Before we dive into our predictions for 2026 in Citisoft’s annual Outlook (coming soon!), we’re taking a moment to look back at the blogs that captured the most attention in 2025.
Across different themes, one thread runs through all of them: the relentless drive to modernise operating models. From data governance and outsourcing strategies to the pursuit of a true total portfolio view, these topics reflect an industry balancing ambition with complexity. AI and private markets featured prominently, but so did long-standing challenges like IBOR ownership and the structural friction slowing transformation for smaller firms.
As these explorations show, the evolution of investment operations is far from linear. The ideas explored in these blogs—data maturity, governance clarity, and integrated oversight—will continue to shape priorities well into 2026. If this year proved anything, it’s that transformation isn’t just about technology; it’s about strategy, execution, and the right expertise at the right time.
Enterprise data management outsourcing has been generating plenty of interest, but much like the hype around cloud platforms, the concept isn’t revolutionary in itself. The real shift isn’t about technology, it’s about how firms approach data strategy. Outsourcing won’t magically solve legacy issues or poor governance; it simply changes who executes the work.
As Ian Robinson notes, “Outsourcing enterprise data management offers clear benefits including access to specialist expertise, potential cost efficiencies, and support for scalability during growth or transformation. But one size does not fit all, and success is not guaranteed—it depends on the maturity of your data environment and the clarity of your governance model.” For firms aiming to unlock value, the focus should be on building a mature data environment and clear ownership before considering outsourcing as a lever for transformation.
Read Ian's blog
In July, we sat down with Spencer Baum, Managing Director at SS&C Global Investor Distribution Solutions (GIDS), to explore how the firm is responding to the shifting demands of asset managers and their clients. In conversation with David Higgins, Managing Partner EMEA, Spencer shares how SS&C GIDS is delivering innovation at scale—through digital transformation, regulatory responsiveness, and a sharp focus on client experience..
Watch the interview
Firms are looking to streamline IBOR operations, but ownership and accountability remain fragmented. The concept of robust IBOR governance isn’t about adding another dataset, it’s about clarifying roles and ensuring data integrity across internal teams and outsourced providers. As Michael Maltby states, this isn’t just a technology story; it’s one of control and oversight. Outsourcing IBOR processes can improve efficiency, but ultimate responsibility for data quality still sits with the asset manager. Firms that embrace this approach by implementing clear governance frameworks, layered validation checks, and strong SLAs, will not only safeguard operational resilience but also enhance valuation accuracy, regulatory compliance, and client trust as outsourcing models proliferate.
Read Michael's blog
Total Portfolio View (TPV) is dominating industry conversations, but it’s not a new concept—it’s an evolution. TPV isn’t about creating another reporting layer; it’s about consolidating risk and performance views across public and private markets into a single, actionable perspective. As Ben Keeler explains, TPV has existed for decades in the form of multi-asset risk and analytics, but today’s drivers—adoption of private assets, demand for efficiency, and the rise of multi-asset solutions—are pushing firms to revisit siloed systems and fragmented data. Firms that embrace TPV will gain more than operational clarity: they’ll unlock scale, improve timeliness, and enable unbiased capital allocation decisions across asset classes.
Read Ben's blog
And finally, our top spot goes to this year's Transformation Survey report. The 2025 Transformation Survey shows an industry in motion, with priorities shaped by firm size and AUM.
Three themes dominate:
- Data architecture as the foundation: Nearly 90% of firms plan to overhaul data operations by 2027, recognizing that clean, governed data underpins agility and AI adoption. With 88% piloting or deploying AI, success depends on data maturity.
- Private markets reshape models: Over 90% of firms above $100B AUM manage private assets, driving demand for unified oversight and a true total portfolio view. Vendors and managers are collaborating to meet this complexity.
- Ambition meets constraint for smaller firms: Those under $100B AUM pursue transformation across data, risk, and performance but face structural blockers—fragmented systems, spreadsheets, and limited expertise.
The differentiator is expertise. Firms engaging SMEs and domain specialists navigate complexity and execute change effectively. Transformation is underway, but uneven; those who resolve friction early will scale faster and lead the next wave of innovation.
Discover our findings
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