How Businesses can Enhance their Digital Ecosystem through System Integration

Are you struggling with a lack of data cohesion and finding it difficult to maintain control over multiple complex software applications in your business? If yes, don’t worry; you are not alone in the struggle.

Many businesses confront the challenges of data silos and complex software integration issues daily, impeding their efficiency and hindering growth. As per the research:

• A quarter of supply chain companies may lose over $500K per year because of poor business process integration
• 44% of marketers see poor integration as a top challenge for succeeding in generating valuable insights from data
• 38% of respondents see the integration of siloed business software applications as their biggest challenge to digital transformation

System integration is the process of connecting multiple applications and systems so that there is a seamless flow of data and information. Companies reach out to system integrators (SIs) which may be an individual or a company that helps them bridge scattered applications from different vendors and ensures these applications function in accordance and collaboration with one another. This blog talks about the most common type of system integrations.

1. Legacy System Integration

Retailers spend nearly 60% of their IT budget on maintaining legacy systems. Legacy systems refer to any outdated technology, application, or computer system compared to the standards and expectations of the current IT arena. While legacy systems are usually decades old, in some cases, they are not deemed legacy systems by age but are not in a position to meet business requirements. US government agencies use legacy systems that are up to 50 years old. The Operating and maintenance cost of these systems is over $300 million annually.

In some organizations, legacy systems are embedded in the processes to the extent that they cannot be replaced or removed. In such cases, upgrading legacy systems by building a communication channel or a bridge with the new systems is beneficial for the organization to leverage the functionalities of new systems while keeping the legacy systems intact. Legacy system integration enables the complex integration of multiple new and old systems and platforms to provide a seamless, user-friendly experience through business process automation.

2. Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

As an organization grows, it adopts several enterprise applications that streamline the management of front-office and back-office functions. At this point, manually sharing data across all of these is impractical. Also, what if the business wants to replace one tool with another? Sounds like even more work for employees. Eventually, this business will end up with data silos, which means less transparency, collaboration, and slower growth. Any business that undergoes significant scaling needs a way to connect and regroup applications with the minimum possible human effort. This is where enterprise application integration comes into play. EAI helps businesses by facilitating easy data transfers between distinct pieces of software. EAI splits up data silos, saves employees time and effort, and can lead to better business resolutions by providing employees with easier access to more data.

3. Third-Party System Integration

With the emphasis shifting to providing a high-quality user experience, modern businesses have seen an increase in the demand for programs that can do far more than a standard computer program could. Third-party integrations define their credibility in terms of a readily available, cost-effective, and simple-to-implement solution that aims to create an exceptional consumer experience. Third-party system integration is a tool that enables a company to extend the functionality of its existing software by connecting with another platform. This type of integration allows them to collect and share information between various applications and systems. It also allows them to complete multiple business functions in a single place while still retaining all essential data wherever necessary across third-party integration tools.

4. Business-to-Business Integration

Organizations observe that slow, hamstrung, error-prone manual information processing isn’t sustainable in a digitally- connected world. And every business has its blend of systems and operations for exchanging files and messages with partners. Divergent technologies make it complex to communicate. To accomplish objectives like increasing profits, speeding time to market, and enhancing productivity, organizations need a successful business network — and that requires a modern B2B integration solution. The ultimate objective of B2B integration is to mitigate external logistic workflows and system integration throughout the force and value chains. But B2B integration also sets the table for end-to-end process implementation– including business process operation, multi-protocol support, and force chain visibility– for comprehensive control of your key business data exchanges. In addition to these benefits, organizations deploying a robust B2B integration platform procure improved partner onboarding, expanded governance, and comprehensive visibility.

Companies may have the best integration technologies in place, but without human knowledge and expertise, the entire benefits of technology can’t be unleashed. Designing and implementing the integration projects might be cumbersome if you plan to do it on your own; however, by hiring a System Integrator (SI), you can leverage all the required resources and experience of the SI.

A System Integrator (SI) is an individual or a company that helps companies bridge scattered and isolated computer subsystems, business processes, and workflows and ensures that the different systems and processes function in accordance and synchronization with one another. System integrators perform multiple tasks such as planning, regulating, testing, and often maintaining computer operations while saving time, money, and effort. At iQuasar, we provide bespoke solutions to meet your unique business needs and requirements, yielding integration that is tailored to your environment. With our system integration process, data accessibility across the organization is optimized by synchronizing all interconnected systems. Our expertise in maintenance and support keeps your integrated systems and applications functioning optimally, while our responsive team is always on hand to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

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