According to IT News Africa, chief executive officers (CEOs) will be putting pressure on their CIOs to deliver on platform-based business models and new partnership ecosystems in 2018.

In 2018, a digital business transformation will be played out at scale, sparking change in technology platforms and operating models.

CIOs will be expected to lead digital efforts by CEOs; closing the digital skills gap, and linking arms with better positioned executive peers.

By the end of 2018, around 40% of the revenues of global industrial firms will be based on asset usage or other software-enabled service schemes, according to IT News Africa.

In addition, more aggressive companies will shift their traditional business models into business platforms, reaching customers directly.

According to the news website, CIOs will need to gear up their underlying technologies and supplier relationships in order to meet the new business models, replicating the agility of smaller, non-listed companies.

Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things will also remain a focus for CIOs next year, although those expecting major upheavals from blockchain-based networks will be disappointed, according to IT News Africa.

Written by Leah Alger