25 Years of People. 25 Years of Technology Evolution. A look back at itecopeople's journey
Posted on 5 Aug 2025
From the dot-com bubble to the dawn of GenAI, the last 25 years have changed everything about the way we work with technology. Yet one thing has remained the same: at itecopeople, we've supported our clients and candidates through every wave of innovation, offering personal, trusted guidance that is grounded in deep sector knowledge.
At itecopeople, we are proud to be celebrating 25 years in business. In that time, technology has transformed at an extraordinary pace, but our values, our client-first ethos, and our commitment to meaningful recruitment haven't changed. Here's a look at how we've assisted organisations to adapt and grow through the last quarter of a century.
1999–2004: The Dot-Com Boom & Bust
Core Skills: HTML, JavaScript, Java, C++, SQL, PHP
Trends: Rapid web development, rise of e-commerce, basic web design
Infrastructure: Windows Server, early Linux adoption
Certifications: MCSE, A+, Network+
Popular Tech: Nokia 3210/3310, Motorola Razr, Friends Reunited, DVDs, Napster, Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6
When we first started, businesses were just recovering from the millennium bug (the one that never was!) but also racing to build their first websites and IT departments were scaling fast. We helped place developers, analysts, and infrastructure specialists who could turn their eCommerce ambition into reality. And when the dot-com bubble burst, we were still here, supporting recovery and planning for the future.
2005–2009: Web 2.0 & Virtualisation
Core Skills: AJAX, CSS, XML, MySQL, .NET, Python (early use)
Trends: Interactive websites, social media platforms rise
Infrastructure: VMware, Citrix, Windows Server 2003/2008
New Roles: Web Developer, Network Admin, Systems Admin
Popular Tech: BlackBerry, Nokia N95, iPhone, Facebook, Bebo, Blu-ray, iTunes, Ubuntu Linux, Firefox
As the web became more interactive and virtualisation reshaped infrastructure, we adapted quickly. We supported clients exploring new channels, hiring the talent needed to embrace early cloud services, and modernising legacy systems.
2010–2014: Mobile & Cloud Revolution
Core Skills: Java (Android), Objective-C (iOS), AWS, Python, Ruby, REST APIs
Trends: Cloud computing growth, mobile app development
Infrastructure: AWS, Azure (early), DevOps practices begin
Certifications: AWS Certified, Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Security+
Popular Tech: iPhone 4/5, Galaxy S3, Instagram, Snapchat, Spotify, Windows 7, Chrome browser
Apps changed how people interacted with services. Cloud, transformed IT teams. We connected organisations with engineers, architects, and developers who could ride the mobile wave and build scalable cloud-native solutions.
2015–2018: DevOps, Data & Cybersecurity Rise
Core Skills: Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, Python, R, SQL, React, Angular
Trends: Containerisation, big data, Agile/DevOps mainstream
Roles: DevOps Engineer, Data Scientist, Security Analyst
Certifications: CISSP, CEH, Google Cloud Certified
Popular Tech: iPhone 6s/7/8, Google Pixel, LinkedIn, TikTok (launch), 4K streaming, Slack, Windows 10
Data got bigger. Development got faster. Security became business-critical. Our ability to stay ahead of trends meant we were ready to deliver high-demand skillsets just as they were becoming essential.
2019–2022: AI, Cloud-Native, and Remote Work
Core Skills: Machine Learning (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch), CI/CD, Kubernetes, Terraform, Azure, GCP
Trends: AI integration, remote tools, cloud-native development
Roles: ML Engineer, Cloud Architect, SRE
Popular Tech: iPhone 11–13, Samsung S20, TikTok Reels, Discord, Disney+, Windows 11, Zoom, Notion
When the world went remote, we helped businesses stay connected and resilient. Whether hiring remote-ready developers or just keeping in touch whilst we all wondered what would happen, our clients trusted us to understand the nuances of tech hiring in a digital-first world.
2023–2025: GenAI, Platform Engineering, Sustainability
Core Skills: GenAI (LLMs, prompt engineering), Go, Rust, FinOps, platform automation
Trends: Generative AI, sustainable IT, low/no-code tools, edge computing
Roles: Prompt Engineer, Platform Engineer, FinOps Analyst
Certifications: OpenAI & Microsoft AI certs, CKA, FinOps Certified Practitioner
Popular Tech: iPhone 14/15, Google Pixel 8, Threads, AI-generated media, ChatGPT, Webflow, Windows Copilot
We're now entering an era where AI isn't just a tool it's a co-pilot. The pace of change is fast, but our clients can rely on us to keep pace. Whether you need help with GenAI roles, platform engineering, or building sustainable teams, we're already there.
A Legacy of Personal Service
We’ve seen a lot change in 25 years but our approach to recruitment hasn’t. We don’t chase volume. We focus on understanding, delivering, and supporting people and businesses as they grow.
When you partner with itecopeople, you get:
- A specialist recruiter who listens to your goals.
- Expertise tailored to your sector, not off-the-shelf solutions.
- Access to a network of skilled professionals who trust us to represent them, time and again.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
Finally, to everyone we've worked with over the past 25 years, thank you. We’re proud of the trust you place in us, and we look forward to continuing the journey with you into the next generation of technology advancements.
If you're hiring for your next programme or looking for your next career challenge, we’d love to help.
Here's to the next 25 years of people, technology, and progress.
Simon Dunscombe and the itecopeople team