Communications of the ACM
Employers Face Shortages of Tech Gear as Coronavirus Forces Shipment Delays
Corporate technology leaders are facing shortages of laptops and other devices that enabled the sudden shift to remote work amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Credit: Wang Feng/Zuma Press
Corporate technology leaders are facing shortages of laptops and other devices that have enabled the sudden shift to remote work amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"The lead time to order new IT hardware keeps moving to the right, whether it's employee laptops, networking gear, servers or otherwise," International Business Machines Corp. Chief Information Officer Fletcher Previn said.
The coronavirus emerged late last year in the manufacturing hub of Wuhan, China, resulting in closures of some tech suppliers. But even as some manufacturers in the region come back online, surging global demand, coupled with the ripple effects of initial closures and what some analysts call a slowdown in air-based deliveries, make sourcing difficult.
Mr. Previn said he hears from customers asking if there is any way IBM can help them get access to hardware devices, laptops, phones and tablets. "Supply chains are generally kind of constrained and backed up right now," he said.
From The Wall Street Journal
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