Companies get the systems they deserve

Over the past couple of years working with various clients in Australia, Eurpoe and US I often came accross organisations whose applications were siloed and in total mess. During these times I did often wonder how did they get there, understanding that is partly the way to help them get out of it. Recently I came accross following quote and I think in few lines it aptly sums up the issue. Challenge is how do you fix something as fundamental as this.

Jim Crookes, Chief Architect at BT has observed,
“Companies get the systems they deserve. A company's systems estate is a result of its culture, organizational history, and its funding structures. Coherent, well integrated systems will only ever exist in companies that value coherence and integrated service.”