While 93% of enterprise IT professionals recognize the potential benefits of system integration for their organization, only a small fraction, 7%, have been able to successfully execute an integration strategy, according to the 2022 State of Enterprise Integration Report. This highlights how organizations are struggling with creating and implementing effective IT integration strategies and also in choosing the right partners who could help them in this endeavor. This is because the role of an IT system integrator company should encompass not only the technical aspects of integration projects but also strategic services in this area to help organizations avoid costly mistakes.

System integration, in broad terms, involves connecting various sub-systems or components to create a larger system that functions as one. In the context of software solutions, it refers to linking together various IT systems, services, and/or software to ensure they work together seamlessly. This blog post focuses on the latter area of specialization for IT system integrators.

What is a system integrator

Who needs systems integration?

Systems integration is needed by a wide variety of organizations and industries, including businesses of all sizes, government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, supply chain and logistics companies, and telecom operators. Our experience shows that they most often need IT systems integration for the following reasons:

  • Businesses need to integrate different systems to streamline their operations and improve efficiency;
  • Government agencies rely on systems integration to connect different systems and share data across different departments, often needing to integrate legacy systems, security requirements, and compliance standards;
  • Non-profit organizations use systems integration to improve their fundraising, volunteer management, and outreach efforts;
  • Healthcare providers need to integrate their electronic health records (EHR) systems with other systems such as lab results, imaging, and billing systems;
  • Supply chain and logistics companies integrate systems such as transportation management, warehouse management, and inventory management to optimize their operations;
  • Telecom operators take advantage of system integration solutions to integrate their networks, customer databases, and billing systems in order to provide accurate and up-to-date information to their customers.

Integrating different systems is a complex and challenging task

System integration can bring many benefits to all the above-mentioned organizations by allowing the different systems to communicate and share data with each other, which in turn helps with automation of processes, improves the customer experience, and provide a better-decision making with business intelligence. However, the process of IT system integration can be a complex and challenging task, as it involves coordinating the various components and ensuring that they work together seamlessly.

 

“The process of integrating different systems can lead to a number of strategic pitfalls that organizations can encounter when undertaking IT systems integration project.”

 

This can lead to a number of strategic pitfalls that organizations can encounter when undertaking IT systems integration projects, including:

  • Lack of clear project objectives and scope: Without a clear understanding of what the project is trying to accomplish and what systems are being integrated, it can be difficult to manage expectations and ensure that the project stays on track;
  • Failure to properly manage data: Integrating systems can create issues around data compatibility, data integrity, and data migration. These issues can be difficult to resolve if they are not identified and addressed early in the project;
  • Lack of communication and collaboration: Integration projects often involve multiple teams and stakeholders, and effective communication and collaboration is crucial for ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals;
  • Inflexible solutions: Organizations may want to choose solutions that are highly customizable in order to allow for future changes;
  • Inadequate testing: Insufficient testing can lead to issues such as data loss, system downtime, and other disruptions;
  • Insufficient planning for system downtime: Downtime can occur during the integration process as a result of system updates or data migrations. This can be frustrating for users and can lead to lost productivity
  • Failure to consider scalability and maintainability: Integration solutions may not be able to scale with the growing needs of the organization, and may be difficult to maintain over time, leading to increased costs and system downtime;
  • Inadequate risk management and mitigation plans can lead to failure of the project and a more costly remedy;

Benefits of partnership with a system integrator company

Working with experienced integration providers can minimize all of the above-mentioned risks, bringing the necessary technical expertise and deep understanding of how to align specific requirements and goals of the organization with IT integration strategy.

You can avoid strategic pitfalls

System integrators, which have many years of experience, very often have already made many several costly mistakes and now are well prepared to protect their clients against them. This is one of the main reasons why organizations can rely on system integrators is to help them navigate the strategic pitfall landscape.

 

“System integrators, which have many years of experience, very often have already made many several costly mistakes and now are well prepared to protect their clients against them.”

 

You can choose the most appropriate solutions for your specific needs

With the constant introduction of new integration technologies and products, it can be difficult for organizations to keep up and make informed decisions about which systems to implement. A system integrator can provide expert guidance on the latest technologies and best practices, and help organizations choose the most appropriate solutions for their specific needs.

Ensuring that various systems are integrated and configured properly

Another key role of a system integrator is to ensure that various systems are integrated and configured properly. This involves testing and verifying that the different components are working together as intended, as well as providing ongoing support and maintenance to keep the system running smoothly. This is especially important for mission-critical systems that must be reliable and available at all times.

Optimizing your technology investments

Finally, system integrators play a strategic role by helping organizations optimize their technology investment. By providing a holistic view of an organization’s technology landscape, they can identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. This can be particularly important in today’s fast-paced business environment, where organizations are constantly looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage.

What’s important when choosing systems integrators

When choosing a systems integrator, there are several important factors to consider in order to ensure that the integration project is successful. These include:

  • Experience and expertise: Look for a systems integrator with relevant experience in your industry and with the specific types of systems that you are looking to integrate.
  • Proven methodologies: The systems integrator should have a proven methodology for managing integration projects, with a clear process for identifying, managing, and mitigating risks.
  • Clear communication and collaboration: Choose a systems integrator that has a track record of effective communication and collaboration, as these are crucial for ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals.
  • Flexible and responsive approach: The system integrator should be able to adapt quickly to changing requirements, and should be responsive to your needs throughout the project.
  • Strong technical capabilities: The systems integrator should have a strong understanding of the technical aspects of integration, including data compatibility, data migration, and system integration.
  • Strong project management capabilities: Look for a systems integrator with a track record of successful project delivery, and that uses best practices in project management.
  • Clear and transparent pricing: Choose a systems integrator that provides clear, transparent pricing and can demonstrate value for money.
  • Technical support and maintenance: Choose an integrator that can provide ongoing technical support and maintenance, to ensure that the integration solution remains effective over time.
  • Responsive customer support, with an appropriate warranty or SLA.
  • Industry certifications, references, and case studies are also good indicators of their capability.

Systems integrator provider – why Multishoring?

Multishoring is an example of an integration provider that brings together technical excellence, communication and project management skills, and high-level IT integration-related consulting services to help you avoid strategic pitfalls and drive business outcomes from your integration strategy.

One-stop shop for all Your IT integration needs

You can use our IT integration services to assess and plan your system integration solutions, establish a governance model, design an integration architecture, and finally deploy your software integration solutions and then maintain the integrated environment.

Proof of concept

Before the project start, we usually create implementation scenarios, including demonstration of the validity of the proposed software integration solutions.

Guaranteed efficiency

As part of our IT integration services, we guarantee our clients assistance at every integration stage, from functional analysis, through technical design, QA and implementation, to providing 24/7/365 support. All that to ensure uninterrupted infrastructure operation.

Scalability & highest efficiency

The software integration solutions we make can grow according to your business needs. They also include wireless infrastructure, traffic monitoring, and potential modifications and customizations for the highest efficiency.

Easy and flexible access to IT integration experts

You can hire our highly-skilled, experienced and cost-effective IT integration experts immediately, and then expand or reduce the staff as needed.

Conclusions

In summary, the ideal systems integrator should not only handle the technical aspects of integration projects but also provide strategic consulting services. In this way, it plays a critical role in ensuring that organizations can take full advantage of their integration strategies, avoid costly strategic pitfalls, and choose the most appropriate latest technologies to meet their specific needs and goals. One such systems integrator meeting these objectives is Multishoring, with years of experience and hundreds of successful integration projects in its portfolio. Reach out to us if you have any questions related to IT system integrations.