UK firms scale enterprise software development, how to turn spend into results

UK boards are pushing enterprise software up the agenda as costs rise, regulation tightens and customers expect faster service. The old toolkit such as fragmented spreadsheets, ageing systems and generic off-the-shelf apps, no longer keeps pace. Adoption is uneven, though: cloud and specialist tools are common, but advanced capabilities such as AI remain early-stage for most firms.

Enterprise software development has stepped into that gap. What once sat firmly within the IT department has now become a board-level discussion. A survey by the Office for National Statistics shows that while 69% of UK firms use cloud-based systems and 61% use specialised software, the adoption of advanced tools, such as artificial intelligence, was still only 9% in 2023. That is expected to rise to 22% in 2024, but it reveals a stark reality: most companies are still early in their transformation journey.

For firms that move early, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Fall behind, and the cost of inefficiency compounds year after year. Move ahead, and enterprise software becomes the foundation for scale, compliance, and innovation.

The market momentum

The UK enterprise software market generated $17.52bn in 2024 and is forecast to reach $32.73bn by 2030 (Grand View Research). The wider UK software market is projected to rise from $41.92bn (2024) to $63.57bn (2030). A UK government review suggests closing the UK gap in robotics and AI could unlock £150bn over the next decade. Early movers gain; laggards pay the compounding cost of inefficiency.

The barriers that hold businesses back

If the benefits are so obvious, why are companies still struggling to modernise? Surveys show that three consistent challenges dominate the picture:

• Cost pressures. Over half of UK firms cite finances as the main barrier to digital adoption (UK Government).
• Unclear use cases. 39% struggle to identify where AI/automation delivers tangible value (ONS).
• Skills shortages. 16% lack internal expertise to run new systems or interpret data.
• Cyber readiness. 56% of SMEs report low awareness of cyber risk; fewer than 30% use data well for planning (TechRadar, 2024).

The issue isn’t appetite, it’s execution. Many teams want change but lack a clear plan, the right partner, or confidence that the benefits will stick.

Why enterprise software matters

Enterprise software isn’t about swapping old tools for shiny ones; it’s about building systems that work the way your organisation works. Bespoke platforms map to real workflows, customers and controls instead of forcing teams into rigid templates.

The benefits cascade across the organisation:

• Efficiency. Automate manual steps to cut errors and costs, and free people for higher-value work.
• Decisions. Real-time reporting replaces backwards-looking spreadsheets.
• Customer experience. CRM and data services enable personalisation at scale.
• Scale. Systems evolve with the business—no disruptive rip-and-replace.
• Compliance & security. UK/GDPR requirements embedded from the start.

A retail client moved from disconnected tools to a unified ERP+CRM. Within months, order errors fell 30% and demand forecasting improved through real-time reporting.

How Aecor Digital delivers

End-to-end delivery. Discovery, design, build, test, deploy, training, support—anchored to your objectives.

Agile releases. Frequent increments and feedback reduce risk and surface value earlier.

Sector experience. From fintech to manufacturing, with cloud, automation and data depth.

UK-based support. Local teams for standards, governance and responsive service.

What we deliver

Enterprise software takes many forms, and our expertise covers many of them:

• ERP. Finance, HR, procurement and supply chain in one system.
• CRM. Retention and personalisation backed by automation.
• BI & analytics. Turn raw data into decisions.
• Automation platforms. Streamline complex workflows.
• Cloud solutions. Scalable, secure foundations with DR baked in.

These solutions are not just about efficiency. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK firms adopting advanced technologies alongside strong management practices achieve approximately 19% higher turnover per worker compared to peers, after controlling for firm characteristics and management scores.

A strategic roadmap for transformation

The journey to enterprise-level maturity follows a clear pathway:

1. Discover priorities and constraints.
2. Design around workflows and scale.
3. Develop iteratively with feedback.
4. Deploy & train for adoption.
5. Support & enhance as needs grow.

This roadmap ensures that transformation is not a one-off event but a continuous cycle of improvement.

Looking ahead

The gap between leaders and laggards is widening. If you need to modernise legacy systems, streamline operations and build platforms that scale, start with a structured discovery. We’ll map the highest-value changes and create a delivery plan that your board can support.

Take the first step

For UK organisations, the question is no longer whether enterprise software is needed, but who they trust to deliver it in a way that fits their business.

If you are ready to modernise legacy systems, streamline operations, and build platforms that scale, contact Aecor Digital today. Together, we can create enterprise software that reduces costs, enhances compliance, and accelerates growth.