AI and data analytics are reshaping business models but 65% of businesses lack the skills to implement

Nimbus Ninety, the UK’s independent research community for disruptive business and Ensono today reveal that more than half of companies are rethinking their business models due to advances in technology from automation to data analytics and artificial intelligence, and the need to meet customer expectations is driving this change.

The overwhelming driver for digital transformation is the need to meet customer expectations. 80% of the 250 senior UK business decision makers surveyed said this was why their organisation needs to undertake a digital transformation strategy. This year’s survey also highlighted a new desire to ‘reinvent’ business models and 47% cited this as a key reason, up from 6% last year. Reducing cost is no longer a factor; only 18% stated this as a reason.

While new technologies are felt to be fundamentally changing revenue models and operational structures, the report also found 43% view keeping pace with technology change as their most significant business challenge for the year ahead. This is reflected in the spending priorities for 2017, which focused on infrastructure and processes to support the implementation of new applications. Spend on cloud (44%), infrastructure (43%) and agile transformation (35%) were in the top five priorities, helping companies to establish a more agile technology foundation so their businesses can implement new services and enable customer-focussed teams to better respond to customer needs.

Simon Ratcliffe, Principal Consultant, Ensono commented: “Companies that address their technology infrastructure – be it cloud, legacy or the connections between the various elements – can adopt new disruptive technologies and build momentum. As this research demonstrates, companies now understand the business value of improving customer experience. The next step on the journey is to execute these new business models, and for companies to find ways to find the skills needed to do this.”

The report also highlighted this need for new skills in digital transformation. While 39% rely on in-house skills for the broader set needed for transformation, only 35% believe their organisation has the right skills in place. 41% said they are working with a solutions vendor and more than a third are working with a consultancy or design agency to help plug gaps in skills.

About Ensono
For business leaders managing lots of complexity or disrupting the status quo, Ensono delivers complete Hybrid IT solutions and governance, from Cloud to mainframe, tailored to each client’s journey. Whether you’re leveraging the power of the Cloud or modernizing legacy technologies, you’ll be on track to operate for today and optimize for tomorrow. Some of the world’s most successful companies rely on us to help them be great at what they do. We’ve been recognized in Gartner Magic Quadrants for Data Center Outsourcing in North America, Cloud Managed Hosting in Europe as well as acknowledged by the Uptime Institute for 100% availability. We have over 1,000 associates across North America and Europe and are headquartered in greater Chicago, IL.

About Nimbus Ninety
Nimbus Ninety is the community for disruptive business and technology leaders. We bring together the broad range of senior stakeholders responsible for driving digital transformation initiatives-from across business and technology functions, in a variety of member driven activities including conferences, benchmarking and dinners.

For media inquiries, please contact Beth Burghgraef at: [email protected].