Software implementation delays derail enterprise growth
Good news: We're all about faster implementation time!
We commissioned IDC to study how implementation delays affect Indian enterprises and found that they not only drive up costs, but also hinder digital transformation, lead to missed revenue opportunities and give competitors an edge.
Download the IDC SpotlightImagine waiting to be served a delicious meal at a gourmet restaurant, only to find out that they messed up your order entirely. Software delays are much like this—often leading to disappointment when you're eagerly awaiting results.
Chef Vinay's restaurant isn't the only one that suffers from chaos and inefficiencies caused by delays.
Software implementation delays can cost your business. In crores.
Average time overruns and missed revenue cost of delays
Delays led to an average project cost overrun of 43% and missed revenue opportunities of
INR 5.6 croreaverage time overruns across projects
of organisations face significant deployment delays
Indian enterprises recognise the importance of on-time implementations
- 92.5%
say implementation is important
- 7.5%
say somewhat important
- 0%
say not important
Source: IDC Spotlight, commissioned by Zoho, A Platform-Driven Approach for Faster and More Efficient SaaS Implementation, Doc #AP7877X, February 2025
Just as Chef Vinay begins to unravel the kitchen chaos, unexpected challenges emerge—getting in the way of projects.
The many reasons for software implementation delays: it's complicated!
What hurdles lead to software implementation delays?
- 38%
struggle with integration and security challenges
- 38%
cite talent shortage as a reason for delays
- 38%
report technical issues, often due to inadequate solution capabilities
- 47%
report project management issues
Source: IDC Spotlight, commissioned by Zoho, A Platform-Driven Approach for Faster and More Efficient SaaS Implementation, Doc #AP7877X, February 2025
Much like the piling mountain of food in the trash, delays in plans or projects can lead to unpleasant consequences.
The domino effect of delayed implementation: more than just increased costs
The hidden cost of SaaS delays—what Indian enterprises say
- 67%
increased costs
- 53%
hindered digital initiatives
- 48%
customer dissatisfaction
- 46%
missed business revenue and opportunities
- 45%
decreased productivity
- 32%
lost competitive advantage
- 10%
reputational damage
Source: IDC Spotlight, commissioned by Zoho, A Platform-Driven Approach for Faster and More Efficient SaaS Implementation, Doc #AP7877X, February 2025
There are definitely ways to prevent delays that don't result in a fire—literally or figuratively!
The secret sauce for smooth implementation
A platform-driven approach for accelerated SaaS implementations
of enterprises prioritise platforms with integrated developer tools for SaaS implementation
recognise the importance of high automation and DevOps practices for reducing timelines
Source: IDC Spotlight, commissioned by Zoho, A Platform-Driven Approach for Faster and More Efficient SaaS Implementation, Doc #AP7877X, February 2025
The Zoho Advantage
Faster time-to-value with quicker implementation
Here's why Zoho is uniquely positioned to fast-track enterprise growth.
Pre-built functionalities for quick start
Our ecosystem offers pre-configured solutions and domain-specific app-platforms like CX, EX, collaboration, finance and IoT, built with the needs of business users in mind.
Think of them as ready-to-use features that cut down on time-consuming custom development, so you spend less time on setup and more time on value delivery.
Unified ecosystem for innovation
Our platform brings the flexibility to adapt systems to your evolving needs by combining them with third-party tools, and custom-built solutions.
You can integrate data from disparate systems into a single, accessible platform to break down silos, foster collaboration, and drive consistent insights.
Customisability at scale
With tools like Canvas, Workflow Builder, and Blueprint, you can easily tailor workflows and interfaces to your specific needs. Create powerful, deeply customised solutions, by leveraging advanced tools like Widgets, SDKs, and serverless functions.
Our "write code where necessary" philosophy means that coding is focused on high-impact areas, accelerating development timelines without compromising functionality.
Accelerated time-to-value
Our high automation capabilities get you up and running quickly by reducing manual tasks and streamlining processes.
Plus, our multi-instance architecture enables rapid rollouts across all your teams and regions, making it a smarter, more cost-effective alternative to legacy systems.
Integrated and intelligent solutions
Our AI-driven tools enhance decision making for your business through predictive analytics and seamless workflow automation.
Open APIs ensure smooth integration with your existing systems, simplifying data flow so that everything works together smoothly.
Domain expertise and proven success
We partner with enterprises to co-create solutions for specific industries, such as healthcare, automotive, retail, manufacturing, BFSI and more.
We're focused on helping you tackle unique operational challenges and push the boundaries of what's possible.
Privacy and security excellence
We offer a strong framework with global data centres that comply with GDPR and HIPAA all while maintaining low latency. With our no-advertising policy, your data is always yours.
You'll benefit from enterprise-grade protection with advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and ISO 27001 compliance. Our built-in tools like audit logs and data masking protect your privacy. To add to that, our AI threat detection keeps your business secure.
The Zoho Advantage
Trusted by leaders across industries
This platform has automated approximately 90-95% of customer query processes, leading to a remarkable 30% increase in customer satisfaction and a 25% boost in retention rates.
A. Manimekhalai
Managing Director of Union Bank of India
We would like to recognise that there was a complete re-engineering of processes done for simplification. A CRM deployment of this magnitude would normally require 18 to 24 months, but the TAFE and Zoho team completed this project in an astounding six months.
Shobhana Ravi
President - Infotech, Innovation & Learning Officer, TAFE Ltd
Zoho CRM offers us technology that allows us to be more insights-driven, with all our information in a single place. With our complete business under control, our productivity is up by 80% in the last year.
Thomas John
Managing Director, Agappe Diagnostics
In just six months, we transformed our sales processes, achieving 100% user adoption and a remarkable 4x return on investment within two years.
Ponappa PM
Head of Brigade Plus
Don’t let delays slow down your enterprise growth
Read the full IDC Spotlight