Developing a solid system integration strategy is a key part of increasing the efficiency of your company’s operations and the productivity of your workers. The definition of system integration often refers to the process of linking up several separate components so you can accurately monitor and control all company operations from one spot. Without well-developed system integration strategies, a company wastes time and money with several independent subsystems that require manual data entry.
It is a common misconception that the system integration process is very time-consuming and complex, but this isn’t necessarily true. The key is starting the process by developing a system integration project plan. In fact, the right team of developers can help you integrate your business systems in a seamless manner, thereby bolstering your company’s efficiency and productivity.
Which System Integration Strategies are Best for Your Company?
Systems integration is an umbrella term for the unification of servers and systems within a company. However, this concept means different things for different companies, as each business has unique needs.
For some businesses, system integration consists of unifying the Application Program Interfaces (APIs). In other cases, systems integration means establishing the ability to create, send and receive files in multiple formats, paving the way for the transmission of data across various applications.
After you have defined your business objectives and technical requirements, work with your developer to determine the feasibility of your systems integration goals. Conducting a comprehensive analysis of your software and systems will help determine the best route moving forward.
Your IT and development teams are part of the process, too, as they have a deep understanding of your technical capabilities and business requirements. The IT systems integration process should be a collaborative effort with the goal of determining the right solution for your business’ specific needs.
Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Systems?
Many businesses are still using old, outdated systems, so the systems integration process often requires the implementation of new or supporting hardware and software. It’s important to phase out or upgrade legacy systems since outdated versions may no longer support integration with newer hardware and software. Also, consider custom software development, as your solutions should meet the exact needs of your core processing platforms.
Upgrading and customizing your systems is imperative for companies that want a competitive edge. By using the latest systems and applications, you can improve the functionality and efficiency of your hardware and APIs in the long run.
What’s the Data Integration Process?
Integrating your data across various systems is another challenge posed by the system integration process. If the data structures are not the same, it can result in truncated data. As such, the data capacity of your systems needs to be integrated in order to ensure your servers can handle datasets of all sizes and formats.
Updating your systems will also help you achieve greater consistency across systems. This process is known as data synchronization, and it needs to happen on a regular basis since your data requirements are in a constant state of flux.
The data synchronization process requires planning, management and the ability to automate routine checkups. Doing so will help you ease the process of transmitting data across various systems without truncation. By analyzing your data needs now, you can avoid a lot of headaches down the road.
What If Your Systems Integration Process Isn’t Flawless?
Virtually no systems integration strategy can carried out without a hitch. But this is where you can benefit from a solid quality assurance (QA) strategy, which can eliminate any bugs and inconsistencies across servers. Your developer will need to fix any bugs before the system goes live. If there is still a missing feature or challenging functionality to the solution once the process is complete, new components can always be added and old ones can be modified.
Remember, the new solutions may look different, so don’t be discouraged if it takes your team a while to adjust. Due to this learning curve, the implementation phase can sometimes be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to ensure your employees understand how to interact with the new systems and software.
Th process of integrating multiple systems may sound intensive, but system integration techniques can be easy to implement and maintain with the right development team. Having these strategies in mind while updating your components will add great value to your business while eliminating any API inconsistencies or data issues due to old legacy systems.
So, how do you find the right developer to take care of your systems integration? You will need a team with the experience to help you develop a project plan and achieve your goals. For instance, the 7T team consists of experts in software solutions who have helped countless companies develop and customize their system integration strategies. In addition, we have experience in many cutting-edge technologies, including augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain and natural language processing.
7T is headquartered in Dallas, but we also serve clients in Austin and Houston, as well as the rest of the United States. If you’re ready to discuss your systems integration strategy or another project, contact us today.
