Gartner research estimates that 70% of AI projects fail due to a lack of integrated and quality data;
The acceleration of digitalization has led companies to invest in technologies to optimize operations. However, a fundamental challenge often remains invisible: the lack of data integration and structuring. Organizations still operate with disconnected information across departments, systems, and processes. This fragmentation compromises decision-making, generates rework, and reduces operational efficiency, resulting in financial losses that are not always immediately noticeable.
The absence of a cohesive data strategy directly impacts the return on technology investments. A survey by the consulting firm Gartner indicates that 701% of artificial intelligence projects fail due to a lack of integrated, high-quality data. This means that, without the right foundation, resources allocated to innovation become ineffective. Governance failures, lost files, or an inability to recognize the value of information affect companies' long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
"Many organizations invest in cutting-edge tools without first addressing the primary issue: organizing their data. Without an integrated and governed database, any automation or artificial intelligence initiative operates in the dark, based on incomplete or incorrect information. Data is not a byproduct of operations: it is the core asset that drives the business strategically and competitively," says the product director at Engineering Brasil, part of the Engineering Group, a global information technology and consulting company specializing in digital transformation, Willy Sousa.
According to the executive, the problem lies in the fact that data is an asset that only generates value when it is processed, connected, and interpretable. "Many companies have legacy systems that don't communicate with each other, and departments operate with siloed information, which prevents a unified view of the business. This scenario creates a fragile foundation for any innovation initiative," comments Willy.
Structured approach and its benefits
In contrast, the benefits of a structured approach are clear. Organizations with mature data management are 23 times more likely to acquire new customers and 19 times more likely to be profitable, according to McKinsey. The ability to connect information from different sources allows leaders to identify patterns, anticipate demands, and personalize the customer experience with much greater precision.
To transform this scenario, building digital ecosystems where data flows securely and intelligently is essential. "With a data-driven approach, cross-platform integration, and an API-first architecture, companies can address silent failures that impact their business," Sousa explains.
Relying on experienced partners can be crucial in this process. In Brazil, there are platforms like Engineering Brasil's DHuO, which adopts a modular architecture focused on API management and system and data integration—key elements for enabling artificial intelligence projects in medium and large companies. The solution has been implemented in organizations across various sectors, such as telecommunications, sanitation, industry, and food, helping to optimize operations and accelerate digital transformation.
Common examples include reports with conflicting figures, service failures caused by outdated information, or disconnected decisions between departments. In the telecommunications sector, for example, a large operator was able to optimize the experience of its digital channels and accelerate the delivery of new e-commerce journeys by investing in systemic integration via APIs and microservices. The solution, developed by Engineering Brasil, involved implementing a robust integration layer between systems, improving time to market, simplifying governance, and increasing operational efficiency. "Integration needs to be viewed as a pillar of corporate strategy, not just a technical project. This is what enables digital initiatives to be transformed into real results," concludes Willy Sousa, product director at Engineering Brasil.
About Engineering Brasil
THE Engineering Brasil, part of the Engineering Group, a global information technology and consulting company specializing in Digital Transformation, headquartered in Italy, with more than 70 offices and approximately 15,000 employees in Europe, South America and North America.
The company helps companies develop and evolve their competitive advantage through a business-oriented approach, placing Artificial Intelligence at the center of their operation, exploring digital ecosystems and platforms and adopting the API First mindset to reconfigure and innovate the value chain, generating new business models and a better customer experience.
For over 15 years in Brazil, responsible for transforming operations such as TIM, Claro, Sabesp, Eletrobras, Nestlé, Volvo, Pfizer, among others. With over 1,000 employees in Brazil, the company is one of the largest and most innovative companies in the country and considered one of the best places to work.
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