Development of as-a-service presents opportunities and threats for business
The introduction of as-a-service delivery models is affecting the way companies operate as they increasingly buy services to supplement their existing systems.
A new report by consultancy firm Accenture looks at how technologies such as cloud, automation, analytics, artificial intelligence and mobility have forever changed the way companies receive and deliver significant business value.
Among the findings are that 53 percent of senior vice presidents and above see as-a-service (AaS) being critical to their businesses. Yet despite this seven out of 10 enterprises don’t expect their core systems to be delivered on an as-a-service basis for five years. Interestingly small and medium businesses and Asia Pacific buyers are more likely to see AaS as critical.
"Every day our clients tell us they are under pressure to find new ways to create business value quickly," says Michael Corcoran Senior Managing Director of Accenture Operations, Growth & Strategy. "The marketplace has moved towards a new era of service delivery where applications, infrastructure and business processes are brought together and delivered 'As-a-Service'".
In order to achieve a successful transition to AaS the report says that businesses must be prepared to encounter resistance and manage change. They also need to learn to buy in new ways and focus on the leadership and talent needed to establish expertise across the business.
They need to blend analytics and automation strategies to deliver intelligent automation too. Currently 70 percent of companies have definitive plans for, or are considering, investments in analytics tools and skills. By contrast, only 40 percent are similarly advanced with their plans for robotic process automation.
Other recommendations include starting with a small AaS projetc before scaling it up to the rest of the business, and building a relationship with service providers and consultants to drive innovation.
You can find more information and the full report on the Accenture website and there's a summary of the findings in infographic form below.
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