Strategic Focus: How COVID-19 Boosted Digital Strategies For Industrial Firms

Access this research

Access all Industrial Transformation Leaders content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance


Executive Summary

This report examines how industrial firms have moulded their digital strategies around COVID-19 restriction challenges, using data from the 2020 editions of the Verdantix EHS and Operational Excellence surveys. Despite the issues firms have experienced owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have chosen to accelerate their digitization initiatives.  Providers of digital technology including industrial software suppliers shifted their priorities to  help customers handle pandemic specific tasks, either through development of existing solutions or through standalone COVID-related releases. Technology for remote and safe operations received a large amount of investment during the pandemic. However, despite increased spend on digital strategies within firms striving for operational excellence, certain adoption trends will normalize as vaccination efforts reduce COVID-19 outbreaks, while others will maintain their momentum over 2021 and 2022. 
COVID-19 Stimulates Digital Strategies For Industrial Firms  
COVID-19 Accelerates Operational Excellence And EHS Digitization Initiatives 

COVID-19 Spurs Adoption Of Innovative Technology  
Vendors Readjust Their Offerings To Cover Pandemic Usage Scenarios 
COVID-19 Expedites Investment In New Technology For Remote Operations
Adoption Trajectory Of Newly Implemented Technology Will Vary By Use Case Over The Next Two Years 
Figure 1. Impact Of COVID-19 And Recession On Digitization Of Operational Excellence Initiatives
Figure 2. Impact Of COVID-19 On Digital Technology
Figure 3. Growth, Normalization And Decline Of Use Cases In The Next Two Years

About the Authors

Hugo Fuller

Hugo Fuller

Senior Analyst

Hugo is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix Industrial Transformation practice. His current research agenda explores the technologies within the industrial asset management soft…

View Profile
Malavika Tohani

Malavika Tohani

Research Director, Industrial Transformation

Malavika leads the Verdantix Industrial Transformation practice. Her current research agenda focuses on digital technologies for Operational Excellence including digital twins…

View Profile