McKinsey & Company studied 150+ GenAI initiatives across enterprises, and surfaced one key pattern.

The ones that scale don't just build tools. They build the system around them.

More specifically, they build:

---->A self-service portal So teams can easily access pre-approved models, tools, and documentation

---->An open architecture To enable reuse, plug in best-in-class components, and avoid vendor lock-in

---->Built-in governance guardrails To enforce policy, catch hallucinations, and manage cost automatically

---->A centralized AI gateway To route prompts, track usage, and maintain control across teams

Why does this matter?

Because most GenAI programs aren't failing due to model performance. They're struggling with something quieter, but deeper:

1. Innovation stalls

• Teams spend 30-50% of their "innovation time" on compliance, duplicate work, or low-impact projects.
• Momentum fades before real value is unlocked.

2. Scaling breaks down

• Even great ideas stay stuck in pilot.
• Risk and governance concerns stop them from reaching production.

You don't scale GenAI by scaling apps, but by scaling the platform that lets teams build, govern, and evolve at speed.

McKinsey's advice: Build a central GenAI platform - not just tools, but a system of reusable services, open architecture, and automated guardrails.

It's not fast to build. But they've seen results like: -> 6-week setup cycles reduced to 1-day sandboxes -> App approval processes cut by 90%

For orgs serious about GenAI, the shift isn't just technical, it's architectural. And it's becoming the difference between one-off pilots and real, durable impact.

Author

DIGITIZING ASIA, ABN ASIA was founded by people with deep roots in academia, with work experience in the US, Holland, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. ABN Asia is where academia and technology meet opportunity. With our cutting-edge solutions and competent software development services, we're helping businesses level up and take on the global scene. Our commitment: Faster. Better. More reliable. In most cases: Cheaper as well.

Feel free to reach out to us whenever you require IT services, digital consulting, off-the-shelf software solutions, or if you'd like to send us requests for proposals (RFPs). You can contact us at [email protected]. We're ready to assist you with all your technology needs.

© ABN ASIA