System Integration
Kwagalakwe Grace
System Integration
System integration is merging an existing system and new technologies to
form more capable systems that are intended to take on additional tasks,
exhibit improved performance and/or enhance existing systems.
System integration can also be defined as the process of connecting
various software, hardware, and IT components within an organization to
work together seamlessly.
It involves creating a unified system from disparate subsystems or
components, enabling them to share information and functionality.
Key Concepts
A system is a combination of interacting elements organized to achieve a
defined objective; e.g. a group of hardware and software components that
work together in a cohesive/interconnected manner to perform a task.
A system is a collection of interconnected or interrelated components or
elements that work together to achieve a common goal or purpose. A system
can be a simple one as a single controller or as complex as the telephone
network.
Integration is the process of inter-connecting different sub systems or
components with one another to form a larger system that functions as a
whole.
Key Concepts
An interface is a boundary or connection point between two different
systems, components, or processes, through which they can exchange
information, data, or signals. An interface is a point where interaction
occurs between two systems, devices, programs, etc.
A protocol is a set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data
electronically between devices. A protocol is like a language; both devices
must understand the same language in order to exchange data.
Middleware is software layer that is used to “glue” together
disparate/dissimilar systems without those systems needing to know
anything about each other.
Importance of System Integration
Prevent lock-in by vendors: you can replace a sub-system from vendor/seller
X by an equivalent system from vendor Y, without having to reconfigure the
rest of the system.
New products and services: easy and secure access to information across
systems opens up opportunities for new products, especially on new delivery
platforms.
Managing Complexity: As organizations grow and evolve, they often end up
with a complex mix of software, hardware, and IT components, which can
lead to inefficiencies and difficulties in managing information and processes.
Importance of System Integration
Data integrity, reliability and robustness/toughness: as more and more data
are used across systems and different work processes, a system integration
architecture and some middleware solutions ensure the data integrity across
systems and situations of use.
Flexibility: Flexible access to functions and data leading to fast changing work-
processes and workflows. High barriers between systems are falling or changing
to small boundaries as modularity is growing. A good system integration
architecture and the appropriate middleware are helping to provide this
flexibility.
Speed: In accessing functions and data across systems by use of middleware.
Integration Rules of the Thumb
A successful integration is one that meets the system owner’s needs in the
most cost effective way.
Generally, the most cost effective integration is achieved by making use of
existing capabilities of the systems involved.
Performing system integration can be a complex and costly process.
Before proceeding with system integration, be certain it is necessary.
The most cost effective integration is no integration.
System Integration Life-Cycle Phases and
Activities
Requirements definition and specifications-define of requirements, review
requirements for ambiguity, conflict, development of system specifications.
Do not make up detailed requirements based on your assumptions.
Feasibility Analysis-Determine likelihood of successful development and
deployment, examine new technologies, assess risks, and develop risk
strategies.
Systems Architecture Development-describe functional system architecture,
specify technical capabilities.
System Integration Life-Cycle Phases and
Activities
Management Plan-Identify technical architecture alternatives, specify
required configuration categories, prepare program and project plans (e.g.
Work Breakdown Structures-WBS), prepare subcontractor management plan,
prepare risk management plan.
System Design-logical and physical design, design approaches.
Implementation-identify technical configuration, specify required systems
configuration component items, procurement from subcontractors, perform
system tests, system deployment.
System Integration Life-Cycle Phases and
Activities
Evaluation-review and evaluate system functioning, test, and accept
modified components, maintain, modify, and enhance systems, plan for
system retirement/replacement.
Types of System Integration
Point-to-point integration
Direct connection between two systems or components.
Involves creating custom interfaces or APIs for each pair of connected systems
Advantages:
Simple and straightforward to implement for a small number of connections.
Can be tailored specifically for the systems being connected.
Disadvantages:
Becomes complex and difficult to manage as the number of connections
increases.
May require significant development and maintenance efforts for each
connection.
Types of System Integration
Hub-and-spoke integration
Centralized integration hub that manages connections between systems.
All systems connect to the hub, which handles data transformation and
communication between them.
Advantages:
Simplifies integration by reducing the number of connections needed .
Easier to manage and maintain than point-to-point integration
Disadvantages:
Creates a single point of failure, making the overall system more vulnerable
to downtime or performance issues.
Can become a bottleneck for data processing as the number of connected
systems grows
Types of System Integration
Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)
A software architecture that facilitates communication and integration between
various software applications in a service-oriented architecture.
Uses a service-oriented architecture (SOA) approach, allowing systems to
communicate through shared services rather than direct connections .
Advantages:
Provides flexibility, scalability, and adaptability to changing business needs .
Promotes reusability and modularity of integration components.
Supports advanced features such as message routing and transformation.
Types of System Integration
Disadvantages:
Can be more complex and resource-intensive to implement and
manage compared to other integration approaches.
May require a significant learning curve and organizational change to
adopt the service-oriented mindset.
System Integration Approaches
Data Integration
Combines data from multiple sources and presents it in a unified format .
Ensures data consistency and enables better decision-making
Techniques:
Extract, Transform, Load (ETL): Extracting data from source systems,
transforming it into a common format, and loading it into a target system
(e.g., a data warehouse).
Data virtualization: Providing a unified view of data across multiple sources
without actually moving the data, allowing real-time access and analysis
System Integration Approaches
Application Integration
Connects different applications and systems to enable seamless communication
and collaboration.
Streamlines workflows and automates processes.
Techniques:
API-based integration: Connecting systems through application programming
interfaces (APIs) that enable communication and data exchange.
Middleware-based integration: Using middleware software to mediate
communication between systems, simplifying integration and reducing
development time.
System Integration Approaches
Business Process Integration (BPI)
Aligns and connects business processes across systems and departments .
Ensures efficient and effective execution of business operations.
Techniques:
Process automation: Automating manual and repetitive tasks using tools such as
robotic process automation (RPA) or business process management (BPM)
software.
Process orchestration: Coordinating and managing the execution of business
processes across multiple systems and departments, often using workflow engines
or service orchestration tools
Integration Techniques
Custom Integration
Developing bespoke code to connect specific systems or components.
Involves writing custom scripts, connectors, or APIs tailored to the unique
requirements of each integration project.
Advantages:
Highly flexible, allowing organizations to address specific integration needs.
Can provide a high degree of control and customization over integration
functionality.
Disadvantages:
Can be time-consuming and resource-intensive to develop and maintain .
May require specialized skills and expertise in both the systems being
integrated and the integration technologies used.
Integration Techniques
Middleware Integration
Using integration software that mediates communication between systems .
Middleware acts as a "translator" or "connector" that facilitates data exchange
between different systems or applications.
Advantages:
Simplifies integration by abstracting the complexity of connecting disparate
systems.
Reduces development time and effort compared to custom integration.
Provides a more standardized and reusable approach to integration
Integration Techniques
Disadvantages:
May require additional investment in middleware software and related
infrastructure.
Can be less flexible than custom integration, as organizations may be limited
by the features and capabilities of the middleware solution.
Integration Techniques
API Integration
Leveraging APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to enable systems to
communicate and share data.
APIs provide standardized, pre-built interfaces for connecting systems,
making integration easier and more scalable.
Advantages:
Scalable and easy to maintain, as APIs can be updated and modified without
impacting the overall integration.
Provides real-time data exchange between systems, enabling more dynamic
and responsive integrations.
Encourages modularity and reusability, as APIs can be used across multiple
integration projects.
Cont.
Disadvantages:
May require in-depth knowledge of the API protocols and data formats
used by the systems being integrated.
The availability and quality of APIs can vary between systems,
potentially limiting integration options.
Challenges in System Integration
Complexity: Integrating disparate systems with varying technologies, data
formats, and communication protocols can be complex and time-consuming.
Data quality and consistency: Ensuring data quality and consistency across
integrated systems can be challenging, particularly when dealing with legacy
systems or different data formats.
Scalability: As organizations grow, the number of systems and applications
requiring integration can increase, making it difficult to scale integration
efforts effectively.
Challenges in System Integration
Security and compliance: Integration can introduce potential security risks
and compliance concerns as data is shared between systems and across
organizational boundaries.
Change management: Integration projects often require significant changes
to existing processes, workflows, and technology, which can be difficult to
manage and may encounter resistance from stakeholders.
Best Practices in System Integration
Develop a clear integration strategy: Establish a well-defined strategy that
outlines the objectives, scope, and requirements of the integration project,
as well as the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.
Choose the right integration approach: Select the most appropriate
integration approach or combination of approaches based on factors such as
organizational needs, existing systems, resources, and budget.
Prioritize data quality and consistency: Implement processes and tools to
ensure data quality and consistency across integrated systems, such as data
validation, cleansing, and transformation techniques.
Best Practices in System Integration
Invest in security and compliance: Take necessary precautions to safeguard
data and maintain compliance with relevant regulations and standards, such
as encryption, access controls, and data privacy policies.
Manage change effectively: Develop a comprehensive change management
plan that includes communication, training, and support for stakeholders to
ensure smooth adoption and implementation of the integration project.
Benefits of System Integration
Enhanced efficiency and productivity: Integrating systems streamlines
workflows and automates manual processes, reducing the time and effort
required to perform tasks and allowing employees to focus on higher-value
activities.
Improved data quality and consistency: System integration ensures that data
is consistent, accurate, and up-to-date across all connected systems, enabling
better decision-making and reducing the risk of errors.
Increased visibility and transparency: With integrated systems, organizations
gain a holistic view of their operations, making it easier to monitor
performance, identify trends, and uncover areas for improvement.
Benefits of System Integration
Greater agility and responsiveness: Integrated systems enable organizations to
quickly adapt to changes in market conditions, customer needs, and internal
processes, allowing them to stay competitive and respond effectively to new
opportunities.
Better customer experience: By connecting customer-facing systems, such as CRM
and ERP, organizations can deliver a seamless and personalized customer experience
across all touchpoints, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Streamlined collaboration and communication: Integrating systems across
departments breaks down information silos and enables more effective collaboration
and communication between teams, fostering a more cohesive and agile
organization.
Benefits of System Integration
Cost savings and improved ROI: By reducing manual processes, streamlining
operations, and improving decision-making, system integration can lead to
cost savings and a higher return on investment for technology investments.
Scalability and future-proofing: A well-integrated IT environment is more
easily scalable and adaptable to new technologies and business requirements,
ensuring that the organization is better prepared for future growth and
change.
Key Factors for successful System Integration
Clear objectives and scope: Define the goals and scope of the integration
project upfront to ensure alignment with business objectives.
Effective project management: Employ skilled project managers with
experience in system integration to oversee the project, manage risks, and
ensure that project milestones are met.
Stakeholder engagement: Engage stakeholders from different departments
and levels within the organization to ensure their needs are addressed, and
they understand and support the integration project.
Key Factors for successful System Integration
Skilled technical resources: Assemble a team with the necessary technical
skills and expertise in the systems being integrated and the integration
technologies being used.
Robust testing and validation: Implement comprehensive testing and
validation processes to identify and resolve issues during the integration
project, reducing the likelihood of problems post-implementation.
Change management: Develop a change management plan that addresses
potential resistance to change and ensures that stakeholders are prepared for
the new processes and technologies introduced by the integration project.
Key Factors for successful System Integration
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance: Establish a plan for monitoring and
maintaining the integrated systems post-implementation, ensuring that any
issues are promptly addressed and the systems continue to operate
effectively.
Flexibility and adaptability: Be prepared to adapt the integration approach
and strategy as needed to accommodate changes in business requirements,
technology, or other factors that may arise during the project.
