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As firms expand their technology stacks, the increasing complexity associated with it becomes more of a hindrance than a help. Tools designed to extend productivity are often overwhelming and a juggling act for the average company over 300 SaaS applications. A bloated technology stack is not a sign of efficiency – it often signals wasted resources and reduced productivity. This dispersion of tools creates hidden costs, overlapping functionality, and lack of integration, which ultimately makes it difficult to thrive in a competitive market.
Ultimately, simplifying is not only about cutting back – it’s a strategic move to extend efficiency, foster agility, and stay ahead.
The hidden costs of complexity: How too many tools are dragging you down
For 88% of organizations reporting which is an increase from last yr, and 51% expect this trend to proceed, the increasing complexity of technology stacks is not just an IT problem. Its effects can be felt throughout the organization, impacting productivity, collaboration and even the customer experience.
Take employees for example. Research shows that employees spend as much as 22% time to navigate between different applications. They always struggle with application fatigue – switching between multiple tools, manually transferring data, or solving problems – which takes up time they may otherwise devote to meaningful work. Simpler systems allow employees to focus on high-value tasks moderately than spending time navigating tools.
At the same time, since most customer interactions now happen in digital spaces, fragmented customer data often results in inconsistent interactions. The lack of a seamless experience can lead customers to look for alternatives. Recognizing these challenges, 60% CISOs are already seeking to consolidate and optimize their tools by 2025. They recognize that a tangled technology stack can impact different layers of the business and are looking for ways to streamline this process to deliver higher digital experiences.
Moreover, the resource costs of managing a bloated technology stack far outweigh the advantages. Each tool comes with licensing fees, custom integrations, and maintenance overhead, which puts a strain on each financial and human resources. This inefficiency is visible, among others, 42% of enterprises they admit that they are paying for unused technology.
Solution? A centralized workflow that cuts through the chaos and enables teams to focus on what really drives growth.
A smaller tech stack for victory
An extensive technology stack may seem sophisticated, but it could indicate inefficiency. On the other hand, a streamlined, well-integrated technology stack increases efficiency and promotes innovation and resilience.
For example, the banking industry can simplify operations by moving from traditional fragmented infrastructure to banking-as-a-service models, eliminating the need for costly, stand-alone systems. Integrating mainframes with hybrid cloud systems can significantly improve transaction efficiency. This way, banks can reach recent markets faster with their services.
Similarly, the communications sector could also profit from consolidating tools similar to schedulers and automation scripts into a unified system. Relying on centralized monitoring and logging may also help IT teams quickly discover and resolve issues, significantly reducing resolution time. This not only optimizes resource utilization but also ensures more reliable service delivery.
A narrower technology stack also means savings. The fewer tools, the fewer vendor contracts and maintenance requirements. In fact, 61% firms are already unifying their technology stacks and reducing vendor complexity by partnering with reliable vendors that provide strong compliance and integration capabilities to make sure sustainable growth. Moreover, system integrations can significantly increase efficiency; According to reports According to Gartner and Forrester, organizations implementing integrations see a 40% reduction in operational costs and a 25% increase in productivity. Ultimately, a consolidated technology stack reflects simplicity, leaving more room for innovation.
Simplify, automate and scale
The way forward for IT success doesn’t just depend on how many tools you have and how well those tools work together. The basic strategy is to decide on platforms that support greater than one functionality, ensuring that each brings clear value and integrates with the broader infrastructure.
For example, for businesses using multiple devices and platforms, device management has turn into a critical area where unnecessary complexity can creep in. While a single device management solution could handle this diversity, many firms consciously or unconsciously purchase two or more solutions to administer separate operating systems – for example, one for Apple and one for Windows.
Companies can deal with this by selecting the right device management solution. For example, Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platforms are designed to administer a big selection of devices with support for all major operating systems. Today, UEM is a comprehensive solution for managing just about all endpoints used in a company – from mobile devices and desktops to IoT, POS systems and rugged devices. In addition to device management, it also manages security and compliance and integrates with other IT tools and software to make sure a seamless workflow between all IT components.
Achieving IT efficiency is not only a do-and-forget task. It is a continuous process that requires constant attention. Companies must usually audit their tools to make sure they are getting used effectively and integrate seamlessly with the existing system. It’s critical to avoid overlapping features and make sure each tool is aligned with your long-term goals and not only adding more for quick fixes. Remember that efficiency does not come from layering; comes from pruning, refining and optimizing because it grows.