Massive Technology Adoption by Indian Enterprises Since 2019: IBM IBV CIO Study

by | Feb 4, 2022

IBM IBV CIO Study, Data paradox, Digital Transformation, digital architect

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A new IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) CIO study revealed that since 2019 enterprises in India have taken massive leaps in the adoption of technology platforms and services. CIOs in India reported maturity in hybrid cloud operations increased 850%, followed by process automation and intelligent workflows at 536%. While 69% of CIOs in India reported that their teams played a vital role in driving their organizations’ pandemic response; organizational complexity and regulatory constraints are identified as the key challenges.

Rapid technology adoption, online business platforms, and virtual operating models are the future of work. Today’s technology portfolio comprises a dynamic mix of centralized, decentralized, and federated services. Increasingly, technology leaders of large organizations are not only embracing a diverse set of responsibilities, they are playing a key role in helping organizations adapt to the unknown and transform risks into opportunities. 

“Technology adoption is rapidly becoming an inextricable part of every organization and business function, said Viswanath Ramaswamy Vice President, Technology, IBM Technology Sales, IBM India / South Asia. “The role of technology leaders has expanded in breadth as well as strategic influence as they continue to collaborate with C-Suite stakeholders to drive business growth. Adopting an open hybrid cloud approach and AI-fueled automation will help technology leaders drive their enterprise agility, innovation and growth imperatives.”

Key highlights

  • CIOs in India reported maturity in hybrid cloud operations increased 850%, followed by process automation and intelligent workflows at 536%.
  • 69% of CIOs in India reported that their teams played a vital role in driving their organizations’ pandemic response; organizational complexity and regulatory constraints are identified as the key challenges.
  • In addition to extending enterprise cloud estates, CIOs in India identified Automation, 5G, AI, IoT and Cybersecurity as their top technology investments in the next three years.
  • CIOs in India expect technology to have the greatest impact on customer experience (43%) followed by process automation (41%) and sustainability initiatives (38%).
  • Globally, organizations with high technology measures combined with a strong CTO-CIO collaboration reported 9% revenue growth and 32% improvement in operating margin over organizations where technology leaders are not as closely aligned

Organizations continue accelerating their digital transformation with a focus on achieving business objectives over the next three years.

The IBM IBV CIO Study highlighted that in addition to extending enterprise cloud estates, CIOs in India identified Automation, 5G, AI, IoT and Cybersecurity as their top technology investments in the next three years.

In addition, CIOs in India expect technology to have the greatest impact on customer experience (43%) followed by process automation (41%) and sustainability initiatives (38%).

CIO and CTO collaboration to drive greater business value

While CIOs and CTOs recognize each other as critical, they are communicating and collaborating selectively. The IBM IBV CTO study found that organizations in which the CTO and CIO both work together and define each other as strategically critical are realizing considerable financial gains at the organizational level.

Globally, organizations with high technology measures combined with a strong CTO-CIO collaboration reported 9% revenue growth and 32% improvement in operating margin over organizations where technology leaders are not as closely aligned. 

Rising to the challenge of an ongoing hybrid workplace

80% of CIOs in India said that they have implemented remote work strategies, but only 24% expect remote workplace changes from the COVID-19 pandemic to become permanent. In contrast, a concurrent IBV study suggests nearly two in three (65%) employees surveyed globally report they’d prefer to work exclusively remotely or in a hybrid model if given the choice.

These findings may indicate a potential blind spot for CIOs if employee preferences for flexible schedules and work locations are not going away. In this period of “The Great Resignation,” the CIO’s ability to adopt effective technology applications and productive collaboration strategies for the workforce could make a significant difference in the war for talent.

The full study is available here.


Also see: IBM Study: 99% of Organizations in India are Using Varied Combination of Hybrid Cloud Architecture

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Brian Pereira
Brian Pereira
Brian Pereira is an Indian journalist and editor based in Mumbai. He founded Digital Creed in 2015. A technology buff, former computer instructor, and software developer, Brian has 29 years of journalism experience (since 1994). Brian is the former Editor of CHIP India, InformationWeek India and CISO Mag. He has served India's leading newspaper groups: The Times of India and The Indian Express. Presently, he serves the Information Security Media Group, as Sr. Director, Editorial. You'll find his most current work on CIO Inc. During his career he wrote (and continues to write) 5000+ technology articles. He conducted more than 450 industry interviews. Brian writes on aviation, drones, cybersecurity, tech startups, cloud, data center, AI/ML/Gen AI, IoT, Blockchain etc. He achieved certifications from the EC-Council (Certified Secure Computer User) and from IBM (Basics of Cloud Computing). Apart from those, he has successfully completed many courses on Content Marketing and Business Writing. He recently achieved a Certificate in Cybersecurity (CC) from the international certification body ISC2. Follow Brian on Twitter (@creed_digital) and LinkedIn. Email Brian at: [email protected]
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