Maybe you need additional advanced Java training to complete the application you're developing, for instance. Tech employees too often wait until a project hits the 'condition critical' phase to communicate needs. Managers who come up through tech ranks often must make a major behavioral adjustment. They usually succeeded early and often. As a defense mechanism, they clam up.
Psychology becomes key.
See if, for example, they're willing to fight for the capital and resources to keep the office current enough to get the job done. After all, current technology keeps tech people. It not only gets the job done, but it becomes a status symbol to talk up at parties. Much of this common sense advice comes down to communication. Share where you've come from, how your systems work and were created, and where you need more resources.