Brits Are Ready For A “Digital By Default” Nation In 2015

People of the UK are ready for a nation that is digital by default, according to a new study by tech giant Fujitsu.

According to the research, over a fifth of Britons will always opt for a digital first approach when a digital service is offered.

Their reasoning behind this is a desire to speed up and simplify everyday processes.

According to Fujitsu, its study demonstrates that Britain is a “digitally confident” nation that is seeking to move faster towards a digital future.

The firm also claims that the General Election coming up in May might be affected by this need for digital, with 20% of its study participants saying that they would vote for a political party if it focused on digital policies.

“We are speeding towards a digital-first Britain. From click and collect through to renewing our road tax online, the wealth of digital services available has driven great behavioural change in the UK,” claimed Fujitsu’s UK and Ireland CEO Michael Keegan.

“We are now more confident in our ability to use the services offered, we understand the benefits and as such, it is consumers themselves pushing organisations to create a digital future,” Keegan added.

People Are “Comfortable” With Digital Technology

Of those surveyed, 63% said they were comfortable with the digital services offered to them by organisations overall.

However, Fujitsu claims there are still many barriers that prevent the UK from becoming a truly digital-first nation.

Brits mainly want to see improvements in the digital public sector – 24% of respondents said local government was a key sector that must improve quickly to remain relevant, while 20% said the same about central government.

“While Britain is on the right path for digital greatness, the message here is clear – education is essential,” claimed CEO of the Digital Catapult Neil Crockett.

“For Britain to become truly ‘digital by default’ organisations from the government to private organisation bodies must work together to ensure digital inclusion is a reality for all.

“Only by collaborating and facing this issue head on can we ensure Britain becomes a digital-first nation, taking its place on the world state as a leader in digital services and an example to the rest of the world,” Crockett added.

Fujitsu believes that education is key to ensuring the future of digital in the country, but those participating in the study think it is currently lacking.

Just a quarter felt that enough was being done in Britain to educate citizens on digital services and 54% want to see the government to do more to prepare citizens for the digital future.

Education “Key” Factor

Meanwhile, a third of respondents said that the organisation that provides the digital service should be the one to educate them.

“The UK’s digital future is, in some ways, just beginning. For it to continue at this pace, organisations have a responsibility to continue creating digital services that simplify the customer experience,” claimed Keegan.

“At the same time, there is little evidence to suggest that the UK will become a digital-only nation; instead citizens have shown a desire for access to a wealth of services, across all channels, enabling them to make their own decision on the digital services they adopt and when they choose to do so,” he added.

© 24N.biz