TenHats has published the results of its third annual Business and Technology Survey, offering a firsthand look at the factors shaping technology investments, hiring strategies, and digital transformation priorities for organizations across East Tennessee in 2026.
This year’s report examines what is driving business technology decisions—and it seems companies have more resources at their disposal than ever before to automate and modernize.
Key findings include:
- 91% of companies agree that success in 2026 will depend on the capabilities of their primary IT service providers and partners.
- 94% of IT professionals agree that IT is connected to business success.
- 57% of executives reported difficulty in finding candidates with the required IT skills or certifications.
The TenHats report summarizes responses from more than 1,000 technical and non-technical professionals representing organizations of all sizes and industries. What the data makes clear is that companies have more technology available to them than ever before, but translating those tools into business results remains difficult. AI is widely used but not consistently operationalized. Cloud platforms are essential but costly to manage. Staffing gaps and specialized IT needs continue to slow progress. And as compliance requirements expand, many organizations describe being eager to modernize but unsure how to turn strategy into action. Confidence is high—but execution is the challenge.
Brian Strong, Chief Executive Officer, says, “Many companies are posting jobs for help desk support, but what they really need is a business analyst or business process person with technical capabilities. Successful IT leaders have to understand business problems.”
The 2026 report offers a deeper look at how East Tennessee organizations are navigating this shift—and where opportunities still exist to make technology work harder for the business. Download the full report to see how local companies are prioritizing spending, addressing talent gaps, and preparing for the next wave of innovation.
