2026 Connectivity Benchmark Report: Unlocking the Agentic Enterprise with Seamless Integration
As agent adoption reaches critical mass, 96% of IT leaders emphasize that AI agent success hinges on seamless integration across systems, according to Salesforce's 11th annual 2026 Connectivity Benchmark Report.[1][2] This report, surveying 1,050 global IT leaders, reveals enterprises averaging 12 AI agents today, projected to surge 67% by 2027 as organizations transition to an "agentic enterprise" where humans and AI collaborate fluidly.[2]
The Connectivity Paradox: High Ambition, Low Integration
Despite 88% of organizations on track for partial or full agentic transformation and 98% planning adoption, a stark disconnect persists: only 27% of the average 957 enterprise applications are connected.[1][2] Even agentic leaders connect just 32% of apps, fueling the "connectivity paradox."[1] This fragmentation breeds shadow AI, disjointed workflows, and governance risks, with half of agents operating in isolation.[2][6]
Key Stat: 82% of IT leaders cite data integration as a top AI challenge, delaying 26% of projects and consuming 36% of IT time on custom integrations.[1]
API-Driven Architectures: The Path Forward
To combat silos, 94% of leaders advocate API-centric IT architectures as the connective tissue for multi-agent systems.[2] Already, one-third use APIs for faster integrations, and 50% leverage them for AI governance.[2] Salesforce's MuleSoft and Agentforce innovations, including Agentforce 360 and Data 360 (Data Cloud), enable this by unifying sales, service, marketing, and more with robust data pipelines.[3][5][7]
Early adopters report transformative ROI: up to 78% faster project delivery, 32% improved forecast accuracy, and reduced errors from better data quality.[4] However, 96% face data barriers, with 40% blaming outdated architectures and silos.[2]
Overcoming Barriers: Governance, Observability, and the Agentic Roadmap
Success demands more than deployment—observability is key. Salesforce's MuleSoft Agent Fabric and Agentforce Observability provide control planes for monitoring agent actions, ensuring transparency in high-stakes environments.[7] Deloitte's Kurt Anderson calls this an "inflection point," urging sustainable integration strategies.[2]
- 71% say IT infrastructure creates system dependencies.[1]
- Enterprises risk "AI agent sprawl" without unified governance, per 4 in 5 leaders.[6]
- Agentforce 360 integrates with MuleSoft, Slack, and Tableau for cross-cloud workflows.[3]
Download the full 2026 Connectivity Benchmark Report for strategic insights to propel your agentic journey.[1]
In the agentic era, connectivity isn't optional—it's the foundation for AI-driven innovation. Salesforce's vision positions APIs and integrated platforms as essential for scaling agents securely and efficiently.