Integrate It Right With System Integration Software!

Let’s explore this library by reading a handbook that gives a basic overview of system integration.

Well, there are many ways that systems can be integrated. To begin with, a city's public transportation system is usually integrated with other modes of transportation outside the city, such as private car services or taxis. When it comes to businesses, the accounting system is integrated with payroll software so that all the data is available in one place. Moving ahead the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool is integrated with email marketing tools so that it automatically sends out emails to your mailing list on your behalf when you create a new customer profile. A social media analytics tool should integrate with Facebook and Twitter so that you can see what posts performed the best and figure out which posts to share next based on their results. The list goes on and on.

Now, when you think about System Integration Software what comes to your mind?

Your answer could be words like ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or WMS (Workforce Management Software) which are often used as integrated software – but what exactly are they? What’s the evolution of this software? How does it work to help integrate various tools and modules? Does it use any methods, if yes then what are they? What’s its future?

We know that your mind must be filled with a lot of questions.  Let’s see if these notes about the concept can help you find the answers.
 

The Concept Of System Integration Software

The increasing digitization of our world is changing the way we live every day. From self-driving cars to shopping online, our lives rely on software and information to communicate - and businesses are no exception to that. One of the most popular software for companies is System Integration Software (SIS). It’s a type of programming tool that connects two or more systems or software to help them communicate. For example, it might be used to connect a storefront system with an inventory database.

Systems Integration Software are programs that are used to integrate different types of business applications. They allow businesses to share information between different departments or divisions, integrate diverse systems and data sources, break down departmental barriers, increase efficiency and reduce costs. System Integration Software allows businesses to move data between various systems, work with legacy systems and develop an effective strategy for enterprise-wide operations.

After this quick rundown of the concept, let’s seek insights into the history of System Integration Software. 
 

A Brief History Of System Integration Software

Here’s a chapter or two about the history of this software.

 

• System integration was used earlier in large technical systems, namely railways and electricity. The Second World War led to the evolution of new techniques of system integration. During the 1940s, systems engineering was concerned with whole integrated systems e.g.- airframe, electronics and armaments. In 1953, Bernard Schriever became head of the Western Development Division and the credit for the popularizing system integration goes to him. (Thank you, Bernard Schriever!)

• Later computer-aided design and manufactured systems came were developed. Moving ahead in 1975, Electronic Data Interchange sprouted as one of the first recorded system-integration technologies.

• The term RPC was coined by Bruce Jay Nelson, an American computer scientist in 1981 that meant “Remote Procedure Calls.” These RPCs were used instead of a comprehensive integrated system that allowed the exchange of digital documents between two parties residing remotely from each other.

• In the 1990s mobile operators began outsourcing these tasks and ‘mobile virtual network providers’ entered the market with their service offerings; they offered customers services such as online connections at any time or place without worrying about signing up for costly contracts.

• That brings us to the present; these days System Integration Software is used by organizations to improve the efficiency, productivity and quality of operations by integrating various systems with one another.

It's time to unbox the working of System Integration Software.
 

The Step-by-Step Guide Of System Integration Software

Do you remember flipping through the pages of an atlas and wondering how awesome it was that you can see the oceans, mountain peaks, continents and countries fit into the books? Well, this section is no less than an atlas for you as it caters to every footstep of this gigantic library of SIS!

 

• Step 1 - Planning And Feasibility Analysis

  To start the integration process, you need to draw an accurate picture of your current software's technical specifications and define all the requirements for any planned integrations. You must plan for risks in advance, along with the reasons behind those risks if they occur during your project schedule (tip - always rely on data backup!).

• Step 2 - Architecture Modeling

  In this step, you need to choose a common model or design your architecture to meet your specific requirements. You also require a detailed roadmap of how systems will communicate with other comprehensive systems after the integration.

• Step 3 - Implementation

  Congratulations! Your new integrated system is ready to be thoroughly tested to ensure all systems work seamlessly with all modules without losing any data.

• Step 4 - Maintenance

  Timely maintenance is important to make sure that the System Integration Software functions as flawlessly as possible. So, you are advised to schedule routine maintenance of the system, which includes performance diagnostics.

We hope you are now well-versed in System Integration Software. Let’s check out the different methods of this software in the following chapter!
 

Methods Of System Integration Software

Although the headers of this section might send you to the #throwback era of geometry classes, we bet the content is quite easy-breezy to understand.
 

• Vertical Integration

  In contrast to the other types of systems integration, vertical systems integration is different because of its structure. Under this method, System Integration Software links each sub-system with each other directly. This method is fairly simple but it can be quite inflexible at times.

• Star Integration

 
Star integration is essentially a collection of point-to-point system integrations. In other words, under this method, System Integration Software integrates several simple connections to create one connection or a star, so each system has multiple connections.
 

• Horizontal Integration

  Horizontal integration refers to linking all the subsystems with one main system. This is achieved by using a single specialized interface layer which becomes common for all other subsystems to reduce the number of connections necessary for system integration. In a nutshell, horizontal integration means that changes made in any of these subsystems will be automatically updated everywhere else as well.

Do you know what’s next? It’s the most interesting section of this library with the three most amazing books about the benefits of SIS! #EnjoyStrolling
 

Benefits Of System Integration Software

Here we present the three most amazing books that state the essential benefits that SIS steps in with!


 

• Efficiency Will Come Calling

  One of the many benefits of System Integration Software is that it supports the organization’s need for efficiency and productivity. It automates the management of various systems so that your employees can handle important tasks that require manual efforts and attention, instead of figuring out how to integrate one system with another.

• It’s Time To Kill The Mocking Expenses

  Disintegrated programs and systems require you to have the assistance of professional teams in terms of management and maintenance, which might cost you a fortune. On the contrary, System Integration Software helps you cut expenses as everything is managed at a central location.

• In Search Of Customer Loyalty

  Working with different systems and projects can take a lot of your time, while a unified system integration makes the task of time management easier for you. So, with System Integration Software, you can accomplish better customer experiences by reducing the time spent on other tasks related to managing a varied range of software. This leads to higher consumer loyalty.

Disclaimer – Before you head on to the next section don’t forget to put on your sunglasses because it talks all about the bright future of System Integration Software!
 

The Future Of System Integration Software

It is often said that a library is a place vibrating with ideas. Well, System Integration Software is no exception to it as its future is vibrating with some noteworthy trends.

The first trend on our radar is total digitalization and modernization of IT systems! This will eventually enable organizations to ensure maximum security and reliability while connecting with a range of technologies such as cloud applications and business processes. Besides this, it will allow System Integration Software to blend different systems in an even more instantaneous and configurable way enabling businesses to compete in a digital-savvy world.

The future is all set to float on the cloud; hence it will no longer entertain the traditional, on-premises method of system integration. Besides this, new SaaS vendor platforms will assist businesses to manage various software integrations provided by them. We will see System Integration-as-a-Service facilitate the real-time exchange of data and programs among enterprise-wide systems. Simply put, system integration will stand by your trusted SaaS platforms to help you choose the best and most productive SaaS system integrations.
 

It’s A Wrap…

In this fast-paced era, businesses are always looking for ways to make operations more efficient and
reduce costs. In the past, it has been difficult to make changes without affecting other parts of the business. However, System Integration Software has emerged as larger than life library that makes this possible by enabling companies to integrate different systems across various departments with ease. This is eventually making it easier for brands to innovate and streamline their operations. On this note, it’s time to wrap up this little tour. We hope you enjoyed reading this article!