PRESS RELEASE: RIWI AND TGOA RELEASE FIRST GLOBAL DATA IMPACT INDEX

PRESS RELEASE: RIWI AND TGOA RELEASE FIRST GLOBAL DATA IMPACT INDEX

Out now: Global Data Impact Index (GD2I) 2026 

Meersburg (Germany) and Toronto (Canada), June 2026: Analyst house TGOA and Canada-based global trend-tracking and prediction technology firm RIWI announce the Global Data Impact Index (GD2I) 2026. The annual study is designed to measure and benchmark the impact of data on business success. Based on responses from companies across North America and Europe, the first edition reveals a significant gap between enterprise ambitions and operational reality, highlighting shortcomings in the processes required to create value from data.

Download the full report at www.globaldataimpactindex.com

Global Data Impact Index scores 64 out of 100 points

The Global Data Impact Index 2026 reaches an overall score of 64 out of 100 points across four key dimensions: data profile (17 out of 25 points), data governance (17 out of 25 points), data maturity (14 out of 25 points), and data potential (15 out of 25 points). The score distribution suggests that while companies have already developed a clear vision and concepts for leveraging data, operational execution continues to lag behind.

Data maturity emerges as the lowest-performing dimension

With just 14 out of 25 points, data maturity is the lowest-performing dimension of the Global Data Impact Index 2026. The dimension measures how effectively companies operationalize data through technology, internal processes, and organizational structures. The score is driven primarily by low levels of AI and automation adoption (12 out of 25 points) and limited capabilities managing the information supply chain (13 out of 25 points).

Ambitious goals meet structural challenges

When asked about their strategic and operational priorities, more than half of respondents (55.7%) identified exploring new business models as their most important objective; 52.0% aim to expand into new sales channels. Improving supply chain efficiency and resilience (19.0%) ranks as the highest-priority data initiative for 2026.

At the same time, internal processes and organizational structures are named as the most significant obstacle to achieving these objectives (33.7%), followed by limited knowledge about the right tools and systems (19.3%), slow decision-making processes (18.7%), the mindset of key employees and decision-makers (14.7%), and a lack of resources (13.7%).

"With the rise of AI, we see increasingly shorter innovation cycles, constantly filling tech vendors' product development pipelines," says Greg Wong, CEO of RIWI. "With the emergence of edge and agentic AI, transformation will need to happen in a much more fundamental way – not only on the product level but on the business model level, too. The findings of the Global Data Impact Index suggest that many organizations are still in the early stages of this journey."

"While internal processes and organizational structures are named as the biggest challenge, the study also reveals relatively low adoption rates for specialized systems such as PIM/PXM solutions and DAM platforms. This also points to a broader challenge around transformation priorities," says Carmela Melone, co-founder and senior analyst at TGOA. "For companies of the size represented in this study, such solutions can play an important role in establishing new processes, strengthening governance, and scaling information supply chains more effectively."

For media inquiries, contact: heads@tgoa.com

The full Global Data Impact Index 2026 report is available at www.globaldataimpactindex.com

About The Group of Analysts 

The renowned analyst house TGOA (The Group of Analysts) has been monitoring the enterprise software market with its unique “Market Performance Wheel” analysis methodology since 2010 with the aim of creating transparency for all. In addition, TGOA publishes the Analyst Atlas series, comprising regular research reports on digitalization topics and central software markets such as PIM, MDM, e-commerce, and DAM. Through in-depth thought leadership content, proven management frameworks, and consulting offerings, TGOA supports companies in finding their path toward a sustainable digital transformation.

About RIWI

RIWI is a market research platform and global trend-tracking and prediction technology firm. They provide the research industry’s only all-in-one, AI-powered research platform that combines traditional and novel methodologies to deliver quality insights on both conscious and nonconscious consumer behavior. With access to fast-changing consumer and citizen sentiment in all countries, RIWI breaks through noise and surface-level responses to find the truth about what people really think, want and observe. On a monthly or annual subscription basis, RIWI offers its clients full-service and DIY platform access.