SolarWinds Survey Reveals UK IT Pros Are Engaged, Friendly and

SolarWinds Survey Reveals UK IT Pros Are Engaged, Friendly and Loyal Employees

Study of UK-Based Systems and Network Administrators Uncovers Overarching Similarities on the Job

CORK, IRELAND -- (Marketwire) -- 01/09/13 -- SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI), a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today released results of a survey of network administrators, the second part of a comprehensive survey which last month announced findings for systems administrators. The results show a striking similarity between both groups in job satisfaction and optimism, experience and loyalty, as well as how they like to spend their free time and even their favorite video games and geek TV shows. The survey also uncovered some on-the-job differences between the groups.

These results are part of a wide-ranging survey of 400 UK-based systems administrators (sysadmins) and 400 UK-based network administrators (netadmins), conducted in October 2012 to understand the IT professional in both their professional and personal lives. Despite an overwhelming majority of each group agreeing there are now more responsibilities and demands on their time, the overarching results find IT workers to be model employees: experienced, optimistic and confident in their companies, loyal and satisfied in their job roles.

 
--  High levels of overall job enjoyment: Though both groups enjoy their
    jobs, netadmins demonstrate slightly higher job satisfaction. More
    netadmins (72 percent) expressed enjoyment in their jobs compared with
    sysadmins (67 percent). Both groups felt appreciated by their
    organization with 55 percent of netadmins and 53 percent of sysadmins.
    The most enjoyable thing about their jobs? Over 70 percent of
    netadmins and sysadmins agree it's solving problems -- the top answer
    for both groups.
    
    
--  New Year's projections: System and network admins overall believe
    their 2013 budgets will likely remain flat. Thirty-nine percent of
    these IT pros expect no change from 2012. Nonetheless, both groups
    remain optimistic for the New Year: 69 percent of netadmins and 65
    percent of sysadmins agree 2013 will be a better year for their
    companies.
    
    
--  Loyalty towards and confidence in their companies: B
oth netadmins and
    sysadmins are loyal to their companies, with 43 percent of sysadmins
    and 38 percent of netadmins and having worked at their jobs for 10
    years or more or never having changed jobs. Seventy-seven percent of
    netadmins and 71 percent of sysadmins expressed that they have some
    level of trust in the senior/executive leadership of the company. The
    numbers were even higher for trust in IT leadership, with 81 percent
    of netadmins and 74 percent of sysadmins expressing some level of
    trust.
    
    
--  Feeling supported: A key shared viewpoint among both groups is that
    they feel supported and empowered to do their jobs in various ways. A
    majority of both groups feel they have adequate tools and software
    support from the organisation and ongoing training and skills
    development. Netadmins, however, receive slightly more support, with
    67 percent versus 62 percent of sysadmins saying they have adequate
    tools and software; 61 percent versus 56 percent having adequate
    organisational support; and 57 versus 50 percent having adequate
    ongoing skills training and development. However universally, most IT
    pros -- 70 percent of both groups -- feel their work is not well
    understood by others in the company.
    
    
--  Responsibility and compensation: As may be expected, netadmins have a
    wider range of responsibilities compared with their sysadmin
    counterparts. As a result, netadmins also spend more free time
    working, with 46 percent indicating they spend a "significant" amount
    of time completing tasks, compared with 44 percent of sysadmins.
    
    
--  Similar frustrations: On both sides, sysadmins and netadmins have
    similar frustrations: too little pay but too much to do and increasing
    workloads, not having enough budget and a lack of appreciation from
    the company.
    
    
--  Ambitions: In five years, 37 percent of netadmins and 30 percent of
    sysadmins see themselves as IT department head. However, only five
    percent of netadmins and four percent of sysadmins think they would
    make it as CIO. Interestingly, there is some desire between the groups
    to switch job roles: 19 percent of netadmins say they will cross over
    to systems management, while 12 percent of sysadmins say they will be
    netadmins in five years.

"Our survey reveals that IT pros are a remarkable and resilient bunch," said Kevin Thompson, President and CEO, SolarWinds. "They are unsung heroes in many companies, but they are incredibly loyal and motivated despite the scope of work they do and the demand of work on their time both on and off the job. It's essential for companies to understand what drives netadmins and sysadmins to perform and give them the support that helps make their jobs easier in order to retain these valuable employees."

As with their professional lives, network administrators and systems administrators show some remarkable similarities in their personal lives and preferences.

 
--  Personality traits: More than 50 percent of both groups say they are
    hardworking, the top personality trait chosen, closely followed by
    friendly.
    
    
--  Gadgets of choice: Respondents have indicated a preference for Android
    over iPhone for their personal smartphone, with 38 percent for the
    Google platform compared to 32 percent for Apple. An overwhelming
    majority of netadmins and sysadmins are PC users with 83 and 81
    percent respectively.
    
    
--  What they watch: The top sci-fi TV show for both groups was "Star
    Trek," followed by "The X-Files" and "The Simpsons." But on the big
    screen, "Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars" both won the top movie
    franchise spot, closely followed by "The Matrix."
    
    
--  What they drink: If they aren't working during their free time,
    netadmins and sysadmins like to enjoy a brew after work. Thirty
    percent of IT pros prefer some kind of beer to drink in their off
    time. Wine is also a favoured off-duty drink for a little under 20
    percent of respondents.
    
    
--  More similarities: Both groups list Batman as their favorite
    superhero; rock music as the genre of choice; 
and compact cars as
    current vehicles. The top three answers for what they like to do in
    their free time were the same between the two groups: 1) spending time
    with family and friends; 2) unwinding at home; and 3) surfing the
    web.

Demographically, two-thirds of both groups were male. Slightly more netadmins than sysadmins have advanced degrees, with 59 percent of netadmins having at least a bachelor's degree compared with 53 percent of sysadmins. Netadmins were also a bit more experienced, with 63 percent indicating more than 8 years of experience versus 59 percent of sysadmins.

The complete survey results can be found on SlideShare, and an infographic on the data can be found on SolarWinds' Whiteboard blog.

About SolarWinds SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI) provides powerful and affordable IT management software to customers worldwide from Fortune 500 enterprises to small businesses. In all of our market areas, our approach is consistent. We focus exclusively on IT Pros and strive to eliminate the complexity that they have been forced to accept from traditional enterprise software vendors. SolarWinds delivers on this commitment with unexpected simplicity through products that are easy to find, buy, use and maintain while providing the power to address any IT management problem on any scale. Our solutions are rooted in our deep connection to our user base, which interacts in our online community, thwack, to solve problems, share technology and best practices, and directly participate in our product development process. Learn more today at http://www.solarwinds.com/.

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Tiffany Nels Phone: 512.682.9545 pr@solarwinds.com