Build a Smarter AI Strategy for Your Business
With the right strategy, IT decision-makers can close the gap between exploring AI and delivering enterprise-wide impact.
Turn rapid change into a lasting advantage
AI is already transforming industries: Predictive analytics help healthcare providers anticipate patient needs, automation optimizes manufacturing supply chains and chatbots streamline customer services in every field.
As AI adoption accelerates, organizations need more than ambition to stay competitive. Simply experimenting with the latest tools is no longer enough. It’s crucial for organizations to have a roadmap that connects these innovations to long-term business goals.
Whether you’re just digging in or scaling up solutions you’ve already invested in, defining your AI strategy is key to moving from isolated wins to enterprise-wide impact.
To achieve ROI, define your AI strategy ASAP
AI is advancing fast, but without a defined strategy, organizations risk chasing trends — a scenario where even the most advanced tools can fall short of delivering measurable impact. Creating an AI strategy that aligns with your long-term business goals is a new necessity. And the sooner you do it, the better. Gains await: Companies with a clear data and AI roadmap are 2.7x more likely to see positive ROI.1
of IT leaders report having good ideas for AI but struggle with execution2
have seen a 50% or smaller return on investment from their AI initiatives2
either don’t know what ROI they have achieved or haven’t seen a return2
Remove roadblocks to smarter AI adoption
Clearly, there’s tremendous opportunity to define a smarter path forward. What stops businesses from doing AI better?
Most don’t know where to start and encounter significant challenges once they do. A primary obstacle is the shortage of skilled personnel who can plan and bring these projects to fruition: 26% of organizations say talent and training are major pain points in planning and executing AI projects.2
Issues with data also hinder progress, as AI systems rely on high-quality, well-governed data to function effectively. And if stakeholders are hesitant about AI in the first place, organizations are at even more risk for underwhelming returns.
3 in 4 organizations have a documented AI strategy, but only 34% have achieved full deployment of their highest-priority AI projects2
9 in 10 organizations struggle with where to start, what solutions to use and how to govern AI lifecycle management2
Get the most from your AI architecture
Moving from one-off AI projects to a strategy that actually scales starts with understanding where your organization stands — how ready your data, infrastructure and teams really are. In these situations, an experienced, strategic technology partner is a game changer.
CDW helps organizations take that first step with a structured approach: assessing current capabilities, aligning stakeholders and identifying practical use cases. From there, we support execution through discovery workshops, cross-functional enablement and clear, scalable roadmaps toward outcomes that matter.
1
Assess current capabilities and workloads
2
Align stakeholders
3
Identify use cases
4
Prep infrastructure to support business goals
5
Ensure data trustworthiness and compliance
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Execute clear, scalable roadmaps
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Gain measurable outcomes
AI strategy can’t be a one-and-done initiative
It’s time to start thinking of your AI strategy as a crucial business capability — one that grows and adapts alongside your organization.
“We know there are going to be hundreds or even thousands of good ideas for AI. We need to understand all the other factors to help organizations determine if the idea is mature enough to achieve the results they want.”
Roger Campbell, CDW Digital Services Transformation Team
As a long-term strategic partner, CDW enables you to start small, demonstrate value early and remain flexible enough to scale. That way your AI investments keep delivering as your needs evolve.
Sources:
1 Globe Newswire, Coastal Cloud survey, April 2025
2 CDW AI Research Report, 2025