The international Transformation Study 2025, commissioned by leading SAP consultancy NTT DATA Business Solutions and IT service provider Natuvion, reveals numerous other, sometimes surprising findings. The study was conducted by an independent market research institute, which surveyed 909 executives from 15 countries, including the DACH region, Scandinavia, the USA, the UK, France and Eastern Europe. The CEOs, CIOs and IT managers surveyed come from companies with a turnover of at least 150 million euros and share their impressions of ongoing or completed transformation projects. Over 75 percent of them work in organizations with more than 1,000 employees. The survey took place in February and March 2025.
AI as a driver and challenge of digital transformation
Artificial intelligence has become the driver par excellence for transformation projects, as the results of the study clearly show. This conviction is particularly pronounced in the DACH region, where almost every second company (49.5%) identifies AI as a key technology for the future. The enthusiasm for AI is also confirmed internationally: almost 90% of companies worldwide want to prepare themselves specifically for AI, be it to increase efficiency, promote innovation or improve customer service. Conversely, only 11.5 percent of respondents from the 14 countries believe that AI will not play a role – a decrease of almost 10 percent compared to the previous year.
However, there is still a discrepancy between ambition and implementation: The actual integration of AI into productive processes is still in its infancy in many places. Many companies lack the data quality, specialists and technological maturity to use AI effectively across the board. The Transformation Study 2025 therefore warns that the leap from the pilot phase to the strategic anchoring of AI must be actively shaped – with clear roadmaps, reliable data and focused implementation.
The focus is on people: communication, continuity and expertise
Digital transformation is not a purely technological project; it requires people and organizations. The Transformation Study 2025 shows that project communication, change management and team continuity are key success factors. At 33.1%, “continuity in the project team” is an important criterion, as is the development of transformation expertise (32.9%) and the establishment of cross-departmental communication (39.3%). In addition, 86% of companies now work with agile or hybrid project methods. The classic waterfall approach as the sole method now only plays a minor role (10.8%). Awareness of the importance of data security and data protection has also increased: 94% of companies rated data protection as an important or even decisive factor in their transformation project – a figure that is even higher in some regions such as the USA or Scandinavia. The shortage of skilled workers remains a challenge when it comes to the “human factor” – particularly pronounced in the DACH region, where 32% of companies were already struggling with staff shortages during project planning.
AI is driving the transformation – as the transformation study clearly shows. However, relying solely on technology does not do justice to the complexity. Successful change requires clear communication, stable teams and targeted skills development. Now more than ever, forward-looking leadership means thinking about technology and people together and driving change with a clear vision and defined goals, comments Norbert Rotter, CEO of NTT DATA Business Solutions AG.
Data as the foundation: no innovation without clean data
Analyzing existing IT and data landscapes remains by far the biggest challenge in project preparation (38.6%). Companies that carry out housekeeping projects for data cleansing in advance report significantly more successful target achievement (69.4%). In contrast, only 46.1% of companies without a clear data strategy achieved their targets. The quality of the data taken along is particularly relevant for brownfield approaches – where existing systems are modernized. 47% of respondents see data quality as a decisive factor in the success of their transformation.
Cloud as a strategic platform – not just a cost driver
A large proportion of the companies surveyed used their transformation to expand cloud services. The most important reason for this was faster and more direct access to technological innovations (49.1%), such as AI or automation solutions. This makes the cloud a platform for innovation, agility and scalability. Success depends largely on how well companies dovetail their cloud strategy with operational and technological goals. Those who view the cloud merely as an IT operating model are wasting innovation potential.
Data quality is not a detail, it is the basis of all modern IT – as the results of the transformation study make abundantly clear. Without reliable data, cloud, AI and innovation remain piecemeal, states Patrick Dahse, Managing Director of Natuvion GmbH, which has been part of NTT DATA Business Solutions since August 2022. He recommends: “Companies need to take a strategic approach to data: with governance, housekeeping and skills development. If you are serious about transformation, you start with the data, not afterwards.”
About NTT DATA Business Solutions
NTT DATA Business Solutions is a leading global IT service provider with a focus on SAP and a powerful partner network. With more than 35 years of experience, we support companies worldwide on their way to the Intelligent Enterprise. We deliver end-to-end solutions that sustainably accelerate growth and success – from strategic consulting and implementation to managed services and beyond. As a global strategic SAP partner, we drive innovation and use the latest technologies to advise our customers individually and across industries. Our more than 16,500 dedicated employees in over 30 countries are at work every day.
NTT DATA Business Solutions is part of NTT DATA. Headquartered in Tokyo, the trusted global business and technology leader generates revenues of over 30 billion US dollars. As One NTT DATA, we serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and help our clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. NTT DATA is part of the NTT Group.
About Natuvion
Natuvion is a digital relocation company. Natuvion moves business-critical data and processes from one technological platform to another! The Natuvion experts are always called upon when medium-sized and large companies want to modernize, optimize, separate, merge or rebuild their IT systems! This exclusive expertise in technical transformation enables Natuvion customers to always use their data and processes on the most modern and innovative technologies. As Inc. 5000 and FT 1000, the Natuvion Group has been one of the most dynamically growing software and IT consulting companies in Europe for 4 years in a row now.
– – – – – –
Further links
👉 https://nttdata-solutions.com
Photo: NTT DATA
