Over the next three articles, I want to share my thoughts on where enterprise applications are heading — and why many companies are struggling to turn AI into real business value.
Let’s start with the real problem.
Over the past decade, companies have added software at an incredible speed.
A tool for CRM. Another for marketing automation. One for projects. One for HR. A separate helpdesk. A new AI assistant on top of everything.
Each decision made sense at the time. Each tool promised efficiency.
But something strange happened.
While the number of applications increased, real agility decreased.
The Illusion of Progress
On paper, more tools should mean better productivity.
In reality, most enterprises are now operating inside a patchwork of disconnected systems.
Data lives in different places. Workflows jump from one platform to another. Reports do not match. Teams create manual bridges between systems just to move work forward.
Instead of speeding up innovation, the application portfolio becomes a weight.
More integrations. More maintenance. More governance complexity. More training.
And most importantly — more friction.
Why This Becomes a Strategic Problem
This is not just an IT issue.
It becomes a business issue when:
- Decisions take longer because data is fragmented
- AI initiatives fail because the data foundation is weak
- Employees spend more time switching tools than doing real work
- Innovation slows down due to system complexity
Adding another tool might solve a local problem. But globally, it increases system complexity.
The result? The company grows, but the digital backbone becomes harder to manage.
The AI Paradox
Today, many organizations believe AI will fix everything.
But AI depends on structured, connected, trusted data.
If workflows are fragmented and data is scattered, AI does not create intelligence — it amplifies chaos.
You cannot build intelligent automation on top of disconnected systems.
Before asking, “How do we use AI?” A better question is:
“Is our application landscape ready for intelligence?”
A Hard Question Leaders Must Ask
Do we really need more applications?
Or do we need a smarter structure?
The future of enterprise software will not be defined by who has the most tools.
It will be defined by who has the most connected foundation.
Because in the end:
Agility does not come from adding. It comes from simplifying.
I would be interested to hear how you see this in your own organization.