Prediction for IT Services in 2009

I am going to go out on a limb here and make a couple of predictions as to the key things I see in IT Services in the next year.

• Lower payments to keep and gain more customers that are tightening their wallets.
  • Many companies are going to cut their budgets this year if not already. One place they always look at first is things they consider overhead, which is IT services. No need to get new servers, upgrade software or upgrade the network this year. Best to try to keep status quo or look at alternative Applications like Open Source.
  • IT Companies will need to lower their prices to keep these customers or the customers will go else where. There is a large pool of IT Talent out there that will freelance to small/medium size businesses for less then regular IT Service Company.
• Micro Work will become more popular.
  • Services like OnForce.com will become more popular. Being able to put out work orders for bidding by local IT Talent is a great option.
  • Small projects will be the way to go.
• Customer Service is going to add much needed value to IT Services.
  • IT Service Providers need to work more on their Customer Service technique and not charge more for it.
  • Techs that can be kind, courteous, and do what’s needed for the customers will be hired over and over.
  • This provides word of mouth and generated leads to other jobs.
• Open Source apps and OS’s will become more important.
  • Experience with Linux, Open Office and other Open source apps will be more needed in this next year.
• Blogging and providing free services to those that are able to follow directions.
  • Providing tips and tricks on a regular basis on a blog for customers to follow.
  • News on applications and hardware that users might be interested in.
  • Show that you are up to date on new technology and can provide step by step services for users to follow are going to be highlights in this next year.

Questions as to how important they will be in the next year:

• Certifications vs. Experience??
  • Will certifications make you more employable?
  • Which certificates will be the key skills in the next year?
  • Will customers see more need for Experience over certification?

I will try to touch on this again at the end of the 2nd Quarter.