Downturn in economy continued its impact on storage teams in 2009!

We have just completed the Managing Storage - Trends, Challenges, and Options 2010-2011 study. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey we carried out in Jan-Feb this year. The complete paper will be made available to you next week (after it's formally presented at EMC World on Wed 12 May).

One of several key data points highlighted by this study is the magnitude of impact the economic down-turn has on storage professionals and their functions. When asked in 2009 beginning, nearly 45% of the managers felt that they are adequately staffed and skilled. And, when the same question was asked in Jan-2010, only 33% felt that they are well positioned. The number of managers who feel that their teams need more skills as they have taken on broader responsibilities increased from 48% to 56% year over year.

The most severe impact was faced by 11% of the managers (companies) who have to reskill their entire team as a result of reorganizations, reductions etc. This is up from 7% last year.

I sincerely hope that when we reach out to these large number of IT/Storage Managers and Professionals next year, we will see this trend reverse.