Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 46 | Page 25

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// at risk of being left behind when it comes to their digital adoption. It’s essential that organisations get the right digital foundation in place to intelligently manage their data and safeguard their future. To achieve this, businesses must be united internally, with IT and the business working collaboratively and addressing cultural and skills challenges.” Journey to a more intelligent business The 2019 Veeam Cloud Data Management Report found that organisations are on a journey to become more intelligent businesses, meaning they are leveraging technologies such as Cloud Data Management and AI to create a real-time “ WHAT IS CLEAR . . . IS THAT THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW. view of the collective business and the ability to act intelligently on that insight. Among the businesses on this journey, the study highlights four common components globally: 1. Cloud: Cloud data management is a key component of delivering Intelligent Data Management. Three-quarters of companies report using Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) www.intelligentcio.com “ IF YOU ARE UNSURE, IT’S TIME TO ACT, AND OUR STUDY SHOWS THAT MANY ARE NOT ACTING FAST ENOUGH. TRENDING 3. Culture: Creating a culture that is adaptable and receptive to new technologies so that people can evolve with the organisation is essential, with more than two-thirds of respondents believing that company culture needs to become more open and accepting to digital technologies. 4. Confidence: Organisations must create a sense of confidence in the business’ digital capabilities, built on a strong data foundation. Presently, only a quarter of respondents report total confidence in their capability to meet their digital challenges. What is clear from the 2019 Veeam Cloud Data Management Report is that the time for action is now. This starts with a strong digital foundation, which ensures that data is backed up and always available. With this in place, organisations can confidently deploy new digital initiatives, leveraging the business value and competitive advantage for today and into the future, and harness the potential of Cloud Data Management. Claude Schuck, Regional Manager, Middle East at Veeam, said: “Cloud has stopped being something CIOs and IT managers talk about but don’t necessarily implement and has become a must-have for any digital business. At the same time, data management is taking on an increasingly crucial role. “Organisations are beginning to understand their data better and being able to access the right data at the right time, and recover it when it’s lost or damaged, can determine the success of a business. platforms. Many are utilising the cloud for their backup and recovery services, with 51% using Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) and 44% using Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS). It is evident that leaders are recognising the advantages of a multi-cloud and hybrid-based approach, citing cost, reliability, flexibility and data security of the cloud as their main reasons for choosing it. 2. Capabilities: Organisations must enhance their capabilities, to ensure employees can draw on data insights and use new technologies as they are deployed, with nine out of 10 businesses viewing upskilling employees’ digital skills as vital to their digital success. “Organisations are using data management to increase productivity, maintain corporate stability and improve their ability to forecast, making better informed decisions as a result. “Within this context, technology has never been so important to a business’ success. Organisations around the world rely on a whole host of digital platforms for everything from keeping the lights on to creating ground-breaking, new offerings for customers. This, combined with implementing a data-driven culture which maximises the value of the data available to the business, will enable the next-generation of industry disruptors and innovators to scale effectively and securely.” n INTELLIGENTCIO 25