Interoperability and Breaking Down Silos
System integration remains a critical challenge for firms striving for seamless front-to-back operations. The biggest barriers include security and access management across platforms (54%), misaligned business processes (45%), and entrenched data silos (44%). Data accuracy across integrated systems (40%) and the cost and complexity of integration projects (34%) further hinder progress. Respondents have highlighted that these issues are often compounded by legacy infrastructure, inconsistent APIs, and limited collaboration between front- and back-office teams.
To overcome these roadblocks, firms are placing strong emphasis on improving data usability and internal sharing. Centralized data hubs, simplified request portals, and embedded collaboration tools are becoming standard. Many firms aim to reduce access friction by minimizing approvals, enabling real-time discovery, and integrating smart filtering and metadata clarity. Self-service access through low/no-code tools and multilingual capabilities further democratize data use across global teams.
Culturally, there's a shift towards data transparency, with firms promoting ownership decentralization, usage tracking, and reuse of curated datasets. KPIs tied to data accessibility are also being introduced to foster accountability. By embedding sharing functionality into everyday applications and supporting sandbox environments for experimentation, firms are not only increasing data visibility, they’re building an agile, insights-driven organization equipped to break down silos and accelerate data-driven collaboration.
"You can build all the dashboards and insights you want but if data still needs a passport to go from Front Office to Back Office those investments are meaningless."
Neil Vernon, Chief Product Officer, Gresham
Question 1: What are the biggest challenges your firm faces when integrating front-to-back systems?
(Respondents were asked to select three options)
Security concerns and access control management across interconnected platforms
Complexity of aligning different business processes and workflows
Data silos and disparate data models across different business units
Maintaining data consistency and accuracy across integrated systems
High costs and long timelines associated with complex integration projects
Lack of standardized APIs and data formats across systems
Incompatibility of legacy systems with modern integration technologies
Resistance to change and lack of collaboration between front and back-office teams
Ensuring scalability and flexibility of the integrated infrastructure to accommodate future growth
"Seamless front-to-back integration isn’t just a technology project — it’s a cultural transformation. Firms that align processes, break down silos, and democratize access are setting the foundation for agility, faster decision-making, and truly connected operations."
Matthew Greninger, General Manager, Data Automation Solutions, Gresham
