Why system integration is good for business

As South African companies increasingly look to limit their costs and optimise their current investments, connecting and automating data and processes across CRM, ERP, WMS, finance, and PLM systems drives increased efficiencies. System integration and workflow automation can eliminate busywork and put the precise information needed in front of the user for added efficiency. This is not only true for large enterprises, but also for small and medium-sized businesses.

In addition, when companies choose new IT systems, typically integration with their other systems is one of the first requirements – many times this needs to be implemented immediately, especially if a customer is replacing an existing system. Integration platforms can also be used to migrate from one system to another – and can be particularly helpful in keeping business processes running smoothly between systems in a phased migration.

An opportunity worth taking

Vendors, implementers or partners for specialised applications have an opportunity to grow their business by providing system integration services as part of their portfolio. This is especially true for business partners, and consultants that specialise in targeted vertical applications or in ecosystems of mid-tier vendors like SugarCRM, Sage and SYSPRO and giants like Salesforce, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, SugarCRM or IBM.

Here are some benefits for suppliers of system integration services:

• Increased value provided to customers makes it easier to sell core products/services.
• Addressing more business needs creates greater revenue opportunities.
• Connections with higher level executives in the client company result in more strategic relationships.
• An intimate knowledge of customer’s business processes and data results in a higher likelihood for follow up business.

Nothing to fear, everything to gain

While hard coded system integration projects have a reputation for becoming unwieldy, today’s integration platforms greatly simplify integration projects. Not only can the right integration platform speed implementation, it also provides documentation and monitoring, not available with hard coded solutions.

Here are things to look for when choosing an integration tool:

• A code-free solution reduces the need for deep technical application knowledge.
• Visual data mapping capabilities simplify connections and make them easily understood.
• Pre-built and certified connectors to leading IT systems, speed time to market and reduce risk.
• Large library of prebuilt technology and protocol adapters, make it easy to connect everything.
• The ability to build a full-featured custom connectors for applications that can be reused and resold make it easy to extend your business.
• Use of In-Memory Data Grid architecture ensures that the entire solution is robust, stable and scalable.
• A centralised system integration platform provides a standard method for handling the flow of data between applications and systems, making it cost-effective to operate and maintain.

By providing seamless connectivity and reducing the complexity of systems integration, the right integration platform and partner can put systems integration within reach of even small organisations.

Carpe diem

As increasing numbers of South African businesses invest in system integration in order to improve their efficiency and competitiveness, providing system integration services makes good business sense. By expanding their portfolios to include integration services, business partners and IT consultants working with leading or specialised IT systems can grow their business by increasing business success in both the short and long-term.