Firms look to cloud for new generation of workers

Michael Russell

Kiwi businesses need to factor into their technology upgrades the increased number of millennial workers wanting more workplace flexibility, say Tauranga IT specialists.

Michael Russell, chief executive of Tauranga IT solutions company Origin, says the demographics of the New Zealand workforce are rapidly evolving, and by 2020 almost half of all employees will be millennials - ie, those who have grown up with the internet.

"This group expects to be mobile and able to work from anywhere at any time," he said.

"Recent studies have shown a third of millennials put more value on social media freedom, device flexibility and work mobility than on salary. Millennials like to have the flexibility to work from wherever suits, and access content from multiple devices such as iPads and smartphones, which means low-cost laptops that store data on the cloud will suit them better than a full desktop set-up that ties them to a certain location."

Barry Hardy, director of specialist Auckland-based IT recruitment company Amara, said the key transition he had seen in 15 years of working in the sector was the move towards candidates seeking an environment where they could be creative and flexible.

"When candidates look for new roles, what comes into play are the tools of the trade, the flexibility around using the technology, and the robustness of the technology," he said.

"This segment of the candidate base is more aware than many of the people hiring them about these issues. When companies look to a technology upgrade they tend to look at their peer group, when they should be considering creating a think tank to look at desired outcomes."

Jo Allum, co-founder of Tauranga's Venture Centre, said New Zealand businesses urgently needed to upgrade enabling platforms to cloud and mobile platforms.

"Many of the start-ups engaged with the Venture Centre Startupkit and Instigator programmes are working on the digitisation of business processes and creating applications that can be used in the field by an ever-increasingly mobile workforce," she said.

"They've identified there is a significant need for businesses' operations to accommodate not just customers, but future-focused workforces, with cloud and mobile applications."