According to the Global Digital Employee Experience Survey 2023 by Riverbed, manufacturing companies recognize the importance of a seamless DEX to attract digital natives. This is why they are providing CIOs with more resources now that they have greater influence on top management. In front of the shortage of global skills to manage modern systems and production processes, and to maintain quality standards, the sector’s CIOs intend to improve DEX within companies to remain competitive.
Riverbed: Manufacturing likes the evolved DEX
Conducted last May, the survey surveyed 1,800 IT decision makers (ITDMs) and business decision makers (BDMs) representing companies with annual revenues greater than $250 million, across 10 countries and 7 industries, including 350 industry leaders. manufacturing sector. The research analyzed generational expectations, the topic of hybrid work, the evolution of the role of IT, the challenges and strategies for offering an ideal DEX.
What an inadequate DEX entails
According to the report, 66% of manufacturing IT and business leaders surveyed say that failing to meet the digital experience demands of new generations could be disruptive. Additionally, 72% believe Millennial and Gen Z employees would consider the idea of leave a company faced with an inadequate DEX. Attract and hold back Talent for manufacturing companies is crucial as they focus on crucial technologies for smart factories, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual processes. That is, key differentiators to minimize supply chain challenges and resist periods of economic crisis.
Young people’s expectations in terms of Digital Experience
Today, Millennials and Gen Z represent 50% of the workforce, a number destined to reach 70% by 2030. As the new generations they hire important roles in the company, for 92% of the leaders interviewed, the pressure on IT resources is increasing to respond to the growing expectations of Digital Experience with more sophisticated technologies. Nearly all IT and business leaders (93%) say DEX investments are high on their list priority for the next 5 years. At the basis of the ability to provide a perfect DEX is Unified Observability, considered important by 95% of industry leaders to remain competitive and ensure an advanced DEX.
Riverbed: Manufacturing and the DEX
Jim Gargan, Cmo di Riverbed
The globalisation has brought about a profound transformation in the sector by intensifying competition in national and international markets. Manufacturing today requires higher levels of technology, innovation, advanced business models and processes. These must be supported by seamless digital experiences for all employees, including digital natives.The survey found that almost all manufacturing companies face at least one of the major ones obstacles to the realization of the DEX, but they are investing in technology, including observability and AI, to overcome these challenges. With the Alluvio Unified Observability suite, our industry customers can gain actionable insights and leverage automation to deliver a better Digital Experience, greater efficiency, quality and productivity.
The importance of IT is growing in the company
The survey also found that 93% of respondents agreed that IT is more responsible of corporate innovation today compared to three years ago. During the pandemic, leveraging technology to provide visibility into supply chains has been crucial to the company’s ability to ensure continuity. The importance of providing solutions that drive business forward brings greater recognition for IT. 80% of ITDMs and BDMs recognize the growing importance of IT by management.
Working methods are changing
To provide seamless digital experiences is critical allow employees to work from anywhere at any time. IT and business decision makers in the industry report that 44% of employees are working in a hybrid mode. 97% of respondents believe that the hybrid job offer better the ability to recruit talent and remain competitive. To ensure technology meets business needs, 89% say they plan to invest in technology in the next 12-18 months to support hybrid working.
Barriers to meeting digital expectations
96% of IT industry leaders indicated at least one obstacle important to the creation of an optimal DEX. Respondents identified the lack of IT talent/skills (41%) as the constraints of budget (36%), the lack of appropriate SaaS or cloud services (33%), the scarcity of adequate observability tools (30%) and the excessive amount of data (28%) are the obstacles that prevent them from offering a quality DEX to employees. Furthermore, IT managers in the industry struggle to find talents (35%). They also believe that employees lack the skills needed to perform current tasks (45%) and meet future requirements.
Riverbed: Manufacturing likes the evolved DEX
To address the problem, 87% have set aside a budget for redevelop IT staff. Upskilling will help address issues related to slow systems and applications and outdated technology, which directly impact growth and performance. To proactively monitor unpredictable network and application performance, 94% say they are necessary investments in Unified Observability solutions that provide useful insights to improve the DEX. Industry leaders also highlighted emerging and established technologies that they believe will be critical to the company in the next 18 months:
Cloud (49%); AI (48%); Automation (41%); Digital Experience Management (DEM) solutions (37%); Application and Network Acceleration technologies (34%).