AVEVA, an international leader in engineering and industrial software, exhibits international survey findings identifying the key investment drivers of digital transformation throughout 1,240 EMEA, North America and APAC decision makers throughout nine industry verticals.

Middle East Organizations Demonstrate Lower Demand for AI than Global Trend
The Middle East demonstrated less demand for AI (45% vs global mean 75%) and Advanced Process and Engineering Design (44% vs global mean 74%) yet led global demand in 5 technologies, more than any other nation:

3D Visualization (59% vs global mean 27%)
IoT / Edge (56% vs global mean 30%)
Enterprise mobility (51% vs global mean 31%)
Model Simulations (50% vs global mean 25%)
Laser Scanning (41% vs global mean 21%)

New emerging technologies like AI are taking time to achieve traction in the Middle East so the research findings reflect what we are witnessing in the market. AI has the potential to disrupt markets in the Middle East by creating progressive new services and absolutely new business models. We are already witnessing its influence in Europe and North America throughout a number of industries and market sectors and we are assured that the trend will follow in the Middle East region. With the eruption of AI, some of the market leaders five to ten years time may be companies that are not even key players nowadays, commented Mohamad Awad, Regional VP for the Middle East, AVEVA.

Global Findings Unveiled:

The research additionally recognized three key global investment priorities for companies when it comes to embarking upon the digital transformation journey:

1. Making sense of information utilizing artificial intelligence and real time data visualization
The research highlighted a robust demand for technologies that offer predictive outputs from large data flows, with AI and Analytics listed as the most essential enabler (75%), closely followed by Real-Time Data Visualization (64%), Augmented, Virtual or Mixed Reality (60%) and Big Data Processing (59%).
AI was a top three enabler throughout all industries globally, with the huge significance assigned in Power and Utilities (81%) and Oil & Gas (particularly upstream 79% and midstream 78%).
Japan (88%) and China (84%) prioritised AI highest, with the UK (79%) and US (77%) following closely behind.

2. Fostering collaboration via Advanced Process and Engineering Design
Advanced Process and Engineering Design was the second most essential technology (74%) and was in the top three technology priorities throughout all industries globally, scoring best among Engineering, Procurement and Construction professionals.
This was perceived as an important technology for international production, ranked as the most essential enabler for Marine Ship Building (75%), Buildings/Infrastructure (74%) and Packaged Goods (73%), with Oil and Gas and Energy all ranking the technology highly.
Japan (85%) and Germany (82%) are early adopters with high significance attributed throughout all regions.

3. Stepping up cyber protection and safety capabilities
Cyber security was the third most prioritised technology enabler (71%) and in specific a focus for Mining (76%), Downstream Oil and Gas (75%), Power & Utilities (70%) and Marine (70%) and the highest priority for Planning & Scheduling specialists.
Improving Safety and Security through technology investment was a priority throughout all regions, with the Middle East (68%), Australia (63%) and India (60%) especially highlighting this issue.

For international corporates the two most valuable assets are their people and their data. Businesses nowadays have notable responsibility to safeguard employees and customers, with technology that gives the foresight to crucial failures earlier than they occur. Lisa Johnston, CMO, AVEVA commented, As digital transformation moves to the forefront of the industrial agenda, the power of technology to unify information and break silos is permitting experts to collaborate and alternate business models. The worlds most capital-intensive projects, from sustainable energy production and mining to smart factories and connected cities are now being designed, planned and delivered by global multidisciplinary teams all related seamlessly via technology.

Other findings from the research included:

Asset Performance Managers (APM) were discovered to have the most demanding needs for technology investment, requiring a far-reaching product set and visionary approach. APM was set apart from all other expert categories in the energy of their demand for technology to create new services or products; use facts to drive new revenue streams; and to enable collaboration with AI and Analytics their most important enabler. APM also recognized technology as offering an excellent potential to improve both safety and security and emergency response times.

Face to face engagement and trust continue to be key vectors for driving sales success. Face to face meetings with a vendor, either at a vendor event or as an introductory meeting, are most influential throughout all categories, with personal referrals also specifically meaningful. Experience with a vendor is especially prioritized in UK, China and India while France, Japan and Australia place considerable weight on case studies from the vendor.

Remote Operations Centers and Learning Management and Training scored perfect for relevance across global industries. China and Japan see a Command Center as most relevant, while the US and Australia cite Supply Chain Optimization is key to their business.

Delivering cost reduction and improving security prioritised by high growth organisations The countries prioritising value discount have been quick to scale over the previous decades - China (61%), India (58%) and the Middle East (60%) indicated that significant margin improvement is possible in these geographies from software solutions. This demand for greater effectivity mirrored a requirement to make investments in technology to promote safety as these economies continue to mature (China 51%, UAE 68% and India 60%).

This lookup was a chance to hear from both our present as well as possible new clients throughout the globe and our findings reflect the growing needs for technology solutions in the market globally. Emerging technologies like AI, Machine Learning and Edge Computing which are transforming the technology landscape with great data streams delivering operable output as well as authentic business outcomes for our clients nowadays, concluded Lisa Johnston.