Taking the Nightmares out of IT System Integration

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The current state of play

Companies’ years of efforts to introduce one-size-fits-all information systems have proven to be unrealistic. So the common practice today is the opposite. Most companies use a number of different systems, and with the rise of digitalisation and Industry 4.0, they’re adding even more information systems and devices, which try to become part of a single integrated whole. However, companies have often added these systems gradually without a unified concept and interconnected them individually using custom-developed integrations. This ad hoc approach results in complicated and inefficient processes, inconsistencies and data discrepancies between systems, a frequent need for data re-entry, and large project overruns. It also raises costs and complicates integrations’ management, testing and further development. And it often means basic security standards are not met.

How can you take the fear out of integrations?

Integration has turned into a synonym for complication, instability and delayed projects. So companies are right to worry. But can the task be changed to make that no longer true? Definitely. You just have to approach it strategically and follow the ten commandments of success.

1. Leverage modern integration tools – Don’t write code; use integration platforms that connect an unlimited number of systems. Then to hook in another system, you just assemble an integration specification.
2. Choose open systems with API interfaces – It’s good to avoid closed systems without standard interfaces or any support for future expansion.
3. Expect multiple data formats – Every system needs to receive its data a little differently, and so it’s good to have a tool that can easily produce or process any format.
4. Standardise – Manage your integrations centrally, with a single tool, so they can be repeated, maintained and developed.
5. Monitor, and do it well – Logging and alerts help to reveal problems before most users can notice them.
6. Engage your business team right from the start – Integration has to also make sense to people outside IT. That’s the only way to ensure they’ll use it correctly and effectively.
7. Test it – Just like with everything else, things will only work if they’ve truly been tested. Since integrations will develop over time, it’s important to know how to version them and test them before deploying them in live operation.
8. Use good data – Integrations nearly always run into data quality issues. Knowing how to prepare and publish error-free data for other systems is a key skill.
9. Introduce in stages, not as a “big bang” – System integration is a project influenced by many people and processes, so it’s wise to introduce it in stages.
10. Rely on experts – It’s good to buy integrations as a service with a full guarantee. Deployment and nonstop monitoring are handled by specialists, so you don’t need to worry about technical details.

An integration platform is the solution

Integration platforms are an effective way to join diverse systems – from modern applications with APIs to older (legacy) systems. A fundamental benefit is the broad selection of pre-made connectors, enabling quick and easy connection to Aimtec systems and other systems used in your organisation. Another important benefit is that it brings every integration together under one clear management system. Integration platforms tend to include tools for mapping data, connectors to neighboring systems, modular and reusable workflows, monitoring, logging and alerts, API management or versioning and automation of integration tasks. Centralised management leading to cost savings is one benefit. It brings scalability and smaller loads on the systems themselves. The environment is easy to work in, even if you’re not a programmer.

There are two ways to approach integrations. You can either handle them using your own resources and build up a team of experts in the process, or rely on external specialists and purchase systems integration as a service – from design to implementation to 24/7 management. This option leaves you with only tasks that you can learn quickly and that improve your flexibility and independence. All your integrations are guaranteed to run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – with no need to build an in-house team.

Don’t be afraid of integrations. Be prepared.

Integrations are a complex area that demands extensive preparation. Every systems integration should be supplemented with automatic tests that ensure even small changes somewhere in a system don’t trigger future errors or downtime. Detailed logging and monitoring play an important role here. They help you uncover seemingly invisible barriers in the surrounding environment.

Statistics show that up to 90% of incidents arise next to the integration solution, not directly inside it. Mobile devices connected over Wi-Fi that disconnect for seemingly no reason are one typical example. In reality the cause can be low-quality refurbished batteries that cause connection dropouts under heavy load. Here’s another example pointing to integration errors – after a brief analysis, the question “Why can’t I see that order?” can have a simple answer. “It’s not an error. Your order just hasn’t yet been released for processing by the warehouse.” A modern integration platform is thus a tool that can handle all these challenges – it interconnects your systems, simplifies management and ensures smooth and safe operation without needless worries.