IT systems are inherently complex, but a lack of standard platforms, inconsistent business processes and poorly defined IT services and service levels drive up IT costs. While Deloitte posits that the same IT unit of work could cost 25 percent more in a complex environment than in a streamlined environment, the report also notes that, depending on an insurer's specific circumstances, there are good reasons for tolerating complexity in IT, such as developing in-house apps and software as well as supporting heterogeneous computing environments.