Because technology is capable of automating processes, generating opportunities, and even tracing consumption patterns, many companies have invested in their own software to ensure improvements in their performance. But what if the programs could work together and deliver even more performance?
In this case, we are talking about systems integration. It is not a mere utopia: it is a practice already established in the market to ensure the exchange of data between different applications, bringing the agility of technology to all sectors.
Therefore, we prepared a post about it and also described the steps that must be completed during the implementation. Follow along and learn more!
How does system integration work?
Systems integration is a set of procedures in which the company creates a way to get technologies to exchange information. This enhances the use of various types of applications and brings different sectors closer.
This is possible because of the APIs, which act as a kind of “bridge” between applications and facilitate the complementation of routines. They play a prominent role in this system integration process, as they provide data collection and transmission between different technologies, standardizing processes.
Thus, routine activities that require the use of more than one system, such as issuing invoices or even the delivery of products, start to occur in a more agile and safe way. This integration is essential to use IT solutions for and maintain competitiveness.
In addition, the company gains in performance and eliminates recurring errors, which lead to rework — and consequently, to loss of time. It is an investment with high ROI, the indicator that assures the return on spending on technology.
However, the advantages are not limited to performance and availability. Another differential is the general increase in the security of systems, in addition to the agile updates of data and information with which employees work.
What are the steps of system integration?
Align technology
The first step towards successful integration is to align technology with the needs of the company. Thus, it is critical that all teams work together during procedures as a way to reduce conflicts and ensure proper implementation.
When company leaders work seamlessly with different teams, exchanging ideas about operational goals and the best ways to achieve this, it’s easier to define which applications should be prioritized. In addition, the company can rely on IT consulting to facilitate the insertion of technologies.
Know the internal processes
In addition to aligning needs with different teams, it is essential to perform internal process mapping to drive systems integration. This involves studying the internal routines and applications that are already used.
This will make it easier to evaluate the best ways to integrate applications, as managers will have a broad view of how processes are structured and conducted. It is important to understand that the procedures should optimize the company’s activities, so there is no point in investing in this procedure without thoroughly mapping the operations first.
Determine objectives and evaluate solutions
Before you start the procedures, evaluate the options available on the market. This encompasses both the choice of partners who will help you in the process and the technological solutions they offer to achieve this in an agile way.
It is essential to choose a tool that aligns with the company profile and has features compatible with the infrastructure already in operation within the organization. To further choose, you need to opt for solutions with good user support and efficient security controls.
That’s because taking these precautions ensures that the company hires digital solutions that maintain system availability and good protection against cyberattacks and information leaks.
Check the infrastructure
The overall performance of the company’s IT infrastructure will be directly affected by system integration —positively or not. Therefore, if overall performance is already low, the organization will have to deal with many bottlenecks. They are responsible for the loss of competitiveness and consequently negatively affect profits.
Therefore, it is very important to collect data on the solutions that record the worst performances and direct the integration strategy to optimize them. Managers and IT staff also need to properly evaluate the organization of the devices, as the procedures will affect multiple applications.
To deal with this, a good measure is to create comprehensive documentation that addresses infrastructure data, mapping integrations already in operation, security-related standards, and other information.
Train users
Training users (i.e. employees) is essential for any technology project to succeed. This is especially important when integration occurs, as any error can end up influencing multiple systems.
Thus, it is important that managers create a routine of courses and training to ensure that employees have full mastery of the new tool. In addition to modernizing processes and ensuring more talented employees, this will ensure that the company can reduce the time spent to reap the results of new practices.
It is important to note that systems integration becomes really valuable when all employees seconded to that purpose are able to optimize their activities through that investment in technology. Therefore, make sure that all employees who will use the new tools receive quality training.
Count on quality advice
To ensure that integration takes place in a practical way and even as a way to avoid clumsy interventions —which can cause indefinite activity to stop—a great measure is to rely on expert IT consultants.
Kazap understands the need to innovate and use state-of-the-art technology to differentiate itself in an extremely competitive market. Therefore, we work together, seeking the best solutions for the company to gain in availability, performance, and agility.
As we saw in the article, the integration of systems allows different technologies to complement each other. This generates more productivity for employees, as well as brings the different sectors closer together. If each segment of a company works with its own software, for example, it ensures the alignment of activities through the ability to make the tools contribute themselves to common goals.
Did you like the post and are interested in the possibility of integrating your own systems? So please contact us to understand how this can be done!
