- 56,7% of companies cite new technologies, and artificial intelligence in
particular, as the main driver of their IT transformation. - Technology alone is not enough: Digital transformation succeeds with teamwork, experience, agility, and data protection.
- For the fourth time in a row, 47% see poor data quality as the number one obstacle to transformation.
- Companies want to remain innovative through transformation – and therefore use cloud services more frequently.
Bielefeld/Walldorf, Germany — The motivations for digital transformation in companies are changing: While concrete business objectives such as cost reduction or organizational optimization dominated in recent years, the introduction of new technologies – above all artificial intelligence (AI) – is the number one transformation motive by a wide margin in 2025 (56.7%). In a particularly significant development, 39.4% of companies state that AI was a key driver of their transformation – a sharp increase compared to 2024 (25%). This marks a clear turning point.
Numerous other and, in some cases, surprising findings are revealed in the international Transformation Study 2025, commissioned by the leading SAP consulting firm NTT DATA Business Solutions in conjunction with IT service provider Natuvion. The study was conducted by an independent market research institute, which surveyed 909 managers from 15 countries, including the DACH region, Scandinavia, the USA, the UK, France, and Eastern Europe. The CEOs, CIOs and IT managers surveyed come from companies with a turnover of at least 150 million euros and share their impressions of ongoing or completed transformation projects. Over 75% of them work in organizations with more than 1,000 employees. The survey was conducted in February and March 2025.
AI as a driver and challenge of digital transformation
Artificial intelligence has become the primary driver for transformation projects, as the results of the study clearly demonstrate. This belief is particularly pronounced in the DACH region, where almost half of companies (49.5%) identify AI as a key technology for the future. Enthusiasm for AI is also evident on an international scale: Almost 90% of companies worldwide want to prepare themselves specifically for AI, whether to increase efficiency, promote innovation, or improve customer service. Conversely, only 11.5% of respondents from the 14 countries believe that AI will play no role – a decrease of almost 10% compared to the previous year.
However, discrepancies still exist between ambition and implementation: In many places, the actual integration of AI into productive processes is still in its infancy. Many companies lack the data quality, specialist personnel, and technological maturity required to use AI comprehensively and effectively. The 2025 Transformation Study thus serves as a warning: The leap from the pilot phase to the strategic integration of AI must be actively shaped – with clear roadmaps, reliable data, and focused implementation.
Focus on people: communication, continuity, and competence
Digital transformation is not a purely technological undertaking, but also places demands on people and organizations. The 2025 Transformation Study shows that project communication, change management, and team continuity are critical success factors. With 33.1%, “continuity in the project team” is an important criterion, as is the development of transformation expertise (32.9%) and the establishment of cross-departmental communication (39.3%). In addition, 86% of companies now work with agile or hybrid project methods. The classic waterfall approach, as a standalone method, now only plays a minor role (10.8%). Awareness of the importance of data security and data protection has also increased: 94% of companies rated data protection as an important or even decisive factor in their transformation project – a figure that is even higher in some regions, such as the USA or Scandinavia. The shortage of skilled workers remains a challenge when it comes to the all-important “human factor,” and this is particularly pronounced in the DACH region, where 32% of companies had to contend with staff shortages as early as the project planning phase.
“AI is driving transformation – the Transformation Study shows this very clearly. However, those who focus solely on technology will fail to address the complexity of such projects. Successful transformation requires clear communication, stable teams, and targeted skills development. Today more than ever, forward-looking leadership means thinking about technology and people together and driving change with a clear vision and defined goals,” says Norbert Rotter, CEO of NTT DATA Business Solutions AG.
Data as a foundation: no innovation without clean data
Analyzing existing IT and data landscapes remains by far the biggest challenge in project preparation (38.6%). Companies that conduct housekeeping projects to cleanse data in advance are significantly more likely to report successful target achievement (69.4%). In contrast, the goal achievement rate for companies without a clear data strategy is only 46.1%. Particularly in the case of brownfield approaches, which involve the modernization of existing systems, the quality of the data that is retained and transferred is crucial. 47% of respondents see data quality as a key success factor in their transformation.
Cloud as a strategic platform – not just a cost driver
The majority of companies surveyed used their transformation to expand cloud services. The most important motivation was faster and easier access to technological innovations (49.1%), such as AI or automation solutions. The cloud is thus becoming a platform for innovation, agility, and scalability. Success depends largely on how well companies dovetail their cloud strategy with their operational and technological goals. Those who view the cloud merely as an IT operating model are wasting innovation potential.
“Data quality is not a detail, it is the basis of all modern IT – the results of the transformation study make this abundantly clear. Cloud, AI, and innovation remain piecemeal without reliable data,” states Patrick Dahse, CEO of Natuvion GmbH, which has been part of NTT DATA Business Solutions since August 2022. He recommends: “Companies need to approach data strategically: with governance, housekeeping, and competence development. If you are serious about transformation, you start with the data. It should never be an afterthought.”
You can find the full results of “Transformation Study 2025” here.
About NTT DATA Business Solutions
NTT DATA Business Solutions is a leading global IT service provider focused on SAP with a powerful ecosystem of partners. With more than 35 years of in-depth experience, we enable companies worldwide to become Intelligent Enterprises. We deliver end-to-end solutions that accelerate sustainable growth and success – from strategic consulting and implementation to managed services and beyond. As a global strategic SAP partner, we drive innovation and leverage the latest technologies to support our customers individually and across all industries. Our more than 16,000 dedicated employees in over 30 countries work passionately every day to make it happen.
NTT DATA Business Solutions is part of NTT DATA, a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services headquartered in Tokyo. As One NTT DATA we serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping customers innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group.
About Natuvion
Natuvion is a digital relocation company. Natuvion moves business-critical data and processes from one technological platform to another! The Natuvion experts are always consulted when medium-sized and large companies want to modernise, optimise, separate, merge or rebuild their IT systems! This exclusive expertise in technical transformation enables Natuvion customers to always utilize their data and processes on the most modern and innovative technologies. As Inc. 5000 and FT 1000, the Natuvion Group has been one of the most dynamically growing software and IT consulting companies in Europe for 4 consecutive years.
Press Contact NTT DATA Business Solutions
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NTT DATA Business Solutions AG
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