Colt Technology Services has revealed insights uncovered by its research of almost 1000 IT decision makers in 12 countries across Europe and Asia. The countries in the survey comprised Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the USA.
According to the report, one in three businesses cites AI and emerging technologies in their top three priorities.
Across all countries, improving security was the highest priority cited by more than one in two (53%) respondents, followed by network flexibility improvements listed by 44%. Enabling new collaboration and communication applications was the next on the list, called out by 39% of IT decision makers.
Topline findings include:
- 34% are prioritising the implementation of emerging technologies e.g. Metaverse
- 33% are looking at adding AI or machine learning capabilities
- More than one in four (26%) cited SD WAN as a key priority
- 35% cited moving to the cloud as a top priority
While more than one in three (34%) specifically called out enabling a remote workforce as a priority, all the technologies prioritised across the regions are critical in helping IT decision makers enable the agile, secure, hybrid workforce of the future.
Keri Gilder, CEO, Colt Technology Services said, “We’re experiencing one of the most monumental periods of change in our history. Connected digital technologies have already transformed the way we live and work. Right now, AI, machine learning and the metaverse are fundamentally changing the way we engage, transact and interact, but these technologies will only reach their full potential if they’re built on agile, scalable digital networks.” She continued, “Our research reflects this: we’re seeing IT managers prioritise secure, agile networking capabilities like SD WAN and Cloud alongside security, AI and the metaverse. As we head deeper into the latest industrial revolution, it’s digital infrastructure’s time to shine.”