FEATURE : DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digital Transformation is the incorporation of computer-based technologies into an organisation ’ s solutions , processes , and strategies .

Industry pundits look at how enterprises in the Middle East and

Africa ( MEA ) are winning with

Digital Transformation , business benefits and digital technologies as the growth trajectory continues . By

Manda Banda

“ For the first time , IDC has forecast global Digital Transformation spending to exceed US $ 10 trillion over a five-year period ,” said Craig Simpson , Senior Research Manager , Customer Insights and Analysis Group , IDC . “ While most Digital Transformation projects remained on track in 2020 and into 2021 during the pandemic , IDC forecasts Digital Transformation technology investments to accelerate in 2022 , with a renewed drive towards more long term strategic digital objectives . Beyond operational Digital Transformation investments , customer experience is garnering some of the largest Digital Transformation technology investments from consumer-oriented industries such as securities and investment services , banking and retail .”

According to research firm International Data Corporation ( IDC ). global spending on the Digital Transformation of business practices , products , and organisations is forecast to reach US $ 2.8 trillion in 2025 , more than double the amount allocated in 2020 . According to a recent update to the IDC ‘ Worldwide Digital Transformation Spending Guide ’, Digital Transformation spending will have a compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 16.4 % over the 2021 to 2025 forecast period as organisations pursue a holistic digital strategy for people , processes , technology , data , and governance .

With technology investments on the rise , what does Digital Transformation entail and why is it important for IT leaders to take note of this growth ?

David Sweenor , Senior Director , Product Marketing , Alteryx , said even with the advances made with the Internet and computers , lots of companies still have many manual , repetitive , time consuming processes that are analogous to pushing a piece of paper from one department to another and still getting it signed off . “ Our digital world still runs on paper . Digitisation is the natural next step of modifying and improving the efficiency and operation of all those processes through technology ,” he said . “ To truly transform , the process must be reimagined . If a process has been really transformed , you typically can ’ t recognise it anymore . Many processes have been transformed over time and technology has certainly been a key driver : for example , we used to stand on the curb and

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