Arun ShankarWith the 4th industrial revolution defined by both digital opportunities and risks, it demands that organisations invest in transformation-enabling technologies to build capabilities that are more collaborative, immersive, mobile, and competitive. Highlighting these digital realities, Dell EMC revealed the findings of its recent Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index, DT Index.
While many organisations are embracing their digital transformation journeys, many fail to even start. With the majority 90% of businesses facing major barriers to digital transformation, only 4% of businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can be categorised as digital leaders.
The DT Index, which was completed in collaboration with Intel, maps the digital transformation progress of mid to large-sized companies, and examines the digital hopes and fears of business leaders.
Based on responses from business leaders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the study also revealed that 90% of regional heads of business believe that their organisation will struggle to meet changing customer demands within just five years, while 37% fear they will be left behind.
While many organisations are embracing their digital transformation journeys, many fail to even start. With the majority 90% of businesses facing major barriers to digital transformation, only 4% of businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can be categorised as digital leaders.
Defining the challenges, 87% of business leaders believe that digital transformation should already be more widespread throughout the organisation. Other key challenges are a shortage of in-house skill sets and expertise 30%, and a lack of the right technologies to work at the speed of business 24%.
The DT Index research also uncovered that businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are taking steps to overcome their barriers, and the threat of being outmanoeuvred, by turning to emerging technologies to power their transformation.
Planned investments within the next one to three years:
- 58% of businesses intend to invest in cybersecurity
- 35% of businesses intend to invest in multi-cloud
- 52% of businesses intend to invest in IoT technologies
- 36% of businesses intend to invest in Artificial Intelligence
“It is an exciting time to be in business. We are at a crucial intersection – where technology, organisations, and mankind meet to create a better, more connected world,” added Fady Richmany, Senior Director and General Manager, United Arab Emirates, at Dell EMC. “However, only technology-centered organisations will reap the rewards of a digital business model, such as the ability to move quickly, to automate everything, and to delight customers. This is why digital transformation needs to be a critical priority.”
“We have talked about being on the cusp of tremendous change for some time now. That is no longer the case,” said Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Dell EMC. “The next digital era has arrived and it is reshaping the way we live, work, and conduct business. This means that time is of the essence; genuine transformation needs to happen now, and it needs to be radical.”
Independent research company, Vanson Bourne surveyed 4,600 business leaders from mid to large-size companies, across 42 countries to gauge their organisations’ place on the Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index. Vanson Bourne classified businesses’ digital business efforts by examining their IT strategy, workforce transformation initiatives and perceived performance against a core set of digital business attributes.
Key takeaways
- Vanson Bourne surveyed 4,600 businesses across 42 countries to gauge their place on the Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index.
- The DT Index completed in collaboration with Intel, maps the digital transformation progress and examines hopes and fears of business leaders.
- 90% regional heads believe their organisation will struggle to meet customer demands within five years, 37% fear they will be left behind.
- 90% of businesses face major barriers to transformation and only 4% of businesses in UAE and Saudi Arabia can be categorised as digital leaders.
- 87% of business believe digital transformation should already be more widespread throughout the organisation.
- Key challenges are shortage of skill sets and lack of technologies to work at the speed of business.
