What is System Integration ?
Data integration is the process of uniting data from several systems so that they can all operate as one. As they translate data from several sources in their technological stacks, this helps companies to automatically share information amongst subsystems.
From the standpoint of this systems integration definition, the goal is to ensure that data moves freely between several systems thereby eradicating communication obstacles between them. This helps companies to more wisely find, gather, evaluate, and apply data. They can thus create data-based strategic strategies and more wise decisions. In the framework of aspects of your company that directly interact with customers, what are integrated systems? System integration is used by companies to increase customer happiness and streamline their product development procedures, hence generating data-driven solutions for clients.
Types of Systems Integration :
Your current technology stack and the objectives of your company will determine the type of system integration you decide upon.
1. Data Harmony :
Data integration is the compiling of data from several sources. These could call for databases, tools, and platforms. Pulling data from many sources helps companies game key points of access and improved view into several systems. Effective integration facilitates the processing and consumption of the data generated by users and their systems.
2. Historic System Integration :
Establishing connection between contemporary, upgraded IT infrastructure and legacy systems is known as legacy system integration. You therefore create flawless communication by connecting the data from legacy systems with more modern, flexible IT components. Effective legacy system integration allows staff members to enjoy continuous processes as data is extracted from older systems they still need to perform their duties from.
3. Integration of Enterprise Application Systems (EAI) :
Integration of enterprise applications combines several subsystems in the surroundings of your company. Combining several capabilities from different apps into a central environment is the aim. You might combine your inventory control and fulfillment data with enterprise application integration, for example. This would help you to make better strategic judgments about what to order and how to guarantee it comes on time.
4. Business-to-Business Integration :
Business-to-business integration is the automated documentation exchanges and transactions between several firms. The intention is to improve relationships among consumers, partners, and suppliers. Here is an elementary example of system integration: Connecting a supplier’s warehouse program and a retailer’s e-commerce solution using a business-to-business integration could enable the supplier to determine when the retailer should order additional goods by means of consumer order data.
5. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Exchange :
Electronic data interchange (EDI) exchange gives businesses electronic means of communicating business documentation. You also create a disciplined framework using EDI that helps the data moving back and forth make sense and useable. Thanks to flawless data transfers between applications, an efficient EDI system helps you to acquire more simplified business processes.
Strategies of System Integration :
The layout of the resources you wish to integrate and your intended use of the data you are exchanging will determine how different system integration techniques apply.
1. Integration Vertically :
Vertical integration is purposefully building silos through which data can be merged. You combine the silo’s subsystems such that the most fundamental tasks are at the bottom. System integration can be achieved really simply with this method.
It may also be stiff at the same time since every time you add more capability it has to find its own silo. However, the vertical integration approach can work well when you are building simple integration just required to support one function.
To find out how much stock a lumber yard can supply, a home improvement store might vertically integrate data from that yard.
2. Integration Horizontal :
In a horizontal integration, you create an intermediary subsystem between every one of your subsystems that functions as an interface layer. An Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) is another name for this most typically. Your horizontal method offers one point of contact between several subsystems. This enables one to replace or modify a subsystem without changing the interfaces of the other integrated systems.
3. Point-to-Point Integration :
Direct point-to-point integration allows two systems to be directly connected to one another therefore facilitating their cooperative operation. Most of the time, point-to-point integration just serves one purpose and excludes intricate business logic.
For instance, point-to-point integrations for shared IT systems are very typical of cloud-based apps.
The point-to-point approach provides helpful connectivity between assets even if it is less sophisticated than a standard system integration.
4. Common Data Organization :
Every system shares data with another subsystems using the same data format technique, so one data conversion is carried out. This entails converting data from the natural form of the subsystem to the one applied in the integration. Likewise, data entering the subsystem returns into the natural tongue of the system.
Using the standard data format helps you cut the data transformations you need to do. This helps you to keep the communications running your integration simpler.
5. Stars Integration :
Every subsystem in a star integration is connected to the others point-to-point. In this sense, you can improve functionality as you have several approaches of distributing data.
But concurrently, every subsystem you add greatly increases the total number of integrations you must do out. This is so since every subsystem in your network must interact with every other one-in-turn. It can thus be difficult to build and preserve fresh relationships.
System Integration: Advantages
System integration offers a number of advantages that could enhance data exchange and decision-making all over your company:
- Retrieving and processing data coming from several subsystems is simpler when you can combine and maximize all of your linked data.
- You have better data access, hence you won’t have to search and find company-critical data by hand.
- You won’t have to repeatedly manually input the same information across several systems.
- You avoid using several storage resources for the same data since you obtain an automated, centralized data storage system.
How Important Are System Integrators ?
A systems integrator (SI) is a corporation that plans, implements, coordinates, schedules, tests, and enhances IT systems. An SI helps the data integrations between the systems you must connect in the framework of systems integrations.
An SI plans, implements, and tests the integration to satisfy their obligations. Your SI might also help you to maintain and oversee your solution over time. This could also include liaising with third parties to develop links with their systems.
Problems for System Integration :
Even quite simple system integrations can run across problems. Usually, problems with the project scope or execution rather than the technology applied to carry out the integration define the most important obstacles.
1. Older Systems
Often crucial in an organization’s operations, legacy systems might be challenging to combine. Finding a data structure that fits older systems’ data format is one of the more often occurring problems.
Transferring data from obsolete systems might also be challenging since their interface technology may be out of current. Some would, for instance, lack wireless access, which would make it challenging to send their data to a 5G network.
2. Modifications in the Integration Environment
Your integration environment will vary with time quite naturally. Longer your integration takes, the more probable it is that adjustments will provide difficulties. Keeping your integration initiatives small will help you to avoid modifications stopping your advancement.
3. Insufficient Competent Resources
Even if you have powerful, full-featured integration technology, it might be challenging to locate the knowledge required to apply it. Many businesses struggle to identify and keep staff members with system integration abilities.
Hiring a third party to develop and carry out your integration is among the best approaches to get above this obstacle. They may also suggest the best technology to fit your objectives since they already possess the required competencies.
4. Lack of Responsibility
Integrating various subsystems could include several stakeholders, so it can be challenging to determine who is responsible for what. Some could be more worried about the component of the integration directly affecting their processes. These individuals sometimes be reluctant to own mistakes or failures involving other people.
Starting the project with a shared responsibility structure helps you to prevent delays and disagreement.
Conclusion :
Given the abundance of choices, selecting the ideal tool for your integration can prove difficult. Every solution has advantages and disadvantages; so, determining the best one can take time.
Many companies might find it more logical to customize their solution based on their own objectives.
