As enterprises wrestle with digital transformation and modernization, there are three technological developments that continue to push companies forward: automation, cloud technologies and containers, according to Doug Armbrust (pictured), vice president of Global Technology Services and cloud synergy at IBM.

“Ultimately … enterprises [are] working back from an objective, and that objective … [is] about being able to move and respond quickly,” he said. “It’s about being able to create innovation and accelerate innovation. That pressure on enterprise to meet those end expectations is really at the heart of the modernization.”

Armbrust spoke with Dave Vellante, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio, during IBM Think. They discussed the three important ways that companies are modernizing for digital transformation. (* Disclosure below.)

Automation, cloud, containers for modernization

So how does automation, the cloud and containers play into the march toward modernization for many businesses to help accelerate innovation and customer experience? Because of COVID-19, it’s easy to see that those companies who had already modernized with more deeply automated capabilities were more prepared for the frantic transition to remote work during the pandemic, according to Armbrust.

“They were able to quickly shift to work from home; they were able to deliver on new client experiences,” Armbrust said. “Those who couldn’t translate technology to immediate returns to … fuel that ongoing progress … had to make some hard decisions.”

Because of COVID-19, companies are now evaluating projects very carefully for the future, according to Armburst. In many cases, automation projects have been fast-tracked because companies see how important it is to automate. Then they’re taking that automation work and extending it into cloud services and containerized applications, which lead to the next, more longer-term stage of modernization.

“A lot of folks are looking at automation projects, particularly those that weren’t as well positioned for … a quick turn, and then taking that automation work and extending it into cloud and containers, as those initiatives progress,” Armburst concluded.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of IBM Think. (* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for IBM Think. Neither IBM, the sponsor for theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE