TRENDING
Digital Transformation in the postpandemic future
Digitisation and business investment in digital infrastructure have increased as a result of COVID-19 . Almost half ( 48 %) of digital leaders surveyed in the UK , compared to 47 % of those surveyed globally , said they have accelerated Digital Transformation plans because of the pandemic . Almost half ( 45 %) of those in the UK also said their budgets have been increased to satisfy the rapid growth in digital demands .
It ’ s clear the pandemic has changed the way we work , across industries , both in the UK and further afield , challenging traditional notions of workplace collaboration . the UK ( compared to 80 % globally ) reported digitising their IT infrastructure was a top priority , with 61 % saying they see interconnection as a key facilitator of Digital Transformation – twice as many as last year .
Concerns that the pandemic will have put the brakes on companies ’ expansion plans lessened
• Half of businesses in the UK ( 50 %) still have plans to expand into new regions , countries or metros , according to the digital leaders surveyed .
• Of that 50 %, over two-thirds ( 68 %) plan to achieve this virtually , rather than by investing in physical IT infrastructure in-market .
Utilising interconnection for success
• 70 % of IT leaders in the UK ( 58 % globally ) said they believe interconnection – the direct and private exchange of data between organisations – will help them to navigate the challenges they face due to COVID-19 .
• Those stating interconnection was key to their organisation ’ s survival increased to 60 %, up from 33 % last year .
Claire Macland , Senior Vice President , Global Marketing at Equinix , said : “ Digital leaders around the world were clearly already working to accelerate their organisations ’ Digital Transformation . This effort has been supercharged by COVID-19 , as this study clearly relays .
“ Many companies are now investing more in their digital infrastructure to enable them to embrace a hybrid working model and thrive in the new world of work we all find ourselves in . Despite headwinds in many sectors , many organisations are continuing to expand physically and virtually into new markets and regions around the world .
Russell Poole , Managing Director , UK , Equinix
There has also been a major overhaul of IT strategies to meet the challenges emerging from the pandemic . In the UK , more than two-thirds ( 67 %) of digital leaders said they have revised their IT strategy as a result of COVID-19 , while 55 % said they want to invest in technology to be more agile post-COVID .
Asked about their biggest priorities for their organisation ’ s digital strategy , 86 % of respondents in
“ This increasing focus on digitisation and expansion is one of the reasons why Equinix has continued to invest in its own growth . We completed 16 new expansions in 2020 – our most active build year ever – and expect to continue to evolve Platform Equinix to support our customers as they continue on their Digital Transformation journey .”
The Global Interconnection Index ( GXI ) Volume 4 , a market study recently published by Equinix , forecasts that overall interconnection bandwidth – the measure of private connectivity for the transfer of data between organisations – will achieve a 45 % Compound Annual Growth Rate ( CAGR ) from 2019 to 2023 , globally . The expected growth is driven by Digital Transformation
26 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www . intelligentcio . com