105 VIEWPOINT Achieving transformation with ecosystem activation As technology advances, organisations are increasingly trying to harness the cloud for long-term results Cloud-enabled innovation is now a cornerstone of modern enterprise reinvention and a catalyst for AI-driven transformation. Businesses are no longer asking whether they should innovate in the cloud, but how to harness it for agility, scale and long-term resilience. To help answer this, Kyndryl launched its inaugural Cloud Innovation Survey, capturing insights from nearly 1,900 business and IT leaders across 14 countries and 16 industries. At the heart of the research is the Cloud Innovation Index, which identifies proven behaviours that deliver measurable outcomes. The study reveals a striking gap between leaders who consistently achieve their cloud goals, and those who currently struggle to realise or unlock its full potential. A key finding from the study is the power of ecosystem activation, a strategy that goes beyond infrastructure upgrades to prioritise collaboration, operational alignment and responsible AI implementation. It’s this strategic activation of the cloud ecosystem that defines the organisations best positioned to thrive. What sets leaders in ecosystem activation apart? Leaders are 15 times more likely to co-innovate with cloud providers and participate in early access programmes. They are also twice as likely to share roadmaps and leverage cloud partner programmes in their strategic planning. By doing this, they ensure solutions are tailored to their evolving needs. Secondly, 64 per cent of leaders say their cloud strategy is tightly aligned with their business roadmap. They collaborate with providers to streamline DevOps, enhance security and boost operational agility, turning cloud from a cost centre into a growth engine. Finally, 61 per cent of leaders use FinOps to promote accountability and transparency. Leaders optimise cloud spend and reinvest savings into innovation, fuelling a cycle of experimentation and growth. Kyndryl’s ongoing strategic partnership with Microsoft further reinforces these findings. We help organisations unlock greater value by combining cloud-native innovation with operational excellence. In addition, we support our customers in driving responsible AI adoption, accelerating cloud modernisation and activating partner ecosystems that fuel growth. At Microsoft Ignite, taking place on 18-21 November 2025 in San Francisco, USA, Kyndryl experts will showcase real-world customer success stories, innovations and solutions powered by AI and cloud, and how ecosystem activation is helping organisations lead with confidence in the AI era. Sunil Bhargava is senior vice president and global cloud practice Azure leader at Kyndryl SUNIL BHARGAVA: KYNDRYL
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