Digital transformation has become a crucial aspect for organizations to thrive and meet disruptions head-on. With the widespread adoption of generative AI, IT leaders have begun to adapt their strategies to meet shifting customer demands. Let’s explore the key findings from the 2024 Connectivity Benchmark Report, which sheds light on the current state of digital transformation along with the latest trends in AI, integration, automation, and API management.
The evolution of digital transformation
According to the report, 87% of IT leaders believe that the nature of digital transformation is changing. Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a significant role in meeting new challenges, and its successful implementation is dependent on the integration of data systems.
Respondents report that integration remains a top blocker for AI implementation, with 62% feeling that their organizations are ill-equipped to harmonize data systems and leverage AI technologies effectively. Organizations must adapt and adopt this new solution in order to meet ever-rising customer expectations.
Shift in strategy for efficiency
As time has gone on, the ways that IT leaders solve problems has shifted. Rather than rely on headcount and traditional DevOps practices, IT teams are now focusing more on agile and reusable solutions such as APIs and microservices architecture. This shift allows teams to streamline workflows, increase productivity, and overcome connectivity challenges.
The role of IT leaders
With the rise of AI and automation, effective IT leadership has become crucial. IT teams expect their leaders to play a more critical role in navigating the changing landscape of digital transformation. The report reveals that 75% of respondents state that their IT leaders communicate an upfront strategy, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and guidance.
Meeting customer expectations
New technologies have significantly impacted how customers interact with companies. The report highlights that nearly three-quarters of customer experiences are digital, but only 26% of organizations provide a completely connected user experience across all channels. Meeting customer expectations and providing exceptional experiences supported by well-connected data through integrated systems has become a top priority for organizations.
Integration challenges and AI adoption
Integration of data remains a top challenge for organizations looking to implement AI solutions with internal research showing that 95% of leaders list integration as the top blocker for AI implementation. While 42% of IT teams plan on adopting AI or machine learning (ML) solutions in the coming year, only 28% of applications are currently connected.
In short, AI models are only as good as the data they have access to. As AI will produce more valuable outputs based on accurate and comprehensive data. A comprehensive integration strategy will unlock important context so that any AI model can be grounded in the correct data precisely at the time of need.
Efficiency through automation
Automation has become a key component of digital transformation, in fact, one-third of respondents have adopted robotic process automation (RPA) solutions, with business users increasingly seeking self-service capabilities. While IT teams are primarily responsible for governing and maintaining automations, there is a growing demand across various business teams for automation solutions
To reduce the burden on resource-strapped IT teams, IT leaders must look to solutions that allow business teams to drive efficiency and reduce workload with automation.
The role of APIs in driving efficiency and revenue
APIs continue to play a significant role in driving efficiency and revenue for organizations. The report reveals that APIs and API-related offerings contribute to 33% of revenue, with over half of respondents using APIs to build integrations. APIs allow organizations to increase productivity, decrease operational costs, and drive agility.
What’s to come
The 2024 Connectivity Benchmark Report captures insights from IT leaders around the world, and one thing is clear: the landscape of digital transformation is shifting. Organizations now face new challenges and opportunities as they strive to leverage AI, improve integration, all while managing rising customer expectations.
IT leaders play a crucial role in navigating these changes and driving efficiency through automation and the use of APIs. By embracing these advancements, organizations can set themselves up for success in this ever-evolving digital landscape.
Explore more of the latest IT insights in the 2024 Connectivity Benchmark Report.
