Outdated tech obstructing innovation, says NTT DATA report

NTT DATA has released its 2024 Infrastructure Lifecycle Management Report, revealing that 80% of global organisations believe outdated technology obstructs innovation. The comprehensive study highlights the necessity of consistent management of technology infrastructure throughout its lifecycle—a process that can be both time-consuming and costly.

The report includes several key statistics. Notably, 100% of C-suite executives in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) concur that legacy infrastructure significantly impairs business agility. Additionally, 70% of currently active hardware in these regions will not be supported by 2027. Only 34% of enterprises in ANZ have fully aligned their technology strategy with their business needs, ranking them lowest among surveyed countries. Furthermore, 66% of ANZ organisations admit their network assets are predominantly ageing or obsolete.

The research, which spans data accumulated between 2022 and 2023, involved over 248 million active assets across 130 countries and input from nearly 1400 senior technology decision-makers. It underscores the challenges faced by organisations in maintaining their technology infrastructure as the rapid pace of modernisation and complex supplier ecosystems evolve. The report also suggests inefficient lifecycle management can lead to significant operational issues such as inappropriate coverage levels, prolonged incident resolution times, security vulnerabilities, and compliance problems.

Rob Lopez, Senior Vice President of Technology Solutions at NTT DATA, commented: "Infrastructure lifecycles are a critical part of the IT management process. They represent an opportunity and a challenge for leadership, as effective lifecycles can result in huge business benefits—from increased efficiency to fostering greater innovation. However, inefficient lifecycle management can equally be a meaningful operational blocker, posing numerous risks to security and business continuity. Through the Lifecycle Management Report, our aim is to help organisations enhance their infrastructure lifecycle processes and unlock the huge benefits doing so presents."

The 2024 Infrastructure Lifecycle Management Report provides actionable insights to help IT leaders navigate and mitigate the risks associated with infrastructure management. These include developing a comprehensive view of technology assets, standardising procurement practices, and optimising cost while improving service provision to stakeholders. Additionally, the report highlights the environmental benefits of improved lifecycle management practices.

Among the specific recommendations, the report advises creating a rationalised lifecycle approach to ensure adequate coverage and minimise labour-intensive renewal processes. It also suggests standardising procurement methods to streamline multi-vendor environments, which have become increasingly fragmented. Moreover, enhancing lifecycle management procedures can deliver sustainability benefits, an emerging focus for many organisations worldwide.

The report's findings underline the critical importance of infrastructure lifecycle management for business continuity and reducing operational risks. Given the rapid technological evolution and increasing complexity of IT ecosystems, organisations are urged to proactively enhance their lifecycle management strategies.