New report finds that information management will become more important over the next two years, but industry faces challenges.

Silver Spring, Maryland – A new report from the Association for Intelligent Information Management highlights the growing importance of information management.

In the 2023 State of the Intelligent Information Management Industry, 79% of survey respondents see information management becoming more important over the next two years.

Published annually by the Association for Intelligent Information Management, this year’s report provides the current state and future trends in information management – the discipline of collecting, managing, and disseminating content and data.

“Information management is far more complex and advanced than a decade ago,” said AIIM President and CEO Tori Miller Liu. “This report provides the data behind the fundamental shift we are experiencing as well as recommendations for where organizations can focus on getting the best out of technology, processes, and people.”

Organizations continue to experience information sprawl caused by hybrid work, output from artificial intelligence applications, and expanding technology stacks. Seventy-eight percent of survey respondents feel that technology usage is driving the vast volume, velocity, and variety of information that is flooding their organizations.

Organizations using 7-10 information management systems or repositories have gone from 3.6% in 2013 to 6.2% in 2018 and now 14.42% in 2023. This represents approximately 100% growth every five years in the number of systems. Additionally, interoperability is a challenge with expanding technology stacks. Most content systems (74%) are not connected to other lines of business systems. Only 26% of document, content, and records management systems integrate with other core applications.

“Organizations should carefully evaluate the growth of content systems,” said David Jones, former AIIM Board Member and report author. “Consider information governance and interoperability when adding new systems.”

Interestingly, while information management is projected to become more important, around 33% of respondents rated their organizations below average in core information management areas, such as managing information through its lifecycle and applying governance and compliance.

The COVID-19 pandemic drove digital transformation – the process of streamlining a company’s core operations and customer value propositions using technology – within most organizations. Almost two-thirds (65%) of organizations have achieved significant digital transformation, up from 46% in 2018. However, the challenges blocking further digital transformation remain consistent — lack of money, focus, and rigid culture.

“Information management professionals need to find a way to discuss the value of Information Management with executives,” said Jones.

As the need for information management increases, the need for skilled practitioners will also increase. Overall, 55% of respondents agree that information management is an attractive profession for recent graduates. However, in the 18-30 age range, 50% disagree with this statement. Almost half (44%) of respondents from the AIIM audience are 45 years old or above.

“To avoid a skills shortage within the next decade, the industry needs to invest in recruiting new entrants and investing in professional development,” explained Jones.

The full report can be downloaded, free of charge, at aiim.org/industrywatch2023.

About the Association for Intelligent Information Management

The Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) is the world's leading association dedicated to the information management industry. AIIM’s mission is to help organizations improve their performance by transforming the way they manage their information. AIIM provides independent research, training, and certification to a thriving community.

Contact
Shelly Strickland
AIIM International
sstrickland@aiim.org