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Most AI initiatives in private equity portfolios never translate into EBITDA uplift. This article explains why value gets lost, how ROI fog forms, and what operating partners consistently underestimate.

Private equity has poured billions into MSP roll-ups over the last decade. The thesis is familiar: acquire strong regional operators, standardise operations, unlock scale, and expand margins. On paper, it works. In reality, most MSP platforms hit an invisible wall somewhere between acquisition #2 and #4.

Across private equity portfolios, the same conversation repeats itself. An AI pilot shows promise. A proof of concept is funded. Early results look encouraging. Then time passes.

Most “legacy tech” excuses are really about fear— fear of disruption, cost, or being the one who breaks something that’s “just about working.” But the truth is this: your competitors are using the same old ERP, the same CRM, the same email stack — they just have the guts to re-engineer around it.

Every business collects data—customer interactions, sales records, supply chain logs, employee performance metrics. But raw data is like crude oil: valuable in potential, useless without refinement.

Businesses today are drowning in data but starving for insight. CRMs, ERPs, finance systems, and spreadsheets produce endless information—but too often it sits unused, siloed, or incomprehensible. Transformation doesn’t come from collecting more data. It comes from turning data into decisions.

Digital transformation opens doors—new markets, better customer experiences, and leaner operations. But it also opens windows and side doors that cybercriminals are only too eager to exploit.

When businesses talk about digital transformation, many default to buying off-the-shelf software or subscribing to pre-packaged platforms. On the surface, this seems efficient—quick deployment, predictable costs, vendor support. But here’s the catch: one-size-fits-all solutions rarely fit anyone perfectly.

Businesses often chase new features—AI dashboards, XR training, slick mobile apps. But without integration, even the most impressive tools become isolated islands.