One of the key findings from the survey is
the stark contrast in success rates between the general population and a group
known as the “Digital Vanguard.” While only 48% of digital initiatives meet or
exceed business outcome targets on average, the Digital Vanguard boasts a 71%
success rate. This success is largely due to the co-ownership of digital
delivery by CIOs and CxOs, a departure from the traditional IT delivery model.
For data centre professionals, understanding
investment trends is crucial. The survey reveals that over 80% of EMEA CIOs
plan to increase their investments in cybersecurity, AI/GenAI, and business
intelligence and data analytics in 2025. These technologies are not just for IT
staff but are being made accessible to technologists across the enterprise.
Conversely, 43% of EMEA CIOs expect to decrease their investment in legacy
infrastructure and data centre technologies, reflecting a shift towards
cloud-based solutions.
Despite these advancements, a significant
challenge remains: the development of a technology-savvy workforce. Only 14% of
EMEA CIOs prioritise building a technology workforce beyond their IT
departments. This lack of focus on enterprise-wide tech skills development
could hinder the success of digital initiatives, perpetuating the low success
rate of 48%.
For data centre professionals, these insights
highlight the importance of adapting to new technologies and fostering a
collaborative approach to digital delivery. By prioritising investments in
emerging technologies and developing a skilled workforce, data centres can
better support the digital transformation efforts of their organisations.