by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH African businesses have embraced the internet of things (IoT) but adoption is hindered by a lack of clarity among stakeholders on digital transformation plans.

This is according to industry executive, Alexander Jenewein, as IoT emerges as technical priority ahead of other major focus areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence.

“In South Africa, the appetite for IoT is growing, and many businesses have established a transformation charter,” the Hitachi Vantara Managing Director, said.

“…Yet the adoption of IoT is still fairly slow because stakeholders aren’t clear on the outcomes of their digital transformation plan,” he said at a round table event in Johannesburg.

He said globally, 33 percent of business executives listed IoT as a technological priority but businesses are still frustrated by how to benefit from this technology.

“There’s no doubt that IoT is quickly becoming the digital transformation end game,” Jenewein said.

Jenewein urged businesses to start implementing technology solutions with actual business outcomes in mind.

“Hitachi Vantara’s recent rebrand is uniquely positioned to take businesses on their digital transformation journeys,” he said.

Hitachi Vantara offers analytics, industrial expertise and technology.

This new company unifies the operations of Hitachi Data Systems, Hitachi Insight Group and Pentaho into a single integrated business aimed at capitalising on Hitachi’s social innovation capability in operational and information technologies.
– Guardian