Occupation intelligence

ICT application configurator

Snapshot

Are you detail-oriented and enjoy problem-solving within technology? As an ICT application configurator, you'll be the bridge between generic software and the specific needs of an organization, ensuring systems work seamlessly for users.

Summary

ICT application configurators play a crucial role in tailoring software to meet an organization's unique requirements. You’ll analyze user needs and business rules, then configure software systems—ranging from simple parameter adjustments to the creation of complex business rules, roles, and even custom modules. This involves working with Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems and documenting all configurations to ensure accuracy and maintainability. Your work directly impacts how efficiently an organization operates.

Key responsibilities
  • • Identify and document user requirements and translate them into application configurations.
  • • Configure software systems, including adjusting parameters, creating business rules, and defining user roles.
  • • Develop and configure specific modules within ICT systems, potentially including COTS solutions.
39%
Resilience Score · 2026 (Higher is better)
Bachelor's or equivalent level 52% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Labour market

Where this occupation is in demand

Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.

Shortage reportedSurplus reportedReported in another yearNot covered by this source

Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.

Figures cover Information and communications technology professionals — 75 jobs including this one.

10 of 15 in shortage2025All 30 growing3.7Mopenings to 2035

In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 6 more.

Longest-running shortage: Austria, 3 years.

Select a place on the map to see its figures.

About this source

Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.

Explore More

Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.

Guiding others? See NexPath for schools and practices.
Quick fit check

Could ICT application configurator fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Cooperation?

NexFuture™

Future Outlook for ICT application configurator

The outlook for ICT application configurator reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could ICT application configurator change as AI adoption grows?

Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 12 years (around 2038) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
~35%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP~55%
Human advantage
MOAT~40%

Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.

2026
2033
2043
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 39% Human-owned
What still depends on people
  • build business relationships
  • develop automated migration methods
The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on ICT debugging tools and integrated development environment software. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 33% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot
  • create flowchart diagram
  • debug software
  • develop software prototype
Automate 52% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation
  • collect customer feedback on applications
  • migrate existing data
  • integrate ICT data
Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs & AI Vectors

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
AI / Machine Learning 33%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Generative AI 3%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Cognitive Software 1%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v3.0 Sources: O*NET® 30.3, ESCO v1.2.1 Updated: Aug 2026

NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.

Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Digital Technology

Day in the life

A typical day as a ICT application configurator

09
09:00 · Morning
analyse software specifications
Assess the specifications of a software product or system to be developed by identifying functional and non-functional requirements, constraints and possible sets of use cases which illustrate interactions between the software and its users.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
integrate system components
Select and use integration techniques and tools to plan and implement integration of hardware and software modules and components in a system.
12
12:00 · Midday
debug software
Repair computer code by analysing testing results, locating the defects causing the software to output an incorrect or unexpected result and remove these faults.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
develop automated migration methods
Create automated transfer of ICT information between storage types, formats and systems to save human resources from performing the task manually.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
develop software prototype
Create a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
integrate ICT data
Combine data from sources to provide unified view of the set of these data.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
3M Post-it AppAccess management softwareAcmeStudioActive directory softwareAdaAdobe AcrobatAdobe ActionScriptAdobe ColdFusionAdobe DreamweaverAdobe FlexAdobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopADP Workforce NowAdvanced business application programming ABAPAJAXAmazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Simple Storage Service S3Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Knowledge areas
  • ICT debugging tools

    The ICT tools used to test and debug programs and software code, such as GNU Debugger (GDB), Intel Debugger (IDB), Microsoft Visual Studio Debugger, Valgrind and WinDbg.

  • integrated development environment software

    The suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface, such as Visual Studio or Eclipse.

  • tools for software configuration management

    The software programs to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit, such as CVS, ClearCase, Subversion, GIT and TortoiseSVN perform this management.

  • ABAP

    The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ABAP.

  • AJAX

    The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.

  • Ansible

    The tool Ansible is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.

Cross-sector skills
  • computer programming
  • digital systems
Essential skills
managing, gathering and storing digital data
  • migrate existing data

    Apply migration and conversion methods for existing data, in order to transfer or convert data between formats, storage or computer systems.

  • integrate ICT data

    Combine data from sources to provide unified view of the set of these data.

  • use software libraries

    Utilise collections of codes and software packages which capture frequently used routines to help programmers simplify their work.

programming computer systems
  • debug software

    Repair computer code by analysing testing results, locating the defects causing the software to output an incorrect or unexpected result and remove these faults.

  • develop software prototype

    Create a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.

  • analyse software specifications

    Assess the specifications of a software product or system to be developed by identifying functional and non-functional requirements, constraints and possible sets of use cases which illustrate interactions between the software and its users.

developing operational policies and procedures
  • develop automated migration methods

    Create automated transfer of ICT information between storage types, formats and systems to save human resources from performing the task manually.

designing ict systems or applications
  • use software design patterns

    Utilise reusable solutions, formalised best practices, to solve common ICT development tasks in software development and design.

gathering information from physical or electronic sources
  • collect customer feedback on applications

    Gather a response and analyse data from customers to identify requests or problems in order to improve applications and overall customer satisfaction.

developing instructive or promotional materials
  • create flowchart diagram

    Compose a diagram that illustrates systematic progress through a procedure or system using connecting lines and a set of symbols.

developing professional relationships or networks
  • build business relationships

    Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.

setting up computer systems
  • integrate system components

    Select and use integration techniques and tools to plan and implement integration of hardware and software modules and components in a system.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Attention to Detail Analytical Thinking Cooperation Integrity Adaptability/Flexibility Dependability Persistence Initiative Self-Control Stress Tolerance Achievement/Effort Independence Innovation Leadership Concern for Others Social Orientation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an ICT application configurator and a software developer?
While both roles work with software, configurators focus on adapting existing systems to specific needs, primarily through configuration tools and settings. Software developers, on the other hand, typically build new software or modify existing code.
Do I need a programming background to become an ICT application configurator?
While some programming knowledge can be beneficial, it's not always essential. A strong understanding of business processes, analytical skills, and the ability to learn software configuration tools are often more important.
What kind of software systems might I be configuring?
You might work with a wide variety of software, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, and various business-specific applications. The specific systems will depend on the organization you work for.
ICT Application Configurator — is there a shortage in Europe?
Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 10 of the 15 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and 6 more. Austria has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
ICT Application Configurator — what does it pay in the United States?
$103,790 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $59,430 to $134,630. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.