Simplifying complex IT: How to navigate IT fragmentation
Author: Leon Windsor | Date published: September, 17, 2025, UK | Read est: 5 min read
From regulatory changes and political movements, to emerging technology and rising prices, there’s an enormous amount of change taking place in the world. While large enterprises have the resources to overcome many of these challenges, smaller businesses must be smart in order to create a robust and flexible environment to succeed.
Technology holds many of the answers to these challenges. Whether it’s collaboration tools or AI services. But too many services can lead to overlapping capabilities, spiralling costs, and confused employees.
How do businesses prepare for an uncertain future, without over-complicating their systems or causing IT fragmentation?
Is your tech stack holding you back?
Here are a select few signs of IT fragmentation to watch for:
- Teams using different tools for the same task (e.g. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom)
- Multiple logins or systems that don’t talk to each other
- Lost time switching between platforms
- Shadow IT – staff using unapproved apps because the official tools are too complex
If any of these elements sound familiar, it may be time to think about platform unification for your environment.
Why it’s time for IT platform unification
Workplace complexity for SMEs has already increased drastically over the past decade. Hybrid working and digital collaboration have become essential to effective operation.
SMEs are increasingly having to balance security, simplicity, and innovation. Meanwhile, IT is under pressure to manage complex, dispersed device fleets against SME cyber security threats, and spearhead innovation.
That’s why 83% of IT admins want platform unification for easier management, security, and collaboration. By unifying under one key platform, such as Microsoft Azure or Microsoft 365 for business, it becomes significantly easier to maintain systems and innovate.
An expert partner like Focus Group can help prevent IT sprawl and simplify the unification process further.
The real benefits of unifying
1. Collaboration made simple
If everyone is using a version of the same software, compatibility issues become irrelevant. Smart collaboration features of systems like Microsoft Teams make editing documents, coming up with ideas, and checking work much simpler. Video call and meeting features, including recordings and transcripts, can be easily shared.
2. Security that stays updated
A major benefit of a unified system is the simplified security process. By making use of popular unified platforms, such as Microsoft 365, keeping up to date and protected against the latest threats can be handled externally. Additional security services are easy to plug in.
3. New features at no extra cost
Microsoft 365 for business is regularly reviewed and updated. Recently, this has included Microsoft Copilot – an AI tool that can handle many everyday tasks. Consolidating Microsoft 365 licences and optimising the cloud setup can save costs while giving teams flexible ways to work from anywhere.
4. Flexibility for changing businesses
Subscription licences allow you to scale licences and cloud storage as needed. Compatible tools can be integrated while keeping systems simple and manageable. Teams can securely access files, applications, and systems from anywhere in the world.
How to get started
Switching to a unified solution prevents complex, fragmented systems. With Focus Group, you’ll be supported with:
- A thorough consultation on your specific requirements and needs
- Pricing that leverages our scale to ensure the best deal
- Implementation that minimises disruption to your business
- Ongoing support for security and technical challenges
- Training assistance to keep your team up to date
What happens if you don’t fight IT fragmentation?
Disconnected tools waste time, increase human error risk, and frustrate teams. Over time, inefficiencies can add up to serious business risk. Without simplification, IT fragmentation will worsen.
Conclusion
Simplifying into a secure, comprehensive unified package saves time, costs, increases security, and helps businesses stay current. With Focus Group, you get a technology partner that implements unified IT without adding complexity. Get in touch to see how your business can benefit.
Leon Windsor
Head of IT Sales
As Head of IT Sales, the main element of Leon’s role is to lead his high performing sales team to continually deliver new and innovative product and service offerings to our customers, ensuring the products we offer are designed with each individual customer in mind and always deliver the best possible value.
