By Gad Amar, France & Benelux Regional Director of monday.com

If the focus of 2022 was leaning into digital transformation with all kinds of smarter tools, 2023 is all about getting the most out of each of those new pieces of software.

We have embraced low code/no code platforms, tools, and apps with enthusiasm in an effort to help our teams, departments, and companies work better. But, in adopting so much new software so quickly, we may have overlooked how all of these new workflows integrate with one another and what each software uniquely brings to the table.

According to our survey, more than half of all IT decision-makers are using 4+ tools every single day for their work and say that they could remove 2+ tools from their tech stack without impacting productivity.

So what does cleaning up in 2023 look like?

Consolidation

Given the current market situation, organisations are looking at their budgets with a fine tooth comb. This is encouraging IT managers to go through their long list of software that they have accumulated and decide which are crucial, which can be consolidated, and which are non-essential. But paring down a software list isn’t just good for the books, it also encourages everyone from IT to marketing to customer support to take disconnected applications and streamline them within one single work operating system.  

Not only does consolidation increase convenience, but it actually improves productivity, too. A Harvard Business Review study found that workers switch between apps and websites nearly 1,200 time each day. This creates a “toggling tax” – the amount of time it takes to switch between all of these interfaces which can amount to 9% of annual work time.

85% of IT managers expect consolidation of software to streamline their work. Even if that software is dynamic and automated, having too much smart software slows a team down just as much as not having enough. Interestingly enough, over 50% of IT managers said that their budget for software will likely increase in 2023, letting us know that companies are committed to invest in software, as long as it’s the right ones.

Defining framework

As we lean into digital transformation, organisations are encouraging their team members to embrace technology and implement tools that will automate, optimise, and streamline work. As more and more team members get on board, they are using a multitude of software to build out custom solutions for themselves.

This is amazing to see, and yet, it also presents a challenge. Things can get messy pretty quickly if everyone creates their own tools in silos, without consideration for how these work together. For example, building a tool that connects the marketing and sales process is much more effective than each of those departments using an array of disconnected platforms. 

Integrating Gen Z

The new generation is here, and their changing needs must be another key consideration for the consolidation of IT operations. Gen Z are just graduating college, joining the workforce, and creating impact in fascinating ways. As the most tech savvy generation yet, they bring an entirely new perspective to the workplace both in terms of cultural expectations and technical know-how.

They are pioneers when it comes to seamlessly implementing and using new technologies and interfaces. That’s because they are already doing this in their personal lives, whether it’s quickly learning how to use a new social platform or implementing new apps. Organisations need to provide newer generations with the tools that are as seamless and intuitive as the ones they’re already using. A new Gen Z employee might be the first to point out an inefficient process or non-intuitive use of a tools. You can use their digital fluency to your advantage, even drawing inspiration from the interfaces they interact with on a day to day basis.

A glimpse into the new year

2023 will be an exciting year for IT management. Not only are we moving to the next phase of digital transformation – from simple adoption to complex consolidation and integration – but we’re also seeing IT involved on a deeper organisational level. IT leaders want to invest in making smarter decisions about how work gets done and are investing in IT management as a crucial part of business operations.

The goal for 2023, alongside adapting to the difficulties and challenges of the new economic landscape, will be to define a framework within which all team members can have the autonomy and flexibility to build what they need and maintain smooth and seamless systems.