Bridging the Technology Gap: Why Misaligned Tools Drain Value and Slow Growth
Across Europe, businesses are investing heavily in digital tools to drive efficiency, scale, and innovation. But what happens when the technology meant to accelerate operations becomes a roadblock? Many organisations still rely on outdated systems, underuse their current tech stack, or invest in solutions that don’t match their long-term strategy. These misalignments create avoidable friction in day-to-day operations and long-term scalability
When Tools Don’t Fit the Job
Legacy systems continue to dominate many industries—from manufacturing to public services—despite no longer supporting evolving workflows. According to a 2025 report by TechMarketView, 61% of European enterprises admit their current IT infrastructure is holding back operational efficiency.
This leads to:
- Manual workarounds due to limited integrations
- High maintenance costs for outdated architecture
- Missed innovation opportunities as modern tools can’t be layered on top
In the Netherlands, a chemical processing company ran into costly delays when its supply chain data couldn’t sync across platforms. After replacing its legacy systems with integrated cloud-based tools, reporting times dropped by 45% and data accuracy improved significantly (Forrester, 2025).
The Hidden Cost of Underutilisation
IInvesting in new platforms isn’t enough—many businesses struggle to make full use of what they already have. According to the European Commission’s 2024 Digital Economy and Society report, over 40% of EU enterprises with digital tools report underutilisation of their existing software due to lack of training, poor integration, or organisational resistance (ec.europa.eu, 2024).
This leads to:
- Lost ROI from tools sitting idle
- Employees reverting to outdated habits like Excel, despite access to advanced tools
- User frustration when tools are rolled out without training or support
In the Netherlands, a chemical manufacturer faced ongoing delays as supply chain data couldn’t sync across legacy systems. After shifting to a cloud-based planning and scheduling solution, reporting time dropped by 45% and data accuracy significantly improved, according to a 2024 analysis of cloud adoption in supply chain operations (PlanetTogether, 2024).
Short-Term Savings, Long-Term Costs
Sometimes the issue isn’t what’s bought—but why. Companies often favour tools that appear cost-effective upfront but fail to scale. These choices create problems such as:
- Inflexible systems that can’t adapt to business growth
- Frequent replacements, driving up total cost of ownership
- Falling behind competitors using more adaptable platforms
A mid-sized insurer in Belgium opted for a basic analytics suite to cut costs. Within 18 months, growing data volumes made it unusable. The firm had to reinvest in a scalable platform—at double the original budget (Capgemini, 2025).
Four Steps to Realign Tech with Strategy
- Run Regular Tech Audits
Evaluate whether tools match current workflows and growth plans. Involve department heads—not just IT—in platform reviews.
- Invest in Continuous Training
Ongoing user training and support improve adoption and ensure long-term use. A Gartner survey reports 32% higher productivity in firms with active tech training programmes.
- Make Scalability Non-Negotiable
Focus on flexibility, future integrations, and lifecycle cost—not just initial price. Think in 3–5 year horizons.
- Embed Tech into Culture
Tools should support how teams work, not the other way around. Encourage feedback loops between users and tech stakeholders to fine-tune tools in real time.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Tools Work Against You
In Europe’s competitive and fast-moving market, technology is either an accelerant—or a bottleneck. Legacy systems, underused tools, and cost-first purchasing can quietly drain performance.
But businesses that reassess their stack, train their people, and plan for tomorrow—not just today—create a smarter foundation for growth. Technology should empower people—not limit them.
