Canada is More Digitally Mature than Global Average, According to Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index

Of 4,600 businesses in 40+ countries, Canadian companies advance ahead of  global average with more digital leaders in 2018

Jan. 29, 2019 – Toronto, Canada

News summary

• 6% of Canadian businesses have been defined as Digital Leaders, higher than the global average of 5%
• 83% of Canadian businesses believe that digital transformation should be more widespread throughout the organization, ranking higher than the global average of 78%
• 21% of Canadian businesses believing they’ll struggle to meet changing customer demands within five years, while globally the average is over half (51%)
• Emerging markets are faring better than developed markets with India, Brazil and Thailand gaining the highest digital maturity scores
• Canada’s digital maturity score ranked in the middle, slightly higher than the global average and trailing closely behind the UK and US

Full story

Despite the relentless pace of disruption, the latest Dell Technologies Digital Transformation (DT) Index Global Results shows worldwide many businesses’ digital transformation programs are still in their infancy. Canadian businesses, however, are making strides to become digital adopters and leaders on the world stage. This is evidenced by only 21% of Canadian businesses believing they’ll struggle to meet changing customer demands within five years, while the global average is 51%.

Dell Technologies, in collaboration with Intel and Vanson Bourne, surveyed 4,600 business leaders (director to C-suite) from mid- to large-sized companies across the globe to score their organizations’ transformation efforts. The Canadian specific results were initially revealed in October 2018.

The study revealed that emerging markets are the most digitally mature, with India, Brazil and Thailand topping the global ranking. In contrast, developed markets are slipping behind: Japan, Denmark and France received the lowest digital maturity scores. Canada ranked in the middle, but slightly higher the global average. Notably, Canada is only one point behind the UK and five points behind the US.

Behind the curve

The DT Index II builds on the first ever DT Index launched in 2016. The two-year comparison highlights that progress globally has been slow, with organizations struggling to keep up with the blistering pace of change. While the percentage of Digital Adopters has increased, there’s been no progress at the top. Almost four in 10 (39%) businesses are still spread across the two least digitally mature groups on the benchmark (Digital Laggards and Digital Followers).

“In the near future, every organization will need to be a digital organization, but our research indicates that the majority still have a long way to go,” said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies. “Organizations need to modernize their technology to participate in the unprecedented opportunity of digital transformation. The time to act is now.”

Here’s how Canada ranks on the global stage:

Barriers to transformation and confidence

The findings also suggest business leaders are on the verge of a confidence crisis, with 91% held back by persistent barriers. Canada is slightly lower with 89%.

The top five barriers to digital transformation success:

1. Data privacy and security concerns (2nd place for Canadian businesses)
2. Lack of budget and resources (1st place for Canadian businesses)
3. Lack of the right in-house skill sets and expertise (4th place for Canadian businesses)
4. Regulation and legislative changes (not listed in the top 5 for Canada)
5. Immature digital culture (not listed in the top 5 for Canada)

These barriers are hampering digital transformation efforts. Regardless, there is a sense of urgency among business leaders and right now 83% of Canadian businesses believe that digital transformation should be more widespread throughout the organization. This figure is higher than the global average of 78%.

Plans to realize their digital future

Leaders have reported common priorities and investments to aid future transformation, including an increased focus on workforce, security and IT. In Canada, investments in initiatives which enable digital transformation to occur is up and is expected to continue rising.

Top technology investments for the next one to three years:

1. Cybersecurity (also the top investment priority for Canadian businesses)
2. Internet of Things technology (ranking 4th for Canadian businesses)
3. Multi-cloud environment (ranking 2nd for Canadian businesses)
4. Artificial intelligence (ranking 3rd for Canadian businesses)
5. Compute centric approach (ranking 5th for Canadian businesses)

Digital maturity score rankings

Most digitally mature countries:

1. India
2. Brazil
3. Thailand
4. Mexico
5. Colombia

Least digitally mature countries:

1. Japan
2. Denmark
3. France
4. Belgium
5. Singapore

Research methodology

During the summer of 2018, independent research company Vanson Bourne surveyed 4,600 business leaders from mid- to large-size companies across 42 countries/sub-regions to gauge their organizations’ place on the Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index. Vanson Bourne classified businesses’ digital business efforts by examining their IT strategy, workforce transformation initiatives and perceived performance against a core set of digital business attributes.

Additional resources

• Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index II local results and additional information on the 2016 Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index
• Additional information on Dell Technologies Realizing 2030 program
• Follow the latest news on Twitter from @DellTech, @Dell, @DellEMC and @DellSmbCA

About Dell Technologies  

Dell Technologies is a unique family of businesses that provides the essential infrastructure for organizations to build their digital future, transform IT and protect their most important asset, information. The company services customers of all sizes across 180 countries – ranging from 99 percent of the Fortune 500 to individual consumers – with the industry’s most comprehensive and innovative portfolio from the edge to the core to the cloud.

About Vanson Bourne

Vanson Bourne is an independent specialist in market research for the technology sector. Its reputation for robust and credible research-based analysis is founded upon rigorous research principles and an ability to seek the opinions of senior decision makers across technical and business functions, in all business sectors and all major markets. For more information, visit www.vansonbourne.com.

Contact

Jessica Benzinger

Proof Inc.

[email protected]

416-969-2726