Hybrid Cloud capabilities grew by 850% since 2019 within enterprises in India

Rapid technology adoption, online business platforms and virtual operating models are the future of work. Today’s technology portfolio comprises a dynamic mix of centralized, decentralized and federated services. Increasingly technology leaders of large organizations are not only embracing a diverse set of responsibilities, they are playing a key role in helping organizations adapt to the unknown and transform risks into opportunities.

A new IBM Institute for Business Value CIO study revealed that since 2019 enterprises in India have taken massive leaps in the adoption of technology platforms and services. CIOs in India reported maturity in hybrid cloud operations increased 850%, followed by process automation and intelligent workflows at 536%. While 69% of CIOs in India reported that their teams played a vital role in driving their organizations’ pandemic response; organizational complexity and regulatory constraints are identified as the key challenges.

Organizations continue accelerating their digital transformation with focus on achieving business objectives over the next three years. The Study highlighted that in addition to extending enterprise cloud estates, CIOs in India identified Automation, 5G, AI, IoT and Cybersecurity as their top technology investments in the next three years. In addition, CIOs in India expect technology to have the greatest impact on customer experience (43%) followed by process automation (41%) and sustainability initiatives (38%).

It is a fact that there is a sharp rise in the challenge of an ongoing hybrid workplace, there is 80% of CIOs in India said that they have implemented remote work strategies, but only 24% expect remote workplace changes from the COVID-19 pandemic to become permanent. In contrast, a concurrent IBV study suggests nearly two in three (65%) employees surveyed globally report they would prefer to work exclusively remotely or in a hybrid model, if given the choice.

These findings may indicate a potential blind spot for CIOs if employee preferences for flexible schedules and work locations are not going away. In this period of "The Great Resignation," the CIO's ability to adopt effective technology applications and productive collaboration strategies for the workforce could make a significant difference in the war for talent.

Technology adoption is rapidly becoming an inextricable part of every organization and business function, said experts from IBM and the role of technology leaders has expanded in breadth as well as strategic influence as they continue to collaborate with C-Suite stakeholders to drive business growth.