Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 40 | Page 35

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// FEATURE: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Improving the customer experience has become a driver behind Digital Transformation (DX) projects and a foundation built on data management is fundamental for any digitally-led initiative to be successful. Gartner research shows that by 2022, 90% of corporate strategies will explicitly mention information as a critical enterprise asset and analytics as an essential competency. As has been the case with many digital shifts in business, whether it is cloud migration, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and others. Decision-makers should not be tempted by the potential of the technology but rather focus on the business relevance they bring. Therefore, being able to make more effective decisions faster becomes the competitive advantage and not the solution itself. Gartner goes on to state that data and analytics will become the centrepiece of enterprise strategy, focus and investment. While the rapid evolution of technology requires organisations to apply continuous effort to ensure it remains relevant to their needs. The technology is important. It is not just the means to an end. This is because integrating new technologies and solutions can www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 35