit, Zaria Parves, Social Media Manager at Duolingo, said:

”It is an honour to be speaking this year at Dublin Tech Summit and to be given the opportunity to help pave the way for more people of colour, and indeed women in tech. A key part of my early success was simply being trusted and empowered by my employer to experiment and test new, innovative ideas. My hope is that my contribution to the conversations at this event will make more companies give junior talent a seat at the table.”

Full list of female speakers announced, to date, for Dublin Tech Summit:

  • Jumoke Adekunle – Global Brand Marketing Lead, Depop

  • Joan Donovan – Research Director, Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy

  • Zaria Parvez – Social Media Manager, Duolingo

  • Sinéad McSweeney – VP, Global Public Policy and Philanthropy, Twitter

  • Áine Kerr – Co-Founder and COO, Kinzen

  • Guro Bakkeng Bergan – General Manager EMEA, Fivetran

  • Yi Liu – Director of Product Management, Etsy

  • Riya Mehta – Researcher and Activist

  • Cassie Kozyrkov – Chief Decision Scientist, Google

  • Michele Romanow – Co-Founder and President, Clearco, and Dragon, CBC Dragons’ Den

  • Tatyana Mamut – SVP of New Products, Pendo

  • Tala Al Jabri – Managing Director, SRMG

  • Erin Platts – Head of EMEA and President of the UK Branch, Silicon Valley Bank

  • Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau – CEO and Publisher, MIT Technology

  • Jillian Godsil – Co-Founder, Blockleaders.io

  • Rashmi Gopinath – General Partner, BCapital

  • Neivia Justa – Culture, Inclusion and Diversity Senior Leader, UnitedHealth Group

  • Sara Brooks – VP of Sales, Pleo

  • Olivia Nottebohm – CRO, Notion

  • Nayaki Nayyar – President and Chief Product Officer, Ivanti

  • Michelle You – CEO and Co-Founder, Supercritical

  • Christine Bejerasco – CTO, F-Secure

  • Janet Adams – COO, SingularityNET

  • Alisha Arora – Youth Change Maker

  • Joëlle Barthel –  Director of Brand Marketing, Flo Health Inc

  • Dorothy Creaven – VP, Managing Director and site lead, Rent the Runway

  • Dr. Michelle He – COO and Co-Founder, Fintern

  • Elise Zelechowski – Global Head of DEI, Sustainability and Social Change, Thoughtworks

  • Nikki Lasley – Head of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Amplitude

  • Eileen O’Meara – Head of EMEA Revenue & Growth, Stripe

  • Nikki Lasley – Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Amplitude

  • Eileen O’Meara – Head of EMEA Revenue & Growth, Stripe

  • Fiona Brady – Head of Operations and Public Affairs, FREE NOW

Dóttir Sports-focused Headphones Celebrates Women on International Women’s Day

Female-owned brand Dóttir is celebrating International Women’s Day with a one-day sale on their sports-focused Freedom On-Grid true wireless headphones, which launched late last year. Katrin Davidsdottir and Annie Thorisdottir, native Icelanders and CrossFit competitors, friends and business partners prove that women can support each other in each endeavor no matter the stakes. After both have received the title of “World’s Fittest Woman” consecutively at the CrossFit Games Women’s Championship, Katrin and Annie are an inspiration to countless women around the world. Their goal with Dóttir was to create a pair of dependable headphones that allow athletes to train freely without distraction or disruption. 

“We have been looking for an earphone to withstand the demands of our training schedule for some time. We haven’t found one yet that has the battery life, waterproofing or fit that complements our training style and so we decided to design and launch our own. Dóttir Freedom On Grid has all the features and considerations that we feel will complement anyone who is active, no matter what your sport,” comments Katrin and Annie.

Dóttir Freedom On-Grid earphones are available in White or Ash Grey featuring Active Noise Canceling technology, a fully waterproof construction and an ergonomic, wraparound design that ensures the headphone stays in place with a total playtime of up to 72 hours and a wireless charging case that provides up to five additional charges. The headphones will be available for 15% off on March 8th only, from  www.dottiraudio.com, priced originally at $150.00 USD MSRP. 

 

 

Make your mark on Formula 1 in the officially licensed F1 Manager 2022 from Frontier

Frontier Developments plc have just unveiled F1® Manager 2022, their major new management simulation game coming this summer. Following a licensing agreement signed in early 2020 with F1®, Frontier is creating a major new game franchise to join a successful portfolio which includes Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Jurassic World Evolution 1 & 2 and Planet Zoo. The F1® Manager franchise will be Frontier’s first foray into an annual sports license, as part of a long term, multi-title agreement with F1®. F1® Manager 2022 will launch in summer 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5, Xbox One, PlayStation® 4, Steam and the Epic Store.

Step into the shoes of a team principal and lead your drivers, engineers and fans to glory in the 2022 FIA Formula 1 ® Drivers’ World Championship and FIA Formula 1 ® Constructors’ World Championship. With unparalleled authenticity and broadcast-quality presentation, F1® Manager 2022 delivers a challenging experience for new and die-hard F1® fans alike, while showcasing the intricacies of the world’s most prestigious racing brand.

Ross Brawn, Managing Director – Motorsports, Formula 1®, said, “It’s great to see F1 Manager 2022 take shape and for people to see this exciting title come to life. I know from personal experience that leading a team can be challenging, but it’s certainly rewarding. The F1 Manager franchise is a great opportunity for fans to put themselves in the shoes of a team principal and experience some of that for themselves. I am confident that with their own successful track record in management gaming, Frontier will deliver an enjoyable and engaging experience for fans.”

The first entry in this exciting series of games will invite players and F1® fans to own every aspect of leading a team to victory, upgrading cars and race facilities, hiring drivers and engineers, balancing budgets and driver demands, all before the race weekend kicks into gear. Once the race gets underway, stay calm under pressure and make critical decisions as you manage your team to victory.

Game Director Andy Fletcher, said, “There’s never been a better time to be a Formula 1 fan, and we’re excited to deliver a new way for F1 fans to immerse themselves in the biggest racing spectacle in the world. F1 Manager 2022 will deliver an experience for both new and long-term fans that is as authentic as it is exciting. Our commitment to the ever-changing world of Formula 1 will build a strong foundation for a long and special series that will evolve over time.”

Frontier CEO and founder, David Braben, said, “We are delighted to partner with the great team at Formula 1. We’ve been working closely with them to deliver a truly authentic experience, and they have provided us with extensive access to all aspects of the sport to enable us to do this. We feel this is the start of something special – we’re looking forward to bringing F1 Manager 2022 to players in summer 2022.”

F1® Manager 2022 will launch in summer 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5, Xbox One, PlayStation® 4, Steam and Epic Store. The game is available to wishlist on Steam now and on the Epic Game Store, here: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/f1-manager-2022.

What is a Digital Marketplace: A Short Introduction

The global pandemic helped to turn our lives into a digital world much faster. The growth of digital marketplaces escalated immediately. Digital marketplaces help drive ecommerce. The data marketplace concept is also getting more and more popular among companies as they see the huge benefits and opportunities that these types of marketplaces provide.

According to a McKinsey & Company report, before the pandemic, the top 100 online marketplaces made up half of the global sales with $2 trillion. And Statista reports that by 2024, ecommerce will account for more than $6 US billion dollars in sales. 

The definition of the digital marketplace

Digital marketplaces are online platforms that provide a safe virtual environment for both buyers and sellers, offering their services or products. Thanks to digital marketplaces, buyers are able to quickly and easily find the needed people who provide products meeting their budget and requirements.

It takes several years for digital marketplaces to build up their reputation. Key aspects in building a successful marketplace include having a clear strategy, vision, and the right buyers or sellers.

For instance, a platform that aims to sell 3D models must attract skilled 3D designers and artists to offer their creations, while also targeting a niche market of buyers who have an interest in purchasing 3D assets. By fostering a community of talented creators and enthusiastic buyers, the digital marketplace can establish itself as a go-to destination for high-quality 3D models, ensuring its long-term success and growth in the competitive market.

Types and examples of digital marketplaces 

The number of digital marketplaces will only grow, and the demand for such platforms will increase over the next few years. The marketplace business, serving customer-centric goals, is complex. However, it offers numerous opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here are different types of marketplaces and the markets they serve:

 

  1. Business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplaces. This is considered to be one of the most saturated categories with huge competition. Great examples of B2C marketplaces include the ecommerce giant Amazon. There are also many niche B2C marketplaces, which are focused on certain categories like electronics, apparel, and home improvement.
  2. Business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces. B2B marketplaces offer sheer monetary potential and are more niche as well as vertical industry-focused. The most famous examples of B2B marketplaces include Alibaba and Amazon Business.
  3. Peer-to-peer (P2P) or consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplaces. Marketplaces like eBay, TaoBao, Etsy, and Airbnb have a unique feature — consumers here are both sellers and buyers. 
  4. Consumer-to-manufacturer (C2M) or consumer-to-business (C2B) marketplaces. The biggest example of such a marketplace is PinDuoDuo. In just a few years, the C2M model has gained a 4% share of the global ecommerce business and is projected to expand beyond China. 
  5. Service-to-consumer (Se2C) marketplaces. This is a growth category with numerous local examples like HomeAdvisor in the United States, UrbanClap in India, and hipages in Australia. 

The role of AI tools in digital marketplaces

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an essential part of many industries, including e-commerce. Digital marketplaces are no exception, as they utilize AI tools to enhance the user experience and improve marketplace operations. You can discover and compare the most popular AI tools available online at Arktan and similar trusted websites and see which AI tools work best for your business needs. Some common ways in which AI is used in digital marketplaces include customer segmentation, personalized recommendations, predictive analytics, and fraud detection.
AI tools can also help automate certain tasks for marketplace owners and sellers. For example, chatbots can handle customer inquiries and provide 24/7 support without human intervention. This helps to improve response times and overall customer satisfaction.

In addition to improving the user experience, AI tools also help digital marketplaces to gain insights and make data-driven decisions. By analyzing user behavior, marketplace owners can identify trends, understand customer preferences, and optimize their platform accordingly.

There are also data marketplaces with an online transactional architecture. These facilitate data sharing and enable data monetization. Data marketplaces leverage relevant data and offer several kinds of data to reveal new revenue opportunities and save valuable company resources.

Any organization can build this type of marketplace using various data products, including queries, reports, data services, APIs, ML models, and more. 

Opportunities that digital marketplaces provide

Many successful marketplaces offer a wide variety of advantages and opportunities for users. The main benefits of digital marketplaces include:

Access to advanced analytics. Using sophisticated analytics to analyze the competition and adjust marketing campaigns, pricing, and offers is very useful. Data allows you to drive certain product lines, optimize business processes, ramp up manufacturing, and improve operations. By doing so you can meet demand and gain more profit and better outcomes.

Personalization. Digital marketplaces offer advanced AI-based technologies and tools to personalize the customer experience and better engage with clients. Through most of the marketplaces available, sellers can build long-term one-on-one relationships with their buyers.

Post-sales support. This is an important aspect of the overall customer experience. And as marketplaces are focused on customer experience and satisfaction, they provide the needed tools for post-sales support. This helps sellers build long-term customer relationships and develop lifelong fans. And this all is managed by the marketplace operator.

Global reach. Digital marketplaces allow their users to reach international sellers, buyers, and partners. In a global economy, businesses can have a huge reach with global marketplaces, providing services and products to people that wouldn’t be able to reach through local marketplaces. This helps to boost revenue and get much more opportunities than with local marketplaces. 

Marketplaces, specifically data marketplaces, involve data monetization, allowing businesses to generate economic value from their target organizations.

Not all types of marketplaces offer all these advantages, but still knowing these may help potential sellers or buyers when they’re considering using a digital marketplace. It’s also worth mentioning that each type of marketplace has its unique challenges regarding payments, financing, logistics, and fulfillment needs. 

Conclusion

Digital marketplaces will grow even more throughout the years. And as data gets more used by various businesses, demand for data marketplaces in the data economy will increase tremendously. 

 

With all advantages and opportunities like personalization, global reach, and sophisticated analytics, digital marketplaces offer to their users, it’s safe to say that they will play a great role in the future of business.

Almost half (48%) of Irish office workers believe the pandemic has improved job opportunities

Auxilion, a leading provider of digitally transformative IT services and solutions, today announces the results of a survey* which reveals that almost half (48%) of Irish office workers believe the pandemic has improved job opportunities.

The survey – conducted by Censuswide and involving around 1,000 office workers in Ireland – also found that over a fifth (22%) of respondents started and finished a job during the pandemic.

The top reason respondents left their last job was because a better opportunity arose (32%). The other main drivers were cited as insufficient salary (29%), wanting a change (28%) and poor management (26%).

When it comes to retention, the research found that 27% of respondents disagree[1] their organisation is good at retaining staff. Despite this, some 67% said[2] they are satisfied in their current job and 65% feel motivated in their current job. Furthermore, 61% of workers see[3] themselves working for their current company long-term.

In terms of what makes office workers want to stay in a role, salary (73%) ranked highest. This was followed by good company benefits such as annual leave and pension (59%), fair treatment (51%), team/colleague relations (48%) and a positive culture (47%).

Fifty-one per cent of respondents actually went one step further and said they would relocate for a pay increase in a role. Meanwhile, only 26% would relocate for a full-time office role.

Hybrid working certainly seems to be a key priority, with 54% of respondents wanting a hybrid working model after the pandemic. In fact, a quarter (25%) of respondents said they would leave their current job if their employer expected them to work in the office full-time.

While job opportunities seem to be on the rise, other forms of employment appear to have fallen out of favour. The research showed that 68% of those surveyed said their organisation does not offer an apprenticeship programme, and only around a third (36%) say their company offers graduate programmes.

Niamh Cray, Head of People and Talent at Auxilion, said: “It’s clear from the research that it’s an employee’s world right now. The expectations of workers are high and have changed dramatically because of the pandemic. The job landscape has also completely opened up and is even more fluid than before.

 “For people, this presents a wealth of opportunities and overcomes many barriers that existed before, with many workers able (and eager) to work effectively from wherever they are. On the other hand, it presents a challenge for many businesses.

 “If companies want to retain staff, they will have to move with the times. That means enabling staff with technologies and tools that allow them to be productive and collaborate. It also means taking a hybrid approach and understanding that the modern worker wants to be both appreciated and empowered.”

Over half of Irish businesses say IT skills shortages are negatively impacting plans

Expleo, a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider, today announces the results of new research, which found that IT skills shortages are negatively impacting the business plans of more than half (56%) of Irish enterprises. The research is published in Expleo’s Business Transformation Index 2022 Ireland report, which is launched today.

The global research, which included a survey of 111 business and IT leaders in Ireland, found that 77% of respondents report that talent shortages are a top barrier to digital transformation. In fact, more than two-thirds (67%) say they lack the internal skills and experience to manage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality and virtual reality. Many believe this will have a far-reaching impact, with the same proportion (67%) of respondents saying that skills shortages are hindering Ireland’s ability to build its digital economy.

The survey also revealed the roles that enterprises in Ireland find the most difficult to fill and retain. Expleo’s research found that the most challenging, cited by some 82% of businesses, are development roles, followed closely by IT leadership and management positions (81%). A significant proportion (63%) of business leaders believe that development and DevOps talent is in critically short supply.

To solve their tech skills shortages in the short-term, half of Irish enterprises will outsource more functions and roles to third parties or consultants, while 44% will invest in staff training and 43% plan to avail of temporary or contract workers. Despite these efforts, some 65% of business leaders believe that organisations have underinvested in the skills base of employees.

In response to continued staffing issues and the greater demand from employees for flexible working, 54% of businesses in Ireland have now formalised a ‘hybrid working’ approach. Almost half (48%), meanwhile, have introduced a flexible location policy – allowing employees to work from anywhere. However, 33% of leaders stated that maintaining employee motivation and camaraderie has become more difficult due to remote working. And just 22% of business and IT leaders see hiring people from more diverse backgrounds as a long-term solution to skills shortages – compared to an average of 33% in other markets surveyed.

Phil Codd, Managing Director, Expleo Ireland, said: “We are delighted to share the findings of our Business Transformation Index 2022, which will provide valuable insights into the digital evolution of the Irish businesses landscape over the last year.

 “Although there has been a significant acceleration in digital transformation due to the pandemic, ongoing skills shortages are hindering many organisations in embracing new digital technologies. At a time when Ireland should be displaying its digital leadership, our business leaders and innovators are saying that the skills shortages have gotten so bad that it is negatively impacting our digital economy. It is crucial that businesses invest in both their internal and external teams to overcome this challenge. Many enterprises are now outsourcing certain roles in order to get quick and convenient access to a wider skills and knowledge base. As the battle for the best customer experience escalates across all sectors, we expect this trend to continue throughout 2022.

 “The competitive recruitment market has pushed employers to formalise flexible working arrangements and think about how they can create a working culture that will attract the best talent. Organisations that don’t see diversity as part of the solution will find that they lack the diversity of thought that their competitors benefit from, as well as the inclusive environment that will make people stay with them long-term.

“We are seeing that instead of taking the focus away from workforces, the rise of digital is in fact putting greater emphasis on the humans who make it work.”

Burn out and pressures of family life cause 40% of Irish women to consider quitting their job – Indeed research

More than a third of women (40%) have considered quitting their job in the last 12 months, citing burn out and the pressures of family life as the reasons for thinking about leaving the workforce. These are findings in research conducted in Ireland by jobs site Indeed, published on the eve of International Women’s Day on 8th March.

Feeling burnt out was the most common reason (33%) cited for considering leaving a job, particularly for women in older age cohorts – 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 years old – where 55% felt they needed a break. The second highest reason cited (22%) was that it had become too hard to balance work and home responsibilities. The work/life balance issue was particularly felt by the cohort of women most likely to have young children – aged 35-44 – with 37% of this group finding juggling career and family responsibilities too difficult.

The majority of both men (79%) and women (68%) felt that there was equal pay in their workplace, regardless of gender. However a significant proportion of female respondents (30%) felt men were generally paid more at their company, compared to just 17% of male respondents. Irish employers will soon be obliged to publish information showing the gender pay gap in their business, following the passing of the Gender Pay Gap Information Act last year.

The majority of women (56%) also believe that their employer should be doing more to help them in their career, compared to 38% of men. The most important forms of allyship to help women in the workplace that women cited were: calling out discrimination (24%); providing education on the challenges women face in the workplace (20%); and being an advocate for female career development (18%).

On a positive note, women were more optimistic than men about their future earnings, with 82% of women surveyed saying they expect to be earning more in five years’ time, a view shared by 71% of men surveyed.

Glenda Kirby is vice president of client success at Indeed and heads up Women at Indeed, the company’s internal platform for female inclusion. Commenting on the research she said:

“The findings are a reminder of the specific challenges women still face in the workplace. Particularly striking are the high numbers of women considering leaving the workforce due to lack of support, which emphasises how vital it is for employers to do more to create a working environment that is supportive. The research highlights how important it is for women to hear their employer advocating for female career development and making sure discrimination is called out and addressed. Having a seat at the table isn’t enough if workers don’t feel like they belong there.”

Jack Kennedy, Economist at Indeed added:

“In addition to being the right thing to do, in a tight labour market it is companies that demonstrate they are taking a lead on diversity issues who will stand out in attracting new talent. With the acceptance of working from home and more flexible working arrangements employers should seize the opportunity to showcase that they are genuinely committed to creating an environment that is supportive of women and prioritises a proper work/life balance.”