Inspired by Nature, This Calming Color Complements Classic Decor

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 4moms®, the makers of innovative baby gear, today introduced the 4moms Birch Collection – a brand-new muted tone that is now available on the MamaRoo Baby Swing and Breeze Plus Playard.  Birch is the natural choice for parents who are looking for classic and calming colors to complement their home. Starting today, 4moms customers can purchase the new collection exclusively at 4moms.com, Babylist, Amazon, Target and specialty retailers.

The Birch Collection includes:

4moms MamaRoo Baby Swing
The multi-motion baby swing that more than 2 million consumers have come to know and love. Inspired by parents and caregivers, the MamaRoo’s motions mimic parents’ natural rhythms and movements.  SRP: $269.99.

4moms Breeze Plus Playard
With its “one push open, one pull close” functionality, this thoughtfully designed combination playard, bassinet, and flip changer is the ultimate in flexibility when it comes to baby care. SRP: $299.99.

“The 4moms Birch Collection is available on the same must-have MamaRoo Baby Swing and Breeze Plus Playard that millions of consumers have come to know and love, but now in a classic and calming natural tone that will complement anyone’s home,” explains Gary Waters, 4moms CEO.

About 4moms
4moms® has transformed the baby gear industry by leveraging technology and user-centered design to create dramatically better products, like the 4moms MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing® that replicates the bouncing and swaying motions parents make when comforting their babies, the 4moms Breeze® Playard that opens or closes in one simple step, the 4moms MamaRoo Sleep® Bassinet, which uses unique motions to help baby fall asleep and stay asleep longer, and the 4moms® Connect High Chair®, which uses magnetic technology to make mealtime easier. The company, founded in 2005 and based in Pittsburgh, Penn, currently sells its products at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, select specialty retailers, 4moms.com and 58 countries across the world.

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SOURCE 4moms

Info-Tech Research Group’s IT Talent Trends 2025 report details critical shifts in workforce dynamics, including the growing influence of generative AI, escalating skill shortages, and the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling. Based on survey data, the report reveals that 76% of IT managers are facing increased stress, 23% of respondents view the CEO position as the logical next step for CIOs, and 66% of IT employees see generative AI as the path to greater autonomy. The research insights in the newly released report will equip leaders with the understanding of how best to enhance talent retention, address the employee experience gap, and navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with rapid technological evolution.

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Info-Tech Research Group, one of the leading global IT research and advisory firms, has released its annual IT Talent Trends report. IT Talent Trends 2025 provides a data-driven analysis of the shifting dynamics in IT talent management. The report examines how generative AI, evolving skills demands, and workforce restructuring are reshaping the IT landscape and provides leaders with actionable strategies to tackle these challenges while considering how to foster innovation and employee experience in 2025.

“With 89% of IT structures undergoing some form of a redesign in 2025, we are going to see the way we lead, leverage IT skills, and deliver against emerging capabilities change rapidly,” says Brittany Lutes, research director and lead author of the report. “The IT Talent Trends 2025 report offers valuable insights and practical strategies to help leaders address workforce challenges, support employee growth, and adapt to the exponentially changing IT landscape.”

The IT Talent Trends 2025 report is based on a survey of over 500 IT professionals conducted online by Info-Tech in partnership with Centiment between April and May 2024. Respondents, primarily from the United States, Canada, and Australia, not only provided responses on their IT structures, the future of IT leadership, and their own employee experiences but also insight into how generative AI will reshape their work.

Info-Tech’s findings reveal the growing urgency for organizations to adapt to shifting workforce dynamics. With 42% of IT professionals actively or passively seeking new roles, often citing work-life balance and having a good manager as their main concerns, the firm advises that organizations must focus on retaining all IT talent while also identifying the obstacles.

“What is most notable is the divide we saw between those who are entering the workforce and representative of Gen Z employees versus those nearing the end of their careers,” says Lutes. “Gen Z is more likely to think that skills need to change to support the future we are driving toward and more likely to believe their tasks can be taken over by AI. These findings highlight the urgent need for IT leaders to evolve their talent management strategies to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.”

Demand for security, cloud, and AI professionals, coupled with the growing need to leverage organizationally embedded IT, is reshaping workforce planning and driving the need for adaptive and forward-thinking strategies.

“The integration of generative AI, combined with reskilling initiatives, provides organizations with a unique opportunity to bridge skill gaps and foster a culture of innovation,” explains Lutes. “However, achieving success requires thoughtful planning – aligning AI-driven strategies with workforce empowerment and collaboration beyond just a skills-based hiring approach.”

The IT Talent Trends 2025 report identifies five key trends shaping IT talent management:

Generative AI: A Transformative Enabler
The firm reports that by 2030, 66% of IT employees anticipate greater autonomy in their roles, enabled by generative AI. This shift has the potential to significantly enhance IT’s value creation for organizations, as employees will be able to dedicate more time to strategic initiatives and innovation. However, to capitalize on this potential, Info-Tech cautions that organizations need to proactively implement AI tools thoughtfully and strategically, investing in upskilling programs to equip IT professionals with the necessary skills to leverage AI effectively. This type of approach is critical given that 65% of organizations anticipate structural changes as a result of incorporating generative AI into their strategies, indicating the transformative impact this technology is expected to have on IT departments.Restructuring IT Organizations for the Future
While 55% of respondents believe their current IT structures are effective for today, 89% recognize the need to redesign their IT organization to future-proof their operations and better align with evolving business demands. These findings suggest that while current IT structures may be functioning adequately for now, IT leaders are proactively anticipating future challenges and recognizing the need to adapt to stay ahead of the curve. Key drivers include critical skills shortages, generative AI integration, and the rise of business-led IT functions, requiring both technical and cultural adjustments. These adjustments may consist of establishing specialized AI teams, integrating IT functions more closely with business units, or adopting more agile and flexible operating models to accommodate evolving demands. The shift away from traditional, rigid pyramid hierarchies toward flatter, more dynamic structures is becoming increasingly necessary to support innovation and adaptability. This wave of restructuring is expected to have a significant impact on the IT talent landscape, leading to the increased need for specialized skills, a shift in required competencies for IT leaders, and a greater focus on attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.Skills Gap and the Urgency of Reskilling
A significant 95% of survey respondents acknowledge that some, most, or all of their current IT skills will need to change by 2030 to keep pace with the exponentially evolving technology environment. This finding emphasizes the pressing need for continuous reskilling, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and AI/ML, which 38% of leaders identified as critical for 2025. While this data highlights a widespread recognition of the need for upskilling, a concerning 51% believe that only some skills require updating, indicating a potential underestimation of the scale of transformation occurring in the IT industry. According to Info-Tech’s research, organizations that fail to invest in developing their IT workforce risk being left behind in terms of innovation and efficiency. Dependence on external resources to address internal skills gaps may become increasingly unviable, making internal reskilling efforts essential.Bridging the Employee Experience Disconnect
While 86% of IT leaders indicate they are prioritizing improving the employee experience (EX), their efforts may be misdirected, as 39% of IT employees reveal that reliable digital tools and technology have the greatest impact on their experience. Organizations are performing well in areas like physical space and social relationships but are falling behind when it comes to the impactful areas IT employees care about, like digital and culture. This disconnect underscores the need for organizations to align EX investments with employee expectations, particularly in hybrid and remote work environments where seamless digital experiences are critical for productivity and job satisfaction. Given the increasing adoption of flexible work arrangements, in 2025, organizations must prioritize providing a user-friendly, efficient, and reliable digital experience for their employees to enhance engagement and optimize performance.CIOs on the Path to CEO
As technology increasingly becomes central to business strategy, 23% of respondents view the CEO position as the logical next step for CIOs, which is a reflection of the evolving prominence of CIOs in organizations, with many already reporting directly to the CEO. However, this transition requires CIOs to expand their leadership capabilities beyond technical expertise, including developing stronger strategic and business acumen. While 23% see it as a natural progression, only 11% of respondents indicated that a CEO or a senior executive role was their ultimate career goal. Another 13% aspire to other C-suite roles, including some positions that are emerging or don’t yet exist, suggesting that the future of leadership in organizations may look quite different from traditional structures, with technology expertise playing a vital role in a range of new leadership positions over the coming years.

Key Research Insights From Info-Tech’s IT Talent Trends 2025 Report:

Generative AI Impact: 65% of organizations anticipate structural changes due to generative AI, including the formation of specialized AI teams.Stress Among IT Leaders: 76% of IT managers report moderate or increasing stress levels, underscoring the need for enhanced leadership support and resources.Hiring Difficulties: 36% of IT organizations reported that infrastructure and operations roles were the most difficult to hire for, calling attention to the cloud talent shortage – another critical area of IT.Embedded IT Growth: The rise of business-led IT is evident, with organizations nearly doubling the amount of embedded IT they leverage (18% in 2024 and up to 33% in 2025). This indicates that business units are actively using their own resources to address IT-related needs – with or without IT knowledge.Generational Differences in AI Perceptions: Generational divides exist in perceptions of AI, with Gen Z employees estimating a higher percentage of their tasks being completed by AI in 2030 (56%) compared to Baby Boomers (43%) and Generation X (41%).

According to Info-Tech’s findings in the recently published report, success in 2025 and beyond hinges on IT leaders’ ability to combine technological innovation with strategic foresight and human-centric leadership. By integrating AI capabilities, investing in reskilling programs, and fostering employee-centric policies, Info-Tech advises that organizations can address talent gaps and create adaptive, resilient workforces. A holistic approach to workforce transformation will empower IT departments to thrive in the face of rapid technological change and secure a lasting competitive edge.

The firm will also be hosting an upcoming webinar on January 15, 2025, where Info-Tech’s experts will explore the report’s findings and actionable strategies. Register today to join the conversation and gain exclusive insights: IT Talent Trends 2025 Webinar.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s findings and recommended strategies for addressing IT talent challenges, download the IT Talent Trends 2025 report.

For media inquiries or interview requests with Brittany Lutes, lead author of the 2025 report and an expert on IT talent trends, please contact pr@infotech.com. 

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights. 

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Akima, a premier provider of products and services to the federal government, has been awarded the 2025 Military Friendly® designation. This recognition underscores Akima’s commitment to supporting veterans’ transitions into the civilian workforce. G.I. Jobs® magazine will feature Akima in the 2025 Military Friendly® Employers section of its Winter issue and on www.militaryfriendly.com.

“The ‘Military Friendly’ label is more than just a designation—it’s a promise,” said Bill Monet, Akima President & CEO. “This promise is backed by Akima’s actionable veteran hiring initiatives, such as tailored onboarding programs to address the challenges veterans face during their career transitions after military service. We are proud to receive this designation and to provide veterans with meaningful, rewarding career opportunities, reflecting our gratitude and honoring their service in a tangible way.”

The Military Friendly® designation is granted to companies that demonstrate exceptional dedication to recruiting, hiring, and training former military personnel.

“Organizations earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation the have wholeheartedly invested in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that bring about positive, life-changing results for our valued service members, dedicated military spouses, and esteemed veterans within their ranks,” said Kayla Lopez, senior director of partnerships at Military Friendly®. “We salute these exemplary employers who raise the bar and understand that hiring military personnel is not merely an act of goodwill but a testament to a standard that truly embodies sound business wisdom. Their commitment to integrating military personnel into their workforce not only reflects their compassion but also underscores their business acumen.”

One of the most immediate hurdles for veterans when re-entering the workforce is securing stable and meaningful employment. Despite possessing a wealth of skills and experience, many veterans struggle to translate their military credentials into qualifications recognized by civilian employers. Vocational training programs and employment initiatives are expanding, but significant gaps persist, leaving many veterans facing economic instability.

Over 26% of employees at Akima are veterans, and 42% of its active contracts are with the U.S. military. Akima also plays a crucial role as a partner in the Defense Department’s SkillBridge Program. This initiative aims to equip service members who leave the military with critical skills and hands-on training essential for thriving in the civilian workforce.

At Akima, veterans currently hold positions across various sectors, including as security officers, intel analysts, cybersecurity experts, cloud architects, aircraft mechanics, and engineering technicians. Akima also provides mentorship with experienced veterans, community engagement through veteran-focused events around the U.S., career development resources for continuous learning, and internal networks for mutual support among veteran employees.

Institutions earning the 22nd annual Military Friendly® Employers designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over twelve hundred companies participated in the Military Friendly® survey. VIQTORY determined methodology, criteria and weightings with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score with an assessment of the organization’s ability to meet thresholds for recruitment, new hire retention, employee turnover, and the promotion and advancement of veterans and military employees.

About Akima
Akima is a global enterprise with 10,000 employees, delivering solutions to the federal government in the core areas of information technology; facilities & ground logistics; aerospace solutions; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by more than 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, Akima’s core mission is to enable superior outcomes for our customers’ missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for NANA consistent with our Iñupiat values. In 2024, Akima ranked #29 on Washington Technology’s Top 100 list of government contractors. To learn more about Akima, visit www.akima.com.

About Military Friendly® Employers
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,800 organizations compete annually for Military Friendly® designation annually. Military Friendly® ratings are owned by Viqtory, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Viqtory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/mfcguide/.

About VIQTORY
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service disabled, veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its owned assets such as Military Spouse Magazine®, Vetrepreneur®, G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

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SOURCE Akima