Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for info on system integration for database and IT connectivity

One large aspect of this kind of IT that consultants and others work on is in hooking up database technologies correctly to a number of other IT structures like servers. Businesses frequently run into trouble and call database integration helpers to get things working the way they should be.

I recommend: Offshore Outsourced Services offer database handling and integration as part of their options for clients. The Progress Software website introduces more choices for integrating and dealing with your database structures.

Get conceptual system integration solutions for complex processes

System integration plays a large role in production environments as well. New system integration tools use concepts like 'lean production' to figure out how products from system integration companies work best on a broader scale, for keeping systems more versatile in order to provide the basis for system integration optimization.

I recommend: Find sources for learning about lean production and system integration at Manufacturing Executive online. Find out more at Setpoint USA where aspects of lean production and system integration are explored for company solutions.

Find industry specific system integration info

Other online sites have more on using business system integration services within your specific field to get the results your business needs, no matter how large or how small.

I recommend: Take a look at system integration products and tools for the medical field at Clinical Measurements. Find questions answered about the nuts and bolts of technology system integration at TechInterviews.com. Or check out info on Microsoft SI solutions for small to mid-sized retailers at the Microsoft website.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When figuring out how to connect and control your tech systems, try to go beyond the basic consulting services. Don't treat the issue as something you just contract out when something breaks. Learn as much as you can about how your systems interact, and how they interact with the systems of your vendors, and you could end up saving a lot of time and money.

Guide to Systems Integration Services

Using numerous software solutions across different platforms? No problem with systems integration technology

By Marianne Cotter, Freelance writer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take advantage of systems integration consultants

Systems integration consultants analyze your systems integration needs in the broadest possible context, advising not just on software and data integration, but also on processes, business units and relationships both within and outside of the organization.

I recommend: Pervasive Software has long been a leader in systems integration technology. Its Business Integrator is one of several integration technology solutions that address systems integration needs. Systems Integration Solutions is a systems integration services company that addresses mid-tier technology issues, such as technology upgrades, new application rollouts and other situations that require integration solutions. If efforts to integrate your systems have faltered, WSR Consulting Group specializes in saving failed systems integration projects. For a list of systems integration consultants, visit the Business.com directory.

Integrating systems and technology platforms: integration or independence?

System development consultants approach platform integration solutions in one of two ways: platform integration or platform independence. Platform integration technology involves a common underlying infrastucture through which different platforms share data. Platform independence sets up a client/server relationship through which requests are made.

I recommend: Jitterbit is an open-source client and server integration platform that connects data from ERP systems, CRM applications, data warehouses, online marketplaces and more. See Jitterbit’s data sheet for a list of supported protocols and documents. Microsoft’s BizTalk Server platform provides the infrastructure to connect existing applications regardless of platform between business partners including EDI and RFID support.

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) as a solution for systems integration

SOA packages the business processes of all applications into a global pool of modular services, replacing the need for traditional systems integration tools.

I recommend: The systems integrations services at Sterling Commerce include the Gentran Integration Suite for Multi-Enterprise SOA. It creates interoperability between business processes, trading partners, communication protocols, legacy systems and more. IBM’s Smart SOA has a four-tied approach to SOA implementation depending on your business model and needs.

Integrating systems with enterprise application integration (EAI)

EAI is a combination of software and computer systems architecture that integrates stand-alone enterprise applications, such as CRM, supply chain and business intelligence. Many systems integration consultants offer their own version of EAI as a solution.

I recommend: Enterprise Application Integration from eTransX is a systems integration solution for small and mid-sized enterprises. Gentran Suite, Sterling Commerce’s EAI solution, is designed for large organizations with systems that span business units, divisions and countries.

Using integration technology to link trade partners

Systems integration services and products can help you and your trade partners avoid conflicting platforms and protocols with your supply chain solutions, EDI applications and other processes and software.

I recommend: The systems integration services at B2 Integration include data and application integration and EDI process integration between an enterprise and its trading partners. E2open provides multi-enterprise platforms for inventory management over global supply networks.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure systems integration consultants address systems security.
• •  Look for system development consultants who take your trading partners into consideration when building an integration solution.
• •  Look for an integration technology solution that is customized for your industry.
• •  Integrating systems should be treated as an ongoing IT initiative rather than a one-time project.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find options for system integration consulting

In some cases, a consulting solution makes the most sense, especially if you're needing quick implementation of your systems for start-up. Part of what a consultant provides is background on what they are doing to your systems, and paying close attention can get leaders knowledgeable about their proprietary systems, so that the knowledge of the consultant can 'trickle down' and lead to a more informed staff.

I recommend: Award-winning BT Consulting can bring system integration service solutions to the table that you can implement in your environment. Get more consulting from a system integration company at Accenture.

Find on-site instructor led training for business system integration

For shops that want in-depth system integration training, on-site courses are great. Staff can ask pertinent questions and generally get savvy about how their systems work and how to maintain them or integrate new 'pieces.'

I recommend: CommSystems includes on-site training in their system integration services. Find out more about the rigorous process used for implementing system integration at the website. For a more physical assembly or plant environment, check out the system integration on-site training options at Rockwell Automation.

Look for workshops and seminars from system integration companies

Another option for training staff is workshops and seminars: these can provide valuable down time and a place to 'huddle' to address the tougher issues that the team will need to work on together.

I recommend: Seminars and other short training sessions are part of Matrikon's system integration service. Find instructor led workshops at Training-Classes online.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking at system integration solutions, think long-term. It's great to get all of your gear hooked up right, and it feels good when you can go ahead with using all of your IT tools, but for long term solutions, go beyond the basic consulting to get real system integration skills in house to tackle your own IT issues.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Platforms

In essence, a platform is the operating system for any computer related system. A platform includes both hardware and software and dictates how these components will interact. Typical platforms include Linux, Microsoft, Solaris and Mac. Without system integration, different platforms can't interact with one another.

I recommend: WiseGeek provides a definition and gives an overview for computing platforms.

Service-oriented architecture, SOA

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) programs use Web Services Description Language (WSDL) to create applications independent of the operating system. Through system integration services, a service-oriented architecture program is able to interact with the operating system.

I recommend: For an introduction into SOA and its applications, visit JavaWorld.

Enterprise application integration

Enterprise application integration (EAI) links different applications together to allow for system integration. It can connect different sets of information regardless of the programming code or database. EAI software provides the tools to implement this technology.

I recommend: IWay Software defines enterprise application integration as it applies to the company's software.

Information silos

The goal of system integration services is to connect independent bits of information, known as information silos. Independent databases can also fall under this term. Without system integration services, silos cannot interact with one another.

I recommend: Traction looks at the pros and cons of information silos as they pertain to the Internet.

Business intelligence

Business intelligence refers to software designed to report on your business. It can generate reports, analyze data and help you run a better business.

I recommend: The SAS Institute offers a description for its business integration software and includes information on the components for the software.

Open source client

With open source client, you can integrate your system to other electronic equipment like cellphones. The open source allows third parties to connect to your system to make information silos remotely accessible. To date, the largest open source client is Microsoft.

I recommend: IntelliAdmin offers a snap-shot definition for open source client as it relates to VMWare.