In the realm of IT, where the pace of change is relentless, IT leaders are tasked with the dual mandate of driving innovation and ensuring operational excellence. At the heart of this challenge is the strategic alignment or cloud technologies, platform and application modernisation, data & analytics-all to support the business's financial performance and sustainability objectives. On top, boardrooms are demanding rapid adoption of (generative) AI strategies to gain competitive advantages, lagging behind is not an option.

As the shift to cloud computing has revolutionised IT infrastructure, compelling businesses to adopt more agile and scalable environments. Rackspace's Cloud Modernization Report 2023 [1] underscores that organizations are increasingly embracing cloud solutions to achieve such flexibility. This transition has made modernisation of platform, applications and data a cornerstone of IT strategy, as it allows for the seamless deployment, cost management, and optimisation of applications across diverse platforms. In the same cloud modernisation report 2023, there is overwhelming evidence that modernisation of Platform, Applications and Data is a prerequisite of any successful (gen)AI adoption.

Data is the cornerstone upon which smarter business decisions are built and the hype around generative AI is all around us. Gartner highlights [2] the critical role of data and analytics in informing strategic decision-making, with advanced analytics and AI offering deep, actionable insights, dramatically improving employee productivity and enhancing customer experience. Harvard Online [3] further elucidates this by discussing the substantial impact that data science has on predicting trends and enhancing business decisions. Moreover, the integration of AI into cloud services is poised to redefine efficiency and innovation. Rackspace notes that AI is driving automation and improving customer experiences

The role of FinOps and sustainability objectives are increasingly pivotal in this context. As detailed by the FinOps Foundation [4], the leading cloud financial practice standards, it offers a framework for marrying financial accountability with the elastic nature of cloud spending. Sustainability through the lens of FinOps practices enable IT leaders to make strategic decisions that optimise costs without compromising on performance or pace.

By engaging in this benchmark study, IT leaders have the opportunity to gauge their strategic approaches against their peers and use these insights to enhance their strategy & operations. This research aims to provide IT decision-makers with the empirical data necessary to navigate the complex landscapes of cloud economics, IT modernization, AI-driven innovation, fostering a more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable IT ecosystem. In this journey, they will not only chart a path for their organisations but also set a benchmark for the industry, propelling their businesses to the vanguard of digital transformation.

Source:

[1] The 2023 Rackspace Cloud Modernisation Research Report

[2] Gartner

[3] Harvard online blog

[4] FinOps