Organizations struggle to keep pace with digital projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in the number of digital projects, but only 37 percent of organizations say they have the skills and technology to keep pace.

A new report from MuleSoft also shows that 82 percent of line of business (LoB) employees say they need quick and easy access to data, IT systems, and applications to do their jobs effectively and remain productive.

More 59 percent of LoB employees are involved in identifying, suggesting, or creating new ways to improve the delivery of digital services externally, such as building an online self-service portal or a customer-facing mobile application. Yet less than a third (29 percent) think their organization is very effective in connecting and using data from multiple sources to drive business value.

"Every industry faces immediate change, and every organization needs to respond to the needs of its customers faster than ever before in a digital-first world," says Brent Hayward, CEO of MuleSoft. "This research shows data is one of the most critical assets that businesses need to move fast and thrive into the future. Organizations need to empower every employee to unlock and integrate data -- no matter where it resides -- to deliver critical, time-sensitive projects and innovation at scale, while making products and services more connected than ever."

The report shows that 33 percent of LoB employees say the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a lack of connectivity between existing IT systems, applications, and data. 29 percent say a lack of digital skills across the business is also inefficient when delivering digital projects. More than half (51 percent) of LoB employees are currently frustrated by the speed at which their IT team can deliver digital projects.

More than half (54 percent) of LoB respondents say they are frustrated by the challenge of connecting different IT systems, applications, and data at their organization. 59 percent agree that an inability to connect systems, applications and data will negatively impact customer experience. In addition 60 percent admit that this failure to connect will hinder automation initiatives.

"Organizations need to shift to a new operating model, where IT becomes an enabler of innovation," says Paul Crerand, field CTO, EMEA at MuleSoft. "By turning their digital capabilities into APIs that are available via 'clicks, not code', organizations can begin to provide their LoB employees with easy-to-use, self-service tools that will help deliver business solutions and achieve their goals faster and more efficiently. By using this self-service model, organizations can enable innovation everywhere, in a way that's governed but not gated by IT."

You can get the full report from the MuleSoft site.

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