Recruiting For The Enterprise Systems Group

Introduction

The evolving landscape of enterprise technology demands specialized teams capable of managing complex IT ecosystems while driving innovation and efficiency. Enterprise Systems Groups have emerged as critical organizational units responsible for aligning technology infrastructure with business objectives. This report explores the essential considerations, strategies, and best practices for recruiting talented professionals to build effective Enterprise Systems Groups in today’s rapidly evolving technological environment.

Understanding Enterprise Systems Groups and Their Core Functions

Enterprise Systems Groups represent specialized organizational units that manage and coordinate enterprise-wide information technology systems supporting business processes across functional boundaries. These groups play a crucial role in aligning IT infrastructure with business requirements to deliver efficiencies, optimize resources, and enable innovation. As organizations increasingly depend on integrated technological solutions to maintain competitive advantage, Enterprise Systems Groups have become essential components of modern corporate structures.

The core responsibilities of Enterprise Systems Groups include data center management, which involves overseeing the operation and optimization of data center infrastructure. They also handle transformation management, guiding organizations through technological transitions and upgrades while minimizing disruption to business operations. Additionally, these groups provide service management, focusing on delivering high-quality IT services that meet business needs through established service level agreements and continuous improvement processes.

Resource optimization represents another key function, as Enterprise Systems Groups work to maximize the value derived from technology investments by managing IT assets, allocating resources effectively, and identifying opportunities for consolidation. This comprehensive approach to IT management addresses the entire ecosystem of enterprise applications, data centers, networks, and security infrastructure.

Key Technologies Under Management

Enterprise Systems Groups typically oversee a diverse portfolio of technologies. At the foundation is enterprise resource planning (ERP), which provides the integrated management of main business processes in real time. ERP systems track business resources-cash, raw materials, production capacity-and the status of business commitments: orders, purchase orders, and payroll. They enable information flow between business functions and manage connections to outside stakeholders.

Beyond ERP, these groups manage various business enterprise software solutions, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, Supply Chain Management (SCM) platforms, and Human Capital Management (HCM) tools1. Together, these enterprise computing solutions form the technological backbone that powers organizational operations and strategic initiatives.

Essential Roles in Enterprise Systems Groups

Business Technologists

Business technologists represent a critical role within Enterprise Systems Groups. These professionals combine business acumen with a deep understanding of technology, serving as a bridge between business objectives and technical implementation. Their expertise spans technology strategy, digital transformation, software development, data analysis, and IT project management.

The benefits of including business technologists in your Enterprise Systems Group include:

Bridging the gap between business and technology by understanding both business objectives and technical capabilities
Driving innovation through emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, or cloud computing
Enabling data-driven decision-making through analytics tools and techniques
Enhancing organizational agility and adaptability to changing market conditions

Citizen Developers

Citizen developers represent another valuable addition to Enterprise Systems Groups. According to the Project Management Institute, a citizen developer is “someone who can build applications without coding knowledge, but usually with the support of IT”. These business process experts build back-office workflows without extensive coding knowledge, using platforms sanctioned and supported by IT.

The rise of low-code platforms has enabled citizen developers to thrive within Enterprise Systems Groups. These platforms allow non-technical users to create applications through visual interfaces and pre-built components rather than traditional programming. This capability helps organizations develop solutions more rapidly, become more efficient, and meet customers where they are, while maintaining appropriate governance and avoiding “shadow IT”.

Technology Trends Influencing Enterprise Systems Recruitment

AI Integration in Enterprise Systems

AI Enterprise solutions are dramatically reshaping how Enterprise Systems Groups operate. Organizations can now innovate at speed with compliant open-source AI – from workstations to clouds and smart devices. This integration enables teams to run their entire AI/ML lifecycle on a single integrated stack and develop at all scales with the same software provider.

AI assistance has become a critical capability for enterprise teams. AI assistants can boost efficiency, productivity, and creativity among teams as the “intelligent virtual assistants” market accelerates toward a projected value of $22.45 billion by 2033. When recruiting for Enterprise Systems Groups, look for candidates familiar with implementing and managing AI assistants that can connect seamlessly with existing tools, from CRMs to ERP systems.

AI application generators represent another transformative technology. Tools like Jotform’s AI App Generator enable users to design customized apps for business, collect data, and streamline processes without coding requirements. These solutions reduce go-to-market time, enabling organizations to create mobile apps quickly and focus on more important tasks.

Low-Code Development and Citizen Development

The emergence of enterprise low-code application platforms has changed how organizations approach software development. Platforms like Mendix, Salesforce, and Pega empower both professional developers and citizen developers to build business-critical applications. When recruiting for Enterprise Systems Groups, seek candidates with experience in these platforms who can help implement citizen development programs within your organization.

Effective citizen development programs empower business units to develop apps that respond to nuanced needs quickly. This approach starts with executive buy-in, spurs collaboration, and fosters a culture of innovation and growth, all with appropriate governance. By enabling citizen developers, organizations can speed up traditional development timelines while reducing IT backlogs.

Security and Compliance Considerations

Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) has become increasingly important for Enterprise Systems Groups. An SBOM provides a comprehensive inventory of all components that make up a piece of software, including libraries, packages, modules, and code from open-source, third-party, and proprietary elements. When recruiting security specialists for your Enterprise Systems Group, look for candidates with experience implementing and managing SBOMs.

The benefits of SBOM expertise include enhanced vulnerability management, improved compliance and risk management, facilitated software supply chain security, and streamlined patch management. This comprehensive approach to software inventory is essential for modern Enterprise Systems Groups managing complex technology environments.

Building a Comprehensive Recruitment Strategy

Aligning with Enterprise Business Architecture

Enterprise business architecture provides a comprehensive framework for connecting a company’s strategic, structural, informational, technological, and operational resilience elements. When recruiting for Enterprise Systems Groups, evaluate candidates’ understanding of how their role contributes to the broader enterprise business architecture.

Effective Enterprise Systems Groups implement solutions that align with the organization’s business architecture, ensuring that technology investments support strategic goals. Look for candidates who understand that enterprise business architecture is designed to provide decision-makers with an architecture that supports organizational goals through identifying, analyzing, and mapping business components.

Technology Transfer Capabilities

Technology transfer-the process of transferring technology from the person or organization that owns it to another person or organization-is increasingly important for Enterprise Systems Groups. When building your team, seek professionals who understand how to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer between innovation stakeholders.

Effective technology transfer plays a crucial role in connecting innovation stakeholders and moving inventions from creators to public and private users. This capability helps Enterprise Systems Groups implement new technologies more effectively and ensures that knowledge is shared appropriately across the organization.

Specialized Recruitment Partners

Consider partnering with specialized recruiters who understand the enterprise systems landscape. Firms like LaSalle Network connect businesses with professionals who optimize, maintain, and secure enterprise technology environments. Their recruiters specialize in roles such as business systems analysts, HRIS analysts, Salesforce system administrators, and experts in SAP consulting, Microsoft Dynamics software, system integration, and IT service management.

When leveraging recruitment partners, look for those with a deep understanding of complex tech stacks and evolving business needs, as they can help organizations build enterprise systems teams that enhance operations and drive efficiency from day one.

Conclusion

Recruiting for Enterprise Systems Groups requires a strategic approach that balances technical expertise with business acumen. As these groups manage increasingly complex technology ecosystems, the need for specialized talent continues to grow. By understanding the core functions, essential roles, and emerging trends in enterprise systems, organizations can build teams capable of driving digital transformation and delivering business value through technology.

Successful Enterprise Systems Groups integrate business technologists, citizen developers, and specialized technical experts who collectively manage enterprise products and business software solutions. As AI, low-code platforms, and open-source solutions continue to reshape the enterprise technology landscape, recruiting strategies must evolve to identify candidates with the skills and mindset needed to navigate this changing environment.

By aligning recruitment with enterprise business architecture, emphasizing technology transfer capabilities, and leveraging specialized recruitment partners, organizations can build Enterprise Systems Groups that not only maintain critical systems but also drive innovation and strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.