A recent study commissioned by Eaton, a global leader in intelligent power management, reveals that companies are increasingly willing to move away from legacy technologies in favor of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to gain significant benefits. The study, conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence, surveyed leaders in digital transformation from the data center, utilities, buildings, and manufacturing sectors across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The results, featured in Eaton’s second Brightlayer research report, highlight the rapid development of digitalization strategies within these industries.
Only 23% of respondents now see legacy technology as a barrier to digitalization, a significant decrease from 33% in 2022. This 10% shift in perspective within less than two years is attributed to the growing potential of AI and ML applications to drive business transformation.
Mark Roces, Eaton’s vice president of digital offer management, commented on the findings, emphasizing the urgency for businesses to adopt digital technologies that leverage AI and ML. He noted that the data center sector will play a key role in this transformation, as sectors like utilities, commercial buildings, and manufacturing rely on data centers to advance their AI strategies. Digitalization will also be crucial for these sectors to meet decarbonization goals set by regulations, many of which are aligned with the UN’s 2050 net zero target.
Key sector-specific findings include:
Data centers are focusing on facility upgrades (42.3%), expanding capacity (38.6%), and improving IT asset performance (32.8%) to meet growing demand. Utilities face challenges with outdated infrastructure (55%) but expect significant increases in grid capacity requirements over the next decade, with 40% predicting a need for up to 49% more capacity. Manufacturers see AI as a key driver for decarbonization and improving environmental, sustainability, and governance (ESG) performance (66%), while also enhancing energy monitoring (55%) and applications like digital twins (68%) and predictive maintenance (64%). Building operators are prioritizing digital transformation to achieve sustainability targets, with 46% focusing on energy optimization and 54% of large building owners planning to install building management systems within the next year. Many see AI as a tool for predicting space utilization (66%). Only 23% of respondents now see legacy technology as a barrier to digitalization, a significant decrease from 33% in 2022. This 10% shift in perspective within less than two years is attributed to the growing potential of AI and ML applications to drive business transformation.
Mark Roces, Eaton’s vice president of digital offer management, commented on the findings, emphasizing the urgency for businesses to adopt digital technologies that leverage AI and ML. He noted that the data center sector will play a key role in this transformation, as sectors like utilities, commercial buildings, and manufacturing rely on data centers to advance their AI strategies. Digitalization will also be crucial for these sectors to meet decarbonization goals set by regulations, many of which are aligned with the UN’s 2050 net zero target.
Key sector-specific findings include:
Eaton’s Brightlayer software simplifies digitalization for businesses, enabling them to leverage AI, ML, and big data insights for more efficient decision-making and optimized power management.
Click here to receive the Eaton’s 2024 Brightlayer research report
Click here to receive the Eaton’s 2024 Brightlayer research report