How to successfully achieve business systems integration

The whole process of integrated business computing is a big step for any company. From the moment it decides to group all systems and applications, the company must devote much effort in creating a more productive environment in accordance to the environment in which it is located. Business integration is a necessity. From many points of view and experiences, the different strategies have brought success to many companies that were therefore encouraged to carry out the entire integration process. The benefits speak for themselves: lower expenses for systems, automation of processes, less time spent in work, better control of information.

-You can’t miss the 7 benefits of Enterprise Application Integration!-

This is due to the fact that integrated business computing works better. The company’s IT works as a stage for the renewal of its functions. Its capacity for updating and deleting errors, as well as cloud adaptation or hybrid operation, allows it to generate unparalleled results.

Companies with integrated business computing are not only more productive, but they also stand above their competitors thanks to the great work capacity they can assume. It doesn’t matter if the systems they have are complex, the management is simple and allows work policies to be fulfilled and its employees to perform better.

Although integration is a decision that many find hard to make, it is possible to find architectures that adapt to different requirements. Even if choosing a technology can be confusing, opting for a strategy can help to make the whole process much more dynamic so that all business information is better managed.

What is business systems integration?

Business systems integration can be defined as a process in which a company unites its different technological models so that all of them are aligned and synchronized with the business culture. When this occurs, the information that once belonged to a single application is now handled by several, so there is no division in and of itself.

As with individual information, the same applies to functions. These are merged so a complete relationship between them can be established, facilitating data transfer and the concentration of a single shared database type.

By definition, business integration promotes communicative flows by synchronizing the IT of each company. This, in turn, encourages both the objectives and the corporate culture to unite with technology. Thus, vital departments (such as management) can assume full roles in the company, for instance, business processes and other relevant faculties.

Why is business systems integration important?

The importance of IT integration in companies lies in allowing them to last over time and achieve all their objectives. When one or several companies achieve it, they are able to adapt to the different external or internal situations that may arise. This includes the possibility of adapting to the changes brought about by technological and market breakthroughs.

A company’s integration process is not only part of an accommodating and automation approach. Its results encompass key aspects, such as the security of the company’s information or having a safe handling in the financial field.

-Why digital transformation is essential for your business?-

On the other hand, when the systems of a company are integrated, its expenses are reduced, while its production increases. This allows it to grow rapidly, with an investment that can be considered minimal.

Benefits of enterprise systems integration

Some important aspects that systems integration can offer a company are:

Safe control over the information stored in databases.
Optimization of productive processes. Employees will be able to work much more quickly since they will be able to rely on a single system.
Reduction of IT-related expenses. The information found in old systems can be reused, so new investments are not necessary.
It facilitates the maintenance of the system, thanks to the fact that there will be only one.
It makes room for changes and accelerates the company’s systems updates.
It provides the ability to have a system that follows the different guidelines of the business culture established for the entire company.
Unification of criteria for wok decisions.
It helps accomplishing different tasks with the highest technology.

-Learn how microservices are changing big companies like eBay & Netflix-

How to successfully achieve business systems integration

A successful business systems integration depends on a combination of clearly defined needs and ingenious technological execution. The result should be a large volume of systems working seamlessly together to attain an organisation’s goals without abandoning its values and outlook. In more detail, let’s take a look at ways to achieve a business systems integration that proves to be fruitful immediately and in the long-term:

Delineate your integration goals

Ask yourself the question: what do you want to achieve by taking on this integration project? It could be anything from curtailing costs to enhancing productivity in your company. Establish and assess the exact systems and processes you need to integrate in order to meet these objectives. Think about how they interact with each other presently so that you can decouple them to form new, more efficient integrations.

Draw up an integration strategy

An integration project will consume a certain amount of time, money, and resources. To calculate exactly how much effort an integration project requires, some factors that need to be considered are data migration, downtime, and the personnel in charge of the entire operation. An integration strategy must ensure a smooth execution of the project; this involves everything from outlining clear-cut roles and responsibilities for the team members to allocating time frames for individual tasks.

Focus on the technical aspects of the integration

While a big part of integration is understanding the business and its requirements, it’s important to prioritise the selection of technologies and methodologies. Determine if you would be implementing point-to-point integrations, APIs, or a middleware solution like an ESB or iPaaS. You also need to narrow down a particular technology vendor or platform to build your integrations with. This also depends on the technical capabilities and resources you have available in your company.

Think about the state of your data

Ensure that your data is compatible between all your systems. Make sure that the access to certain confidential data is correctly mapped to employees with appropriate authorisation measures in place. This will prevent the integrity and quality of your data from even being disturbed.

Monitor and make adjustments

Testing and releasing the project is only the first step to a successful business systems integration. Continuously monitoring your systems for performance issues and bottlenecks can future-proof your IT infrastructure and improve its resilience and reliability. It can also help you make decisions for any future integrations you may design.

Conclusion

Business systems integration is part of an unstoppable evolution going on in all companies. Its use is necessary to adapt to new technologies and improve performance with regards to other competitors.

If you wish to integrate your business systems, contact Chakray!