Digital Vision for Wales Unveiled

Atos, an international leader in digital services, has unveiled a new ‘Digital Vision for Wales’ opinion paper which highlights the range of opportunities available through digital transformation that will, with the help of the Welsh Government, drive competitive advantage in a global economy and improve the lives of citizens by building a better connected, more inclusive society.

Covering topical themes such as innovation, speed of digital change, integrated services, big data and cyber security, this Digital Vision for Wales features contributions from influential figures from Wales’ public and private sectors and Atos on the need to improve public services, deliver greater efficiency and enhance citizen experiences.

Outside of London, Wales has the fastest growing digital economy in Britain, with the number of digital businesses up by almost 10% in 2015. The IT sector in Wales employs around 24,000 people and is predicted to contribute around £1.5 billion to the economy over the next five years. Expectations of digital and economic acceleration for the nation are further heightened with plans to develop an ‘Internet Coast’ along the Swansea Bay.

In addition, independent research commissioned by Atos found that it is not only Welsh businesses that are realising the benefits of a more focused approach to digital services but that Welsh citizens are also embracing change. The report found that 20% of respondents in the country actively seek out new digital services and applications, just behind London, the South East and the Midlands.

Commenting on the paper, Mark Donovan, Client Executive Wales at Atos said: “From being able to access everyday services online, supporting travellers at every stage of their journey to digital healthcare and education, the possibilities for digital transformation are exciting.

“Our research shows that the appetite is there – especially among Wales’ discerning, and demanding service users.

“The digital revolution has the power to change lives and strengthen our society, but won’t be fully effective if it is constrained by ‘old-world’ technologies, approaches and ideas.”

David Jones, Public Sector Digital Consultant: “This is a job for both the executive and elected leaders across local Government – digital might feel uncomfortable, but they need to be brave and look up from the day-to-day in order to drive change.

“The digital agenda has moved on from being merely important, it’s now critical; not just for delivering better services at lower cost, digital can also create safer services. The failure to shift to digital implies that Councils are out-of-touch with their citizens.”

The Digital Vision for Wales also considers game-changing approaches for Government on areas such as transport networks, connected care, future delivery of education and creating a digital ecosystem for citizens.

For further information contact:

Karen Halley
0131 225 7700/ 07841128150
khalley@3×1.com

Jackie McColl
0141 221 0707/ 07710 651 973
jmccoll@3×1.com

To view the report please visit the Atos UK website

Research information

Key findings for ‘Demanding Digital: Wales in focus’ are taken from our Atos UK wide independently commissioned report, Demanding Digital: The Rise of the Digitally Discerning Consumer.

3,150 consumers and citizens were asked to reveal what drives them to digital services and, crucially, what causes them to walk away and disengage.

In the full report we explore consumers’ and citizens’ attitudes towards and experiences of digital services across ten public and private sector markets.

Atos’ Digital Vision for Wales has been developed to understand how Welsh citizens and consumers behave in comparison to the rest of the British Isles.

Download the full report: uk.atos.net/demanding-digital

Digital Vision for Wales – Contributors:

Gavin Thomson – Senior Vice President, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, Atos

David Jones – CEO, Westgate Cyber/Public Sector Digital Consultant – Welsh Government

Mark Donovan – Client Executive – Wales, Atos

Steve Thomas – CBE Chief Executive, Welsh Local Government Association

Samantha Toombs – Account Manager – Wales, Atos

Cathy Owens – Director, Deryn Consulting

Gwawr Booth – Managing Director, Portal Educational Trainers

Elaine Bennett – Partner, Atos Consulting (Healthcare)

Sandy Forrest – Client Executive, UK&I Cyber Security, Atos

Business Services Association

Sir Terry Matthews – Chairman, Mitel

Swansea Bay ‘Internet Coast’

Creating an ‘Internet Coast’ in south west Wales to drive the digital future of energy, technology and healthcare is at the heart of a £500m city deal plan.

Swansea Bay City Region’s chairman Sir Terry Matthews aims to transform these sectors in the same way the internet changed telecom.

The blueprint is to create up to 33,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

About Atos

Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is a leader in digital services with pro forma annual revenue of circa EUR 12 billion and 100,000 employees in 72 countries including the UK & Ireland where around 9,000 employees deliver business technology solutions for some of the largest public and private sector partners. On a global scale, the Group provides Consulting & Systems Integration services, Managed Services & BPO, Cloud operations, Big Data & Cyber-security solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payments and transactional services industry. With its deep technology expertise and industry knowledge, the Group works with clients across different business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications, and Transportation. Atos is focused on business technology that powers progress and helps organizations to create their firm of the future. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and is listed on the Euronext Paris market. Atos operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline. www.atos.net | Follow @Atos