Core Insights - The demand for traditional operations and maintenance (O&M) positions has decreased by 18% in 2024, while salaries for O&M roles with cross-domain skills have increased by 25% [1] - By 2025, O&M roles that only involve basic tasks like inspection and log checking are likely to be replaced by automation tools, emphasizing the importance of skill selection over mere activity [1][3] Industry Trends - The nature of O&M has evolved from merely monitoring servers to managing cloud-native architectures, requiring a shift from physical machine management to container and microservices management [3] - The automation rate for basic monitoring and troubleshooting tasks has exceeded 70%, leading to a decline in the value of O&M roles that only perform execution tasks [3] Skills Development - Three essential skills for O&M professionals to thrive in 2025 include: 1. **Cloud Native and Container Orchestration**: Over 90% of enterprises are expected to host their business on the cloud, making knowledge of Docker image management highly sought after across various industries [6] 2. **Data Operations and Analysis**: O&M professionals must learn to predict issues by analyzing system logs and business data, which can help in resource optimization and decision-making [7] 3. **AI Operations Practice**: Proficiency in AI tools can enhance efficiency, allowing O&M professionals to automatically identify anomalies and reduce troubleshooting time by over 60% [7] Transformation Steps - The transformation process for O&M professionals involves three steps: 1. **Self-Assessment**: Identifying skill gaps and defining career transition goals [11] 2. **Phased Learning**: Prioritizing the learning of cloud-native and data operations before moving on to AI operations, applying new skills in real work scenarios [11] 3. **Gaining Cross-Industry Experience**: Seeking opportunities to participate in cross-industry projects or engaging with case studies through CAIE certification communities to enhance resumes [11]