A new report highlights that while 74% of industrial companies consider digital ecosystems a strategic priority, only 27% are effectively sharing data, revealing a significant gap in readiness for connected, data-led operations essential for productivity and decarbonisation.
AVEVA and IMD Business School are pressing a familiar point with new urgency: industrial firms are talking more seriously about digital ecosystems, but most are still not set up to use them properly.
In the inaugural Industrial Intelligence Report on Digital Ecosystems and the Future of Connected Industries, unveiled at AVEVA World 2026 in Milan, the two organisations say the industry case for connected operations is clear, yet execution remains patchy. The survey, which drew on responses from more than 275 senior executives across 12 industries, found that 74% regard digital ecosystems as a top strategic priority. But only 27% said their organisations share data substantially or extensively with ecosystem partners.
That gap matters for industrial decarbonisation as much as for productivity. AVEVA and IMD argue that companies are increasingly looking to connected, data-led operating models to manage supply-chain disruption, speed innovation and meet emissions targets that increasingly depend on collaboration beyond the factory gate.
The report defines industrial intelligence as the ability to combine operational technology, information technology and artificial intelligence to support joined-up decision-making across industrial networks. In practice, that means moving beyond isolated systems and towards a model where data can flow across suppliers, operators and infrastructure partners in near real time.
Yet the study suggests most companies are still struggling with the basics. Legacy systems, difficult integration work and weak governance were identified as the main barriers to wider data sharing. IMD says the problem is not a shortage of ambition, but an underinvestment in the operational foundations needed for ecosystem models to work.
That finding aligns with a broader message from the report: the obstacle is structural rather than strategic. In other words, many organisations already understand the value of digital ecosystems, but have not built the processes, standards and leadership habits needed to capture it.
Caspar Herzberg, chief executive of AVEVA, said the collaboration with IMD is intended to help companies move from siloed operations towards more adaptive business models. Michael Wade, director of IMD’s Global Center for Digital and AI Transformation, said governance, integration and organisational learning matter more at this stage than algorithms, arguing that the next phase will depend on better data sharing, clearer roles and more deliberate leadership.
The report also points to real-world examples, including the Port of Rotterdam and Australia’s Kwinana industrial region, where connected systems are being used to improve coordination and resilience. Those case studies are particularly relevant for heavy industry and energy users, where decarbonisation increasingly depends on visibility across logistics, utilities and adjacent industrial sites.
AVEVA, which is based in Cambridge and provides industrial software used by energy, manufacturing and infrastructure companies, says more than 90% of leading industrial enterprises use its technologies. IMD, based in Lausanne, has framed the research as part of a wider effort to understand how connected business ecosystems can support growth, productivity and decarbonisation.
For industrial leaders, the message is blunt: digital ecosystems are now seen as essential, but most firms are still not ready to operate in them.
- https://techmoran.com/2026/05/21/aveva-imd-warn-of-digital-ecosystem-gap-despite-industrial-ai-push/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.aveva.com/en/about/news/press-releases/2026/aveva-launches-the-first-ever-industrial-intelligence-report-with-imd-business-school-on-digital-ecosystems-and-the-future-of-connected-industries/ – AVEVA and IMD Business School have released the inaugural Industrial Intelligence Report, highlighting the critical role of digital ecosystems in future competitiveness. The report reveals that while 74% of executives view digital ecosystems as a top strategic priority, only 27% share data extensively with ecosystem partners. Key barriers identified include legacy infrastructure, integration complexity, and weak governance frameworks. The study defines ‘industrial intelligence’ as the integration of operational technology, information technology, and artificial intelligence to support connected, data-driven decision-making across industrial ecosystems.
- https://www.aveva.com/en/info/industrial-intelligence-report/ – AVEVA is collaborating with IMD, a leading global business school, on a groundbreaking research programme focusing on the power of business ecosystems to drive growth, productivity, and decarbonisation. The collaboration aims to provide insights into how industrial intelligence enables businesses to collaborate more effectively across the value chain to enhance performance. The flagship publication, the Industrial Intelligence Report, is scheduled for release in May 2026, offering a deep dive into how leading organisations are harnessing digital insights to power new and smarter ways of working.
- https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/strategy/we-know-that-digital-ecosystems-drive-value-but-most-organizations-are-failing-to-capture-it/ – A new report from IMD and AVEVA reveals that while digital ecosystems have the potential to drive value, most organisations are failing to capture it. The study indicates that organisations investing in digital ecosystem strategies often underinvest in the operational foundations necessary for these ecosystems to function effectively. The report highlights structural challenges as the primary obstacles, with competitive risk being a lesser concern. The findings underscore the need for organisations to focus on building robust operational foundations to realise the full potential of digital ecosystems.
- https://www.aveva.com/en/about/news/press-releases/2025/aveva-announces-new-research-collaboration-with-imd-exploring-the-role-of-industrial-intelligence-in-capturing-value-from-connected-business-ecosystems/ – AVEVA has initiated a three-year research collaboration with IMD Business School to explore how organisations can leverage industrial intelligence to build, orchestrate, and scale business ecosystems. The research aims to examine emerging trends and best practices that enable companies in sectors like manufacturing, energy, transport, and data centres to unlock insights from data, transcend silos, empower workers, and innovate at scale. The collaboration focuses on understanding how industrial intelligence can help organisations capture value from connected business ecosystems.
- https://www.aveva.com/en/about/news/press-releases/2024/aveva-launches-connect-the-worlds-leading-industrial-intelligence-platform-at-hannover-messe/ – AVEVA unveiled CONNECT, the world’s fastest-growing industrial intelligence platform, at Hannover Messe. CONNECT provides trusted and actionable insights to decision-makers across various sectors, empowering industrial leaders with a deeper understanding of their business. The platform unifies insights across the industrial ecosystem to drive performance, optimise efficiency, and maximise sustainability for increased ROI. Built on AVEVA’s trusted software, CONNECT integrates applications from diverse providers, including Schneider Electric, RIB, ETAP, and other partners.
- https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/sustainability/nurturing-the-digital-rainforest-why-business-ecosystems-hold-the-key-to-resilient-decarbonization/ – Digital ecosystems are transforming how industries decarbonise by linking data, AI, and shared infrastructure. Companies can cut emissions, boost resilience, and tackle Scope 3 impacts through collaboration. The article emphasises the importance of shared vision, integrated data, and robust regulatory frameworks in achieving a low-carbon, adaptive future. It highlights that openness and interoperability are essential to achieving carbon reduction at scale, and that collaboration within digital ecosystems is key to systemic decarbonisation.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on May 22, 2026, reporting on a report released on May 19, 2026. The TechMoran article is the earliest known publication of this information. The report is also available on AVEVA’s official website. ([aveva.com](https://www.aveva.com/en/about/news/press-releases/2026/aveva-launches-the-first-ever-industrial-intelligence-report-with-imd-business-school-on-digital-ecosystems-and-the-future-of-connected-industries/?utm_source=openai)) The content appears original, with no evidence of recycling from low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes from Caspar Herzberg and Michael Wade are included. These quotes are consistent with those found in AVEVA’s official press release. ([aveva.com](https://www.aveva.com/en/about/news/press-releases/2026/aveva-launches-the-first-ever-industrial-intelligence-report-with-imd-business-school-on-digital-ecosystems-and-the-future-of-connected-industries/?utm_source=openai)) No earlier instances of these exact quotes were found, suggesting they are original. However, the absence of independent verification raises some concerns.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from TechMoran, a niche publication. While it references AVEVA’s official press release, ([aveva.com](https://www.aveva.com/en/about/news/press-releases/2026/aveva-launches-the-first-ever-industrial-intelligence-report-with-imd-business-school-on-digital-ecosystems-and-the-future-of-connected-industries/?utm_source=openai)) the lack of independent reporting from major news organizations or other reputable sources diminishes the overall reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about the report’s findings align with AVEVA’s official press release. However, the absence of coverage by other reputable outlets raises questions about the newsworthiness and impact of the findings. The article’s tone and language are consistent with industry reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on a recent AVEVA-IMD report, but its reliance on AVEVA’s press release and the absence of independent verification from reputable sources raise significant concerns about its reliability and objectivity. The lack of coverage by major news organizations further diminishes confidence in the content’s credibility.
