Outdated print infrastructure is an obstacle to digital transformation, according to a recent IDC study commissioned by imaging solutions leader Lexmark.
Despite three in five enterprises recognizing that lingering print infrastructures are a significant barrier to success, fewer than half are prioritizing investment in this space, hampering the progress of strategic IT initiatives.
The global study, conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, finds four in five (79%) companies responding are investing in cloud infrastructure as part of their digital transformation initiatives, but 57% say lingering print infrastructure is negatively impacting their cloud migration strategy.
Nearly half of survey respondents report challenges integrating existing IT into new infrastructure and updating or replacing legacy business processes; 60% have seen digital transformation budgets exceeded, and 54% faced delays and prolonged project timelines.
According to IDC’s Worldwide Digital Transformation Spending Guide spending on digital transformation technology and services will grow by 10.4% in 2020 to $1.3 trillion globally in 2020.
“This research highlights the importance of considering cloud-based print infrastructure as a key strategic IT initiative,” said Matt Dollus, Lexmark vice president of Global Marketing and IoT Portfolio.
“Established companies in every sector are under pressure to transform into digital-first organizations. With the Covid-19 pandemic exposing gaps and weaknesses in IT infrastructure, many are struggling by failing to take print with them on their digital transformation journey.”