79 Per Cent of Businesses Unable to Maximise Technology due to Ageing Legacy Systems, Ricoh Study Reveals

79 Per Cent of Businesses Unable to Maximise Technology due to Ageing Legacy Systems, Ricoh Study Reveals PR Newswire LONDON, October 16, 2012 LONDON, October 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ageing back office legacy systems are holding back 79 per cent of European businesses from fully streamlining their business critical document processes, new research published today by Ricoh Europe reveals. This is despite the majority of businesses recognising the transformational power of new technologies to help them be more agile in a fast- changing market, and highlights the disconnected approach to business technology and business-critical document processes across Europe today. The research, part two of the Ricoh Document Governance Index 2012, reveals that while European businesses say that new devices such as smartphones and tablets are helping them manage their business critical document processes, the majority are unable to maximise such technologies because their back-end systems can't fully support them. The study highlights how tempting new technologies can be, with 78 per cent of business leaders admitting they invest in new technology before fully realising the functionality of their existing systems. It also uncovered a clear divide between front and back office technology investments, with many focusing on new technology for the front office while failing to integrate it with the back office.