BLUE BELL, PA — Unisys (NYSE: UIS) and Scopism found that nearly half of organizations are selectively integrating IT services rather than adopting comprehensive models, reflecting a shift toward tighter internal control and targeted use of automation and artificial intelligence across increasingly complex supplier environments.
The findings come from a global survey of more than 5,000 Service Integration and Management professionals in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East, supplemented by interviews with 10 practitioners.
The research found 44% of organizations apply service integration only to specific domains, suppliers or processes. By comparison, 6% have adopted a fully integrated SIAM model covering all services and suppliers, while 12% use a fully outsourced SIAM provider model.
Organizations are also retaining more control internally. The survey found 52% keep the service integrator role in-house.
The results suggest companies are moving away from broad, standardized integration structures in favor of applying SIAM practices where they see the greatest operational value. Unisys and Scopism describe that approach as Selective Service Integration, or SSI.
Cloud platforms, automation and AI are contributing to the change by incorporating integration capabilities directly into technology systems, according to the white paper. AI-driven automation can analyze performance data for trends that organizations can use to identify risks and manage service quality across multiple suppliers.
“Early SIAM models were based around an ‘all or nothing’ approach,” Scopism CEO and founder Claire Agutter said. Organizations can now “choose the level and scope of integration that meets their requirements,” she added.
The approach is intended to preserve core SIAM functions such as governance, collaboration and end-to-end accountability while reducing the need to integrate every service or supplier under the same model.
The companies said selective integration can reduce the cost and complexity associated with unnecessary integration while allowing businesses to concentrate governance and risk-management resources on critical service areas.
“With a more targeted approach, core integration principles can focus on services or suppliers that need it most, rather than a blanket overhaul,” Karl Brandt, senior vice president and general manager of Global Delivery Operations at Unisys, said.
The research was conducted across Scopism’s SIAM community, including professionals at customer organizations, service providers, consulting firms and public-sector organizations. It examined adoption patterns, drivers and emerging trends in service integration.
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