F5: How AI & Hybrid Apps Reshape Enterprise Digital Maturity

At a time when digital transformation is no longer optional, a clear divide is emerging between organisations at the forefront of technological adoption and those lagging behind. 

The F5 2024 Digital Enterprise Maturity Index (DEMI) report has uncovered an increase in organisations classified as highly digitally mature compared to the previous year, highlighting the accelerating pace of digital transformation and the widening gap between leaders and followers in this space.

The report uncovered a sevenfold increase in organisations classified as highly digitally mature compared to the previous year, highlighting the accelerating nature of digital transformation and the widening gap between leaders and followers.

At the core of this transformation are hybrid applications: software solutions that operate across multiple environments, including on-premises data centres, public clouds and edge locations. These applications exemplify the flexibility and scalability that modern enterprises require to remain competitive in today's dynamic business landscape.

According to the DEMI report, a large majority of digitally mature organisations – referred to in the report as ‘doers’ – are leveraging hybrid apps with components in at least two distinct environments, allowing them to optimise for both performance and cost.

“Digitally mature organisations are increasingly defined by flexible infrastructures that stretch across core, cloud and edge locations,” said Lori MacVittie, Chief Evangelist and Distinguished Engineer at F5. “That means tackling the complexity introduced by different frameworks, as well as APIs and consoles. It is encouraging that this year’s ‘doers’ are rising to the challenge, investing in hybrid apps that allow them to optimise deployment for both performance and cost. This is also a key indicator of AI readiness.”

The growing influence of Gen AI

The increase in digital maturity is intrinsically linked to the growing influence of generative AI (Gen AI), as organisations strive to harness the power of AI to drive innovation and efficiency.

As a result, the ability to manage and leverage data effectively has become paramount, with the DEMI report revealing that the vast majority of digitally mature organisations are either maintaining multiple data stores or consolidating into a single data lake. This focus on data observability and governance is crucial for training AI models and deriving actionable insights that can drive business success.

“Data governance is now at the forefront of the digital transformation agenda,” explains MacVittie. “The way companies generate, collect, process and retrieve their data will be crucial to harnessing the power of AI, and it’s not a simple process. Most organisations still need to improve when it comes to getting their data in order, but there is clear recognition that this is fundamental to the long-term digital agenda.”

Security continues to be an issue

However, as enterprises become more digitally sophisticated, they also face increased security risks, which must be addressed to maintain the integrity of their digital infrastructure. The report highlights a notable security gap between the most and least digitally mature companies, with mature organisations not only implementing more robust security measures but also expressing greater confidence in their ability to repel threats.

The adoption of zero trust principles, driven by the growing reliance on AI, is particularly prevalent among digital leaders, with a significant majority of mature organisations embracing this security approach.

Automation plays a crucial role in achieving digital maturity, with the DEMI report underscoring its importance across various aspects of IT operations. A majority of ‘doers’ have implemented automated systems that can execute scripts based on conditions and push delivery and security policies, enabling them to respond quickly to changing conditions and maintain a competitive edge in their respective markets.

“While AI is primarily an opportunity for organisations, its power in the hands of threat actors cannot be underestimated,” adds MacVittie. “The ability to launch sophisticated attacks is increasingly becoming open to anyone with modest prompt engineering skills, and companies must respond accordingly. With increasingly complex and distributed infrastructure, as well as growing pools of data, security and digital maturity must go hand-in-hand.”

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