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The importance of data-driven IT infrastructuresDiscover how leading organizations are using automation and continuous-learning capabilities to advance their IT and Digital Transformation goals – and what that means for your customers...

Technology innovation, new business models and consumer demands are all evolving at a rapid rate. Most companies realize that falling behind in their IT Transformation efforts is not an option. But how many of your customers are taking proactive steps to stay ahead of the game?

A new survey of 512 global executives conducted by Forbes Insights, Dell EMC and Intel1 reveals that a third of the respondents don’t feel confident that they’re doing enough to fully capitalize on the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to support IT and wider Digital Transformation.

At the other end of the spectrum, a select group of companies is recognizing the need for artificially intelligent data centers to advance their Digital Transformation goals. These ‘leaders’ understand the complexities of today’s dynamic on-premise and multi-cloud environments and the long-term advantage of forward-thinking, data-driven IT infrastructures that introduce additional automation and continuous-learning capabilities – all of which helps to support Digital Transformation in powerful new ways.

The Forbes Insights, Dell EMC and Intel report argues that until ‘laggards’ come to the same realizations, they risk being saddled with unreliable, underperforming data centers that simply can’t support modern business needs.

The key to meaningful progress with IT Transformation

Where would your customers sit on this spectrum? Would you classify them as leaders or laggards?

While most large and mid-size organizations around the world are now appreciating the need for and starting to embrace IT Transformation initiatives, many are struggling to take the tried-and-trusted steps that are key to securing their future: IT modernization, IT automation and cultural change.

As a Dell EMC partner, you’re perfectly placed to promote the latest PowerEdge servers2, featuring 2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and with built-in automation and intelligent system management, as the ideal solution to help organizations make significant progress towards IT Transformation.

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Information technology has never been more important

The survey reveals the progressive thinking of several household names – and some of the measures these front-runners have taken that can now point the way for other companies.

“As part of our transformation process, IT is forming closer relationships with our business people and product development groups to enable P&G’s ability to win,” says Alan Boehme, global chief technology officer and chief of innovation information technology at consumer products giant Procter & Gamble. “It’s a recognition by the company that IT is the business and the business is IT. These areas are merging into one.”

He adds: “As an IT professional, I’m constantly looking for new ways to improve our company, our environment for employees, and our relationships with customers and consumers. Information technology has never been more important to our company than it is today. The new currency of consumers is time and relevance, which are driven by technology.”

Over at global telecommunications company Ericsson, IT Transformation is already delivering tangible business results: “We’re making IT ‘smarter’ by using data, machine learning, and predictive analytics to automate more of IT,” says CIO Johan Torstensson. “This is helping to drive down costs, while also increasing quality.”

Make sure your customers don’t get left behind

The survey found that an overwhelming majority of C-suite executives agree that the pace of technology innovation and market disruption will continue or even accelerate over the next 10 years – it’s a new reality that your customers will need to get their heads around.

“Producing a 3-year IT road map is virtually impossible today,” says James Lowey, CIO of TGen, a non-profit biomedical research institute. “In that amount of time, the whole landscape may completely change.”

Your customers need your support right now. Talk to them today about emerging best practices and how Dell EMC PowerEdge servers can help ensure their data centers stand the test of time and enable their business to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

FORBES PDF ATTACHED

> Download and share the key findings:

1 Forbes Insights report, in association with Dell EMC and Intel, ‘Artificially Intelligent Data Centers: How the C-Suite Is Embracing Continuous Change to Drive Value’, 2018.

2 Not available in all countries – please contact your account manager for more information.