Aussie businesses leading the world in digital transformation, report says

Australian businesses are leading the way when it comes to digital transformation, according to Fujitsu's recent report: Global Digital Transformation Survey.

More Australian organisations are planning, testing, or implementing digital transformation strategies than the international average, and local companies are leading the charge in converting digital transformation projects into revenue.

"It's great to see the positive impact digital transformation projects are having in Australian business, and furthermore, the opportunities that remain to be seized," comments Mike Foster, chief executive officer, Fujitsu in Australia and New Zealand.

"With half of Australian businesses seeing revenue increases from projects, the role of co-creation between enterprise and digital partners has never been more important.

The survey findings show that Australian businesses are holding their global weight in engaging with new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), with local businesses recognising as much opportunity in the technology as the global average.

In fact, Australian businesses are slightly more optimistic about the ability of AI to enhance the capabilities of humans in the future.

"It is clear from the Global Digital Transformation Survey that embracing digital transformation is good for business", adds Foster.

"We are also applying this to our own organisation and are well placed to help our customers achieve great results. The key to success is making sure the wealth of information and expertise available is fully utilised and that people are empowered to use their creativity.

At Fujitsu's recent World Tour event, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand also announced the formation of dedicated teams that will drive the company's digital co-creation activities across the regions.

The company's Digital Co-creation approach, also announced at the event, aims to unite previously unconnected fields of expertise to ignite innovation and value creation at scale.

Foster says that this approach is designed to ensure the company can leverage the skillset of customers and partners to provide the best possible solutions to business problems.

The Australia and New Zealand teams will implement a range of tools, technologies and methodologies to deliver Fujitsu's Co-creation strategy, which will include "hackathons" to assemble multi-disciplined digital teams focussed on creating digital outcomes for customers.

Foster concludes, "it is becoming increasingly clear that digital disruption is the 'New Normal' and is a reality of business today. We need to work with our customers to help them to leverage the constant demand for innovative thinking and rapid development of ideas and concepts.

"We are bringing innovation to the table through emerging technologies and a focus on 'Co-creation' while leveraging the experience of our traditional business.

Key findings from Fujitsu's Global Digital Transformation Survey include:

• 92.5% of the Australian business leaders surveyed indicated that they are planning, testing, or implementing a digital transformation project vs. the international average of 89%.
• Australian companies are leading the charge in converting digital transformation projects into increased revenues, with 49% of Australian executives surveyed reporting digital transformation projects contributed to increasing revenues vs. international average of 46%.
• Australian industries are also seeing digital transformation projects have a more profound positive impact on customer relationships. 51% of Australian respondents surveyed stated improved customer relationships as a result of digital initiatives vs. international average of 44%. than the rest of the world.
• Australian businesses are holding their global weight in engaging with new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), with local businesses identifying just as much opportunity in the technology as the global average.
• Australian businesses show slightly more optimism in the ability of AI to enhance the capabilities of humans in the future. 84% of Australian businesses agreed that AI will enhance the capabilities of people in the future vs. international average of 82%
• 77% of business leaders surveyed see AI as an opportunity. This is aligned with the international average.