How businesses can achieve operational efficiency through smarter, aligned IT investments
- Written by Konica Minolta Australia
Australian businesses are recognising the importance of aligning IT investments with broader business goals to drive long-term success as they face increasing competitive pressures, rapidly evolving market demands, and rising operational costs. Digital transformation and new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), are critical enablers of efficiency and profitability. Organisations are shifting the focus from reactive problem-solving to proactive, strategic planning, understanding that well-deployed technology is the key to streamlining operations, reducing costs, and improving decision-making, according to Konica Minolta Australia.
John Harding, general manager of managed services, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Our research shows that 68 per cent of C-suite executives now prioritise operational efficiency when making IT investment decisions. (1) This reflects a clear understanding that technology must deliver tangible outcomes to remain competitive in today’s evolving landscape. However, achieving operational efficiency goes beyond adopting new tools. It requires integrating technologies with existing systems to support key business objectives. Organisations that successfully do this will see improved processes, lower costs, and higher productivity.”
Under-utilising existing technologies is a significant challenge for many organisations, with 43 per cent of executives identifying under-use of current tools as a barrier to meeting their goals. (2) This leads to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. As such, businesses must focus on getting the most out of their existing infrastructure while making informed decisions about future investments.
John Harding said, “Organisations often implement technologies without fully understanding their potential. Businesses need a clear strategy for technology adoption and investment that aligns with operational and financial goals. Managed service providers (MSPs) can play a pivotal role in helping organisations maximise their current technology and plan for future growth.”
Cloud computing and AI solutions are among the top technologies helping businesses improve efficiency, with 60 per cent of organisations planning to invest in cloud solutions and 50 per cent focusing on AI-driven applications. (3) These technologies let businesses scale operations, enhance decision-making, and reduce operational costs. However, technology investment alone is not enough to deliver success. Instead, businesses must fully integrate new tools into their existing workflows and source the right skill sets to provide ongoing support and optimisation.
John Harding said, “Strong IT leadership is fundamental in aligning IT investments with business goals and bridging the gap between disparate business functions; only then can organisations achieve the maximum return on investment (ROI) and meet broader business objectives. IT leaders can contribute invaluable information to the conversation, and must work closely with other business units to align the technology roadmap with overall company strategy, including cost management and risk mitigation.
“IT leaders are no longer just responsible for implementing new systems. They must also drive strategic discussions around how new solutions can support broader business growth and desired outcomes. This requires a balance of technical expertise and business acumen.”
Organisations that invest in strategic IT initiatives are seeing clear benefits. However, the key to long-term success is not just in the technology itself; it’s in how it is implemented and used across the organisation. Companies can position themselves for sustained growth by focusing on operational efficiency and aligning technology with business goals.
References:
(1) https://www.konicaminolta.com.
(2) https://www.konicaminolta.com.
(3) https://www.konicaminolta.com.
