IT / Digital / Web

The IT / Digital sector is booming more than ever. Companies of all shapes and sizes, whether they are pure players, startups, software companies or consulting agencies, are involved. Internet is at the core of the industry’s success, continuously revolutionizing all sectors of the economy and requiring experts on the subject, both in front office (website creation and maintenance, social media management, e-commerce interface) and back office (development of features, innovations and platform optimization). According to a recent study, hiring in this industry is soaring and salaries will increase by an average 2.8% in 2017. Some sectors are picking up digitalization with more energy and proactiveness than others: the retail, healthcare, manufacturing and corporate service industries are leading in this transition. On a global scale, the advent of the Internet has fostered the creation of functions such as web manager or digital transition consultant.

Expert profiles

The digitalization of most industries has generated a strong need for new staff with highly specialized skills (programmers, engineers or technicians proficient in front and back office) in all companies. There is great demand for computer programmers, system/network administrators as well as project managers. Candidates with an academic background, whether at an engineering school (specializing in Computer Science, System, Applied Mathematics or System Information Architecture) or public university (Masters’ Degree) are highly sought after. They are expected to have an acute sense of communication and customer relations and to be able to advance to managerial positions. In the digital field, the most prized roles are Chief Digital Officer, Product Owner and Data Analyst. To accompany a firm’s digital transition, skills must include agility, the ability to communicate with other functions, but also a perfect understanding of business, marketing and IT implications. The digital training offer is rising, whether it be in university courses (Masters’ Degrees in Digital Strategy or Digital & Business Development) or private training courses (Digital Academy, Digital Campas, and many more).

Main functions:

• Service Delivery Manager
• Key Account Manager
• Bid Manager
• Web Developer
• Project Manager
• Business Developer

Software as a Service

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a vibrant industry and a major driver for growth for the economy, both in France and worldwide.

This industry is also essential to innovation and R&D.

Software vendors are in charge of designing, developing and commercializing enterprise software (packaged software). They may externalize implementation, integration and customization to a computer service firm.

SaaS can be divided into two categories: “horizontal” or “infrastructure” software, and “vertical” or “application” software. Vertical software may be enterprise-wide, integrated software (ERP) but also function-specific (HR, Finance, Production, Logistics, CRM, etc.) or industry-specific (Retail, Banking, Insurance…). Some solution providers specialize in certain types of clients or business sizes (very small enterprises, SMEs, mid-caps, big accounts).

Although France does have a couple of frontrunners, the industry remains largely dominated by English-speaking countries. Many French software vendors are in fact commercialization branches (sales, customer service, support, customer relations), while strategy and R&D are conducted in another country.