Most UK tech leaders say network outages are becoming a critical business problem

The vast majority of UK technology leaders are expressing concern over network outages becoming a critical issue for their businesses. A survey conducted by Zen Internet revealed that 78% of tech decision-makers feel that network complexities are hindering transformation efforts. The primary challenges identified include difficulties with multiple vendors, platforms, and contracts. Additionally, 49% of leaders cited a lack of commitment from non-IT leadership as the main barrier in making long-term decisions.

Network resilience is considered vital for business success, with 94% of technology leaders in the UK recognizing its importance. A significant 51% of respondents viewed network resilience as a business-critical factor, with outages directly impacting revenue and customer satisfaction. Interestingly, 36% of these leaders plan to invest heavily in network modernization within the next few years. However, there is a notable concern that third-party suppliers are delaying projects and obstructing changes.

Jon Nowell, Managing Director of Zen Business, highlighted the problematic state of UK businesses, stating that many are spending excessive time managing multiple suppliers, disconnected systems, and separate security solutions. This time could be better spent on innovation and delivering value to customers. He emphasized that the challenge isn't merely keeping businesses connected, but ensuring the network can support growth, cloud adoption, AI initiatives, and new working methods while maintaining security without adding more complexity.

The research suggests that addressing supplier delays, revising contracts, and encouraging leadership on network and infrastructure issues are critical priorities for UK businesses.