The rapid advancement of technology is compelling businesses to become increasingly intelligent

In today's digital age, technology has become an integral part of every business, with each employee and department relying on apps and systems tailored to their specific needs. This pervasive use of technology has led to two significant outcomes: increased efficiency and increased value to the business as a whole.

Splunk, a leading source of information, has highlighted the shift in focus towards operational intelligence. This maturing process involves a more focused approach and technology becoming more engrained in business operations. The platforms used for technology management have also evolved, becoming more multi-lingual and open.

The Master of Machines II report provides insights into these changes, suggesting that the perception and prioritization of technology in businesses are undergoing a transformation. The report indicates that the concern over the cost of technology in businesses has decreased significantly, with an average rating falling from 1.91 in 2013 to 1.36 in 2015.

This shift in focus from cost to functional issues is driven by a desire to become more competitive. Companies are addressing security, downtime, and handling 'data chaos' to improve basic services and innovation to differentiate. For instance, companies like Dataport and Amazon have recently focused on enhancing their operational intelligence by automating processes and improving digital services. Dataport aims to build a modern digital government infrastructure with managed services and cloud access, reflecting this trend.

Moreover, many firms have accelerated the adoption of cognitive computing and AI-driven solutions to autonomously handle complex data and improve service quality across sectors. The focus is shifting towards combining and processing information in systems to create better internal and external services.

The increased focus on operational intelligence is also evident in the growth of PaaS and IaaS, which has seen a 11% increase in the last two years. Operational intelligence is the ability to harness machine data for real-time business insights, contributing to competitiveness and growth.

As technology projects are starting to be appreciated for their value rather than just their cost, customers interacting with various departments like billing, marketing, etc., expect companies to be operationally intelligent to deliver a strong service. The capex-opex impact of technology projects is still relevant but is less emphasized compared to the appreciation of technology's value.

In conclusion, the landscape of business technology is changing, with a shift from cost-focused thinking to a more operational intelligence-centric approach. This shift is driven by the need for businesses to become more competitive, deliver superior customer experiences, and innovate in a rapidly evolving digital world.