Application Delivery Architects Next key Hires

Gartner Inc recently observed that more organisations have begin to deploy application delivery networks (ADNs) to mitigate limitations in business-critical applications. This will create a need for a new group of technical professionals.

ADNs are required for successful deployment of modern browser-based applications and emerging Web services applications. Enterprises should recognise that designing and managing this new network overlay requires a team of application delivery architects and engineers with unique skills. These new roles will be key to the deployment of very expensive applications and protocols.

“In many IT departments, application delivery professionals will be the first new positions for several years, and their emerging status as highly sought-after individuals will generate friction with the ‘old guard’,” said Joe Skorupa, research vice president at Gartner. “Nevertheless, IT departments that add these positions will see smoother application development and deployment, increased user satisfaction and lower costs.”

Because ADN knowledge is in short supply, Gartner says most companies will have to develop staff in-house. Although this will require investment in training and perhaps, pay grades higher than those of network engineers, it is a necessary investment. Application delivery architects and engineers can be a key to the deployment of highly expensive business-critical applications. Gartner believes that companies which employ them will realise a very positive return on investment and could achieve strategic market advantages.