Monday Morning Impact – August 19
CompTIA: New Tech Employment Data Reflects Broader Slowdown in US Hiring
Hiring activity in the technology sector and the broader tech workforce took a step back in July, mirroring national labor market data that revealed a slowdown in job growth, according to analysis by CompTIA, a suburban Chicago-based trade association.
The tech industry shed an estimated 9,162 jobs last month, according to CompTIA’s analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Companies in the tech services and software development sector added an estimated 4,000 workers, which was offset with losses in telecommunications, cloud infrastructure and related sub-sectors. The total base of US tech industry employment stands at approximately 5.6 million workers.
Across the entire economy, tech occupations declined by 14,000 positions. The unemployment rate for tech occupations edged down to 3.2% in July, compared with the national unemployment rate, which climbed to 4.3%.
“Although disappointing, the slowdown in hiring is about in line with expectations,” said Tim Herbert, chief research officer, CompTIA. “Employers continue to weigh a range of factors in shorter term tech hiring while eyeing longer term growth strategies.”
Active employer job postings for tech positions totaled more than 471,000 last month, including 176,324 categorized as new postings added in July. Demand was strongest for software developers and engineers, IT project managers, data analysts and scientists and tech support specialists, though totals in all occupation categories were down for the month.
The data indicates employers continue to focus on skills-based hiring. For the month 46% of active tech job postings did not specify a four-year degree requirement among candidates. Several key occupations recorded even higher percentages, including network support specialists (87%), IT support specialists (72%), network and systems administrators (52%) and database administrators (50%).
Channel Impact®
The data reflect a broad sentiment of staff reductions across the industry.
Hitachi Vantara Rolls Out New AI Discovery Service
Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., has launched initial offerings of the Hitachi iQ portfolio of AI-ready infrastructure, solutions, and services. Including NVIDIA DGX BasePOD certification, the first Hitachi iQ infrastructure offering intended to help customers power critical AI applications.
“NVIDIA DGX BasePOD certification not only tells you that this solution has met rigorous standards for reliability and performance, but it also represents a significant upgrade to handle the extensive bandwidth and speed required by today’s networks,” said Octavian Tanase, chief product officer of Hitachi Vantara.
Hitachi Vantara’s new AI Discovery Service is designed to help customers identify the most valuable AI use cases, assess their data readiness, determine ROI, and create a strategic roadmap for successful AI implementation. Customers can select between a range of AI consultative services from a Discovery program that can last as little as three weeks, to an Advisory and Jumpstart program up to 12 weeks, featuring a technology assessment, proof of concept scoping, and production planning.
“AI solutions require a combination of tools, technologies, platforms, and frameworks that facilitate model development, deployment, and management,” said Jeb Horton, senior vice president of Global Services at Hitachi Vantara. “By combining the industry expertise of Hitachi and Hitachi group company partners such as GlobalLogic with the Hitachi iQ solutions portfolio, the company offers a unique blend of infrastructure and services capabilities to provide the market with customized, industry-specific tools.”
“Organizations across industries are looking to build the right AI platform that will help them turn their data into intelligence,” said Tony Paikeday, senior director of DGX systems at NVIDIA. “The combination of solutions built on NVIDIA’s DGX platform and software, coupled with Hitachi Vantara’s expertise in AI discovery and planning, will help provide customers with a foundation to turbocharge their generative AI capabilities.”
Channel Impact®
By identifying the most valuable AI use cases, Hitachi Vantara is hoping to help partners and their customers create a strategic roadmap for successful AI implementation.
Darktrace Introduces New Global Partner Program
Darktrace, Cambridge, UK-based company focused on cybersecurity AI, has introduced its new global partner program, featuring three tiers – Elite, Premier, and Preferred.
The program offers specialized role-based training and enablement to partners at no cost, including both web-based and instructor-led training followed by validation that partners authorized in the program have met the necessary standard of product knowledge with certified individuals on staff.
Partners will have access to Darktrace-specific technical sales tools, including demos and product trials, with training and support from Darktrace technical and cyber intelligence experts. Partners will also be eligible to receive a range of price advantages for deal registration and varying discounts on fees associated with Darktrace certification tests and not-for-resale solutions, as well as support for joint marketing initiatives.
“We have made several strategic investments over the last year to transform how we go-to-market with the global partner community to drive deeper collaboration and long-term, sustained growth,” said Denise Walter, Chief Revenue Officer at Darktrace. “With the introduction of the Darktrace Defenders Partner Program, alongside our investments in people and technology to support the program, we are poised to accelerate and drive joint success with our partners.”
Darktrace has tripled the size of its team across key functions such as sales operations, marketing and technical partner enablement, and put in place new systems and technology to better support partners, including a new partner portal.
The program is geared toward a variety of channel models, including value-added resellers, global systems integrators, managed security service providers, distributors, and consulting organizations.
Channel Impact®
The program is designed to encourage deeper collaboration, empower partners, and help organizations improve cyber resilience with the Darktrace ActiveAI Security Platform and related products.
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