industryopinion
Closing the talent gap starts with smarter infrastructure
While digital transformation surges forward, the workforce that supports it is falling behind, says Dahwood Ahmed, Regional
Director UK&I at Extreme Networks. Today, only 16% of executives strategy, and unless organisations take action, this gap is set to grow.
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rojections suggest that by 2027, demand for tech talent will outpace supply by two to four times, leaving nearly 4 million roles unfilled as veteran IT specialists retire. This isn’t just a
hiring headache; it can lead to business risks. It may increase exposure to cybersecurity threats, create operational bottlenecks, and slow development at a time when agility is more critical than ever. Addressing the IT talent gap starts with infrastructure that works
with your team, not against them. For too long, enterprise systems have been burdened by unnecessary complexity, siloed management, and outdated tooling, with 65% of executives saying they deploy too many resources on managing a disjointed network. So why are we still keeping applications in silos? That’s where platformisation and AI-powered networking come
in. As AI workloads grow and networks become the backbone of innovation, organisations are turning to single, centralised platforms to simplify management. By consolidating network, AI, and security functions, these platforms create a single source of truth for data and operations. Accessible, well-governed data is critical for leveraging AI effectively, and these platforms make it easier to achieve. Instead of juggling disconnected systems, IT teams can now rely
on comprehensive platforms that combine network management, security, analytics, and automation. This approach eliminates manual, repetitive tasks, enabling automation, context-aware recommendations, and unified management of users, devices, and applications across the entire network, from data to edge, through a single dashboard. AI-native capabilities like fault detection, predictive maintenance, and optimisation further reduce manual work, freeing teams to focus on higher-value, strategic initiatives. Rather than replacing talent, AI enhances it. Acting as an on-the-job
mentor, it accelerates the onboarding process and empowers junior staff to operate at a higher level. That means shorter learning curves and a reduced dependence on hard-to-source specialists. But the real value goes beyond operational efficiency. Platformisation
enables agility. It allows businesses to pivot quickly, embrace innovation, and maintain momentum even as the skills landscape shifts. For IT leaders, it ensures day-to-day operations run smoothly, but it also builds future-ready infrastructure that empowers workers and sustains transformation at scale. Unified platforms deliver end-to- end visibility, stronger security through integrated policies, and faster
24 | September/October 2025
responses to business demands, all while reducing complexity and cost. By automating routine work and simplifying complex processes, leaner teams can maintain and grow network environments, easing pressure from talent shortages and making IT more attractive to younger professionals by aligning with their skill sets.
Leadership’s role in driving change Technology may enable transformation, but it’s leadership that makes it meaningful. Business leaders must do more than deploy tools. They must lead by example and model the mindset needed to adapt, evolve, and upskill continuously. With new capabilities come new responsibilities: guiding teams through AI governance, data privacy, ethical deployment, and regulatory compliance, while building systems that are responsible, transparent, and secure. That begins with understanding the strategic potential of AI and
platformisation, both at the technical level and in terms of business impact. Leaders can’t simply sponsor AI initiatives; they need to develop their own AI literacy alongside their teams. This goes beyond awareness of trends. It means understanding how platform-based infrastructure and intelligent systems are reshaping operations, decision-making, and customer experience, and what that means for the business as a whole. This clear trend raises a critical question: if you’re a business leader
and you’re not using AI, why not? This moment should be a wake-up call for the C-Suite. AI fluency isn’t a nice-to-have anymore; it’s a baseline for credibility, competitiveness, and relevance. Leaders who understand how to integrate AI thoughtfully, keep humans in the loop, and strike the right balance between automation and accountability will be the ones who shape the future. By engaging with AI firsthand, leaders set the tone from the top.
They foster a culture where learning is valued, experimentation is encouraged, and cross-functional collaboration becomes second nature. It sends a clear message across the organisation: adapting to change isn’t optional, and everyone, including leadership, is in it together. A centralised AI-powered network is the smartest investment enterprise leaders can make right now. They do more than support existing teams; they unlock the full potential of your workforce by making technology more accessible, operations more efficient, and learning more intuitive.
www.pcr-online.biz
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