APAC Organisations Face Data Integration Challenges

A recent study by Boomi has revealed that organisations across the Asia Pacific region are at risk of not fully realising the return on investment (ROI) from artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives due to inadequate data foundations. This research, conducted by Omdia, involved over 1,100 senior technology and business decision-makers from countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

According to the survey, 74% of organisations in these countries are actively pursuing AI projects. Only 46% have adopted a platform-led approach to integration, which creates a gap between AI ambitions and execution. Nearly a quarter of respondents stated they cannot effectively measure the success of AI initiatives, highlighting a critical challenge in assessing ROI.

David Irecki, Chief Technology Officer, APJ at Boomi, commented, “APAC organisations are moving quickly on AI, but the research suggests that many still treat AI as an extension of broader technology spending rather than a strategic business transformation initiative.” He emphasised that the gap between adoption and ROI realization stems from weak data foundations.

Data Governance as a Priority

The study highlights that 94% of organisations view data integration and governance as key priorities. However, only 50% have formal AI-specific data governance policies in place. Shadow integrations are disrupting data quality, with 81% indicating this issue.

Michael Barnes, Chief Analyst, Enterprise IT Asia at Omdia, stated, “When teams build AI models on data they don’t fully control, they lack visibility into what’s feeding what, creating business risks.”

Concerns about data residency are also prevalent, with 76% of firms considering it a major issue, though only 24% report it significantly impacts their strategies. Despite these challenges, there is a strong push to consolidate technology and improve data quality.

The research found that 89% of organisations are actively seeking to reduce tool and technology sprawl, while 92% are consolidating across data, process integration, API management, and automation. These efforts indicate a recognition of the need for unified integration, governance, and data quality frameworks.

Boomi’s report underscores the need for robust data foundations to ensure AI initiatives translate into productivity gains and competitive advantages. Organisations are encouraged to focus on data integration, governance, and quality to achieve meaningful AI ROI.

Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:50 am