System Integration: Purpose, Types, Methods & Benefits

what is a system integrator

When you look a bit deeper into enterprise integrations, you often see a complex web of legacy systems, point-to-point integrations, and integrations held together with a bit of luck and scotch tape. In simple terms, system integrators keep enterprise systems aligned so that you can keep doing your job without disruption. The idea of B2B integration came about due to larger companies pushing their partners, like suppliers, to adopt certain methods for sharing information with them. This approach was mostly unilateral, with the bigger businesses deciding on the integration technique and smaller companies being required to comply. In EDI integration, the systems that host and process the business documents are connected such that they work seamlessly as one unit.

Offers flexibility and cost savings

One of the major highlights of Kaseya’s next-gen solutions is the fact that they are all seamlessly integrated with one another. A system integrator person or company that brings together different computing systems into a cohesive IT solution for an organization. A system integrator either specialize in integrating software, hardware or data storage solutions — or have a broad responsibility over different kinds of systems based on business needs. You can think of the role as a modern-day MacGyver or Leonardo DaVinci depending on your perspective.

  1. This allows different systems to communicate and share documents without the need for manual intervention.
  2. This essential guide for SIAM professionals explores how modern service integration can enhance incident management, streamline multi-vendor coordination, and drive business agility.
  3. Real-time integrations play a pivotal role in service integration, acting as the communication bridges between different services.
  4. Additionally, security risks such as data breaches or unauthorized access must be taken into consideration.

System Integration: Types, Approaches, and Implementation Steps

Other integrator program benefits can include training and certification programs, free or discounted demo equipment, and marketing collateral. Today, some IT services companies still identify themselves as systems integrators, but, for the most part, systems integration is one of many services an IT services company provides within a portfolio of offerings. As the name suggests, point-to-point integration is typically a connection between two system components. Since it lacks the complexity of “true” system integration, it is often considered to not be system integration. Such types of integrations are typically used to handle a single business function at a time and do not involve any complex business logic.

what is a system integrator

Systems integrators vs. VARs

Often, companies have to combine all three patterns within one ecosystem, using various types of middleware and API layers between IT components. Luckily, the growing number of cloud platforms offer their services to handle complex integrations. Systems integrators must generally meet criteria set by the vendor before joining a partner program. Some vendors require systems integration partners to meet specific revenue thresholds. Citrix, for example, asks systems integrators to have annual revenue of at least $500 million in IT services. Vendors like Hortonworks have programs that require partners to achieve sales, certification and specialization goals.

The traditional integration approach requires the system integrators to have expertise in API design, development, and management to ensure secure and reliable data exchange between various components of the service ecosystem. This includes understanding API protocols, security standards, and best practices for ensuring optimal performance and scalability. When using an integration-as-a-service approach, this requirement is less needed.

An example of this method could be a company integrating its finance, HR, and marketing system through a common layer. The star approach is similar to the hub-and-spoke method, but instead of a single hub system, there are multiple hub systems that are interconnected what is a system integrator point to point. In other words you are connecting one hub to another hub, or a subsystem to a subsystem. An example of this method could be a retail chain integrating their different store systems with the marketing systems. This SI method involves standardizing the data format used by different systems, so that when each system shares information, it uses a single format that can also be «understood» by all the other systems. For example, a company may standardize on the XML format for data exchange between its different departments and systems, ensuring that all systems can understand and process the data.

The most labor-intensive, this phase is of great importance as it outlines the integration model, methods, and process in general. The most common reason for system integration is business growth, which in turn includes the need to add new tools or systems while maintaining operational efficiency. Here are the most typical scenarios that make companies consider connecting their systems. Overall, system integration requires careful planning, robust project management, and the expertise of specialists to overcome these challenges effectively. In one of the next sections, we’ll provide you with a detailed, step-by-step guide on the system integration project, but let’s first discuss its main types and approaches.

This not only applies to the technology that needs to be implemented but also the business processes around using it (e.g. if an HRIS like Workday is being implemented, this can include employee onboarding processes with Workday). The advent of IT outsourcing in the late 1980s and 1990s, the emergence of managed services in the late 1990s and the arrival of cloud services in the 2000s led to the creation of hybridized business models. An IT services company often provides a mix of consulting services, systems integration, managed services and cloud services. Systems integration has become less of a business model and more of a business line. With the rise of cloud computing, the systems integrator may also play a role in integrating on-premises IT systems with cloud-based applications or computing infrastructure.

By proactively monitoring and analyzing service performance, system integrators can ensure smooth operation and continuous improvement. On a more aspirational level, system integrators are the architects and engineers of the digital world. They bring together a blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and problem-solving skills to make integrations of tomorrow better than they are today.

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