An analyst’s view...
Solutions Group (TSG) Deutschland agrees that the enterprise side, in particular
the outsourcing solutions side, can be rewarding. “We had a solid growth of
outsourcing Services in FY09, with a good mix of large and small deals. One
We asked Saverio Romero, expert on mobile and telecommunications and
example is Commerzbank, Germany’s second-largest bank, which outsourced
ICT at analysts Frost and Sullivan, for his thoughts on the German market:
to HP the management of 33,000 workstations and 12,000 printers as part of a
The German mobile communication market is the top market in Europe five-year information technology services deal.”
“
in terms of population and number of subscribers. Frost & Sullivan Outsourcing and cost pressures in the last few years have produced seismic
research shows that the mobile penetration in Germany was 118% at changes within the German IT industry regarding systems management. Edlund
the close of 2007. Despite this, the market continues to grow, as a recent believes that companies used to manage their IT along with technical metrics
report by the national regulatory authority, BNA, shows. The call minutes have like availability, bandwidth and I/O, but that things have now changed. “IT
grown by 20% during 2007 reaching a total of 11 billion. The market is also executives now define themselves as managers of business services, and thus
moving fast towards next generation mobile networks, mainly Universal Mobile focus on business metrics and end-user experience. This implies a big switch in
Telecommunications System (UMTS). Based on the BNA report, there were 8.7 the approach to the management of both internal and external IT resources:
million (UMTS) users in Germany at the close of 2007. This means an UMTS companies have to link the technical infrastructure and metrics with the
penetration of 10.6%. The number of UMTS users has grown dramatically: 263% business processes, services and users.”
in the period 2005-2007. There has been previous commentary across Europe concerning a shortage
The fixed communication market is also growing fast. At the close of 2007, of skilled staff, and the question divides those working within German-based
households with broadband connection were at 50%, while enterprises were enterprises. O’Neill at Forrester believes that high standards have created a
at 80%. During 2007, some five million new household broadband connections shortage. “As everywhere else in Europe the German IT market is also affected
were registered. This growth is promoting the use of the Internet among the by a shortage of IT professionals, perhaps as entry requirements for university
German population: at the close of 2007, 64% of Germans used the Internet IT degrees are very strict. This is why many companies have decided to
at least once a week. As in the mobile space, German users are looking for outsource their workforce from eastern Europe.”
advanced applications on fixed communications. For example, at the close of Dirk Krause at Pixelpark agrees that there aren’t enough staff appropriate
2007, there were 3.9 million VoIP active users as reported by BNA. for them. “There is still a lack of qualified staff in those areas covered by
Germany represents a country evolving towards a fast-connected society the Pixelpark group. Pixelpark attempts to counteract by in-house training.
where many daily activities are performed in the digital space. The German Currently we train 20 apprentices in various professions.”
government is promoting this vision with the eGovernment 2.0 framework, Patrick Edlund of HP believes that there is a genuine shortage of
developed in compliance with the European Union i2010 framework with the employees: “At the moment, it is not easy to find enough of the qualified
basic idea that the Internet shall become the major distribution channel for employees which we need especially in consulting and sales. This challenge will
public administration services, health services, transport services and business continue during 2008.”
services. The framework highlights that this can happen with wireless and wired Rene Hermes, though, believes it is a “good market” with a large enough
fast connections and the adoption of innovative solutions and technologies workforce. “There were no major challenges in building up a workforce,” says
such as VoIP, RFID, and sensor wireless networks. Hermes. “Our company is based in Munich, and benefits from being near the
Over the next few years, we will see a fully fast connected German society. Ludwig-Maximillians-University. In general, people in Germany are very well
The usage of mobile high speed networks will grow and not only UMTS, educated with a high enough number of skilled people.”
but also HSDPA/HUSPA and other 4G technologies. This infrastructure will SAP’s MD Volker Merk (opposite page) can talk about staffing from an
promote the large adoption of innovative services such as e-cards for health enviably strong position as an employer: “We continue to find - and hire
services and mobile solutions for telematics.” www.frost.com - highly qualified personnel in Germany, although the competition for high
20 18 APR 2008
It0807 - 18-21_GERMANY_Ent.indd 20 2008-04-16 11:00
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