Tag Archive for: Integration projects

Systems integration platform to improve business performance

This post was updated to reflect current trends and information.

Information Technology is developing at a fast pace. Many experts call IT the fastest growing area of human activity. Systems and applications integration, play an important role in the IT space, and has a significant impact on a company’s performance as well as the entire industrial and commercial sectors. This is why, we have noticed a surge in companies’ interest when it comes to integration…

What is “systems integration”?

According to Wikipedia: “System integration is defined in engineering as the process of bringing together the component sub-systems into one system (an aggregation of subsystems cooperating so that the system is able to deliver the overarching functionality)….”

But, it would be a mistake to consider that “system integration” is only the assembly of hardware and software tools together; the essence of the concept is much broader than that.

“System integration” is an activity to improve the efficiency of an enterprise, the decision-making process and the quality of the information, through an automated process, where “heterogenous” systems can communicate and integrate to each other on a real-time basis.

Most companies in today’s business environment, run lots of “heterogenous” systems and software applications, where each one does not communicate to the other; this kind of environment, creates lots of inefficiencies, poor quality of information, which most of the times results in a reduction of profits, and delays in executive decisions.

Automated “systems integration”, comes into play in creating a “bridge”, where data flows between heterogenous systems, software applications and databases in multiple directions, based on pre-defined business rules, as if the systems are totally “homogenous”

Why companies need “systems integration”?

Companies are increasingly adopting software solutions and equipment to solve specific business needs, therefore adding new “standalone” applications and systems to their software management suite. Most of the times, those software solutions, do not communicate natively to each other.

While adopting a specific software application (either cloud-based or on-premise) might satisfy a business need, and solve a business issue, it will create at the other hand a series of new challenges such as :

  • Redundant data entry; most data already exist in another system.
  • Need to hire more staff to manage more systems
  • Open a door for more human errors when managing new systems.

The above challenges are relevant in any size company, be it small medium or large.

How to solve integration challenges?

To solve integration challenges identified in the previous point, companies should not hesitate to embrace integration projects to synchronize and orchestrate software systems, databases, processes and equipment.

To do so, companies should adopt a capable “integration platform” having the following properties:

  • Easy to use, drag and drop
  • No coding required
  • Quick to learn, develop and deploy
  • Easy debugging and simple errors tracking and handling
  • Multiple options for triggering and launching processes and flows
  • Capable of connecting to most of the databases commonly used in today’s marketplace
  • Capable of connecting to the branded software systems (i.e. SAP, Salesforce, Oracle, SugarCRM…) with certified connectors by the manufacturer
  • Have built-in generic API driven connectors for IoT projects
  • Extensible to go beyond the “out-of-the-box” where you can build your own connectors and drivers for specific proprietary solutions

Benefits of Systems integration

The benefits to implement an API-driven solid integration that is capable of connecting to a wide range of business ecosystems, are valuable. Here are the to 5 benefits

  • Real-Time data synchronization

Having a robust integration platform in charge of orchestrating ad synchronizing data and processes, eliminates the delays in data publication. The data is synchronized between different systems in a real-time basis without the need of any human intervention.

  • Quicker data processing

With an automated integration platform, capable of synchronizing data and trigger flows and processes efficiently based on rules and conditions, processing data becomes also real-time, which eliminates the needs of data extraction, transformation and load (ETL). No need for a separate ETL tool.

  • Improvement of employees’ productivity

Data synchronization and orchestration obviously eliminates lots of time and effort for employees to manage and feed/extract data into one system to another. Employees can focus on business related issues, where they can generate more revenues, rather than entering and manipulating data into “heterogenous” systems.

  • Quicker Executive decision making

Having a robust integration platform in place, with all the benefits identified above, company executives will be empowered with the capability to take quick decisions, and avoid the lengthy process of extracting data from different systems, and merging it together in order to build unified data sheet.

  • Increase of profitability

The above benefits put together, will result in a considerable increase of profitability of any company having heterogenous software systems and applications.

Magic xpi Integration Platform

What are the signs a company needs an integration platform?

Following are the top signs in any company, that will indicate an integration platform is required in order to improve business processes.

1- You company has multiple software systems that are standalone, with no direct link in between

2- Your company has a mix of on-premise and cloud-based software solutions that are not connected

3- Employees spend considerable time on their day-to-day job, to feed multiple systems

4- Your company has an eCommerce site that is managed separately from the internal ERP system

5- The IT department at the company is not capable of delivering reports and analytics on-time

6- Unable to respond to business requirements from your clients, to deliver within 48 hours

7- Data is in great mismatch between systems and solutions, due to its redundancy

8- Lots of employees are working on building reports and data entry work

9- No visibility of company’s equipment data and performance (i.e. production machines, cameras, field service data…)

Looking for an integration platform solution for your business?

For over 20 years now, our company has been an official partner of Magic Software Enterprises Ltd. a global enterprise software company, delivering Magic xpi, a fully reliable SOA, API-driven integration platform for all connectivity needs. Magic xpi Business Integration Platform delivers enterprise-grade integration, business process automation, and data synchronization solutions, with comprehensive security and proven reliability. Implementing a wide range of certified and optimized connectors and adaptors, Magic xpi integrates leading ERP, CRM, finance, and other enterprise systems, such as SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft, IBM, Google, and many more.

Looking for Integration Solutions? Contact Us Today

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A must-have guide for a successful systems integration with EDI

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Introduction

The concept of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is still very abstract for a business owner up until today. More often, as soon as an SME (small to medium-size enterprise) is requested by an important partner to comply with electronic data interchange process or do EDI, everyone gets on a big pig panic inside the enterprise, and all reinforcements are being called to help with such project.

Why Integration projects are nightmare?

EDI IntegrationIn fact, large chains are extremely important customers for many small and medium size enterprises. It is therefore essential, even vital, for many of them to follow the requirements imposed by those major retailers. Actually, all the large chains use mainly EDI format to exchange business transactions with their partners.

However, it can be risky for a company to embark on EDI integration without carefully evaluating business processes and needs.

 

Recommendations and steps for a successful integration

More than any other IT solution, EDI technology can profoundly modify several business processes of the company. EDI integration projects, must be planned and executed, according to a coherent process. Here are the different steps:

Step-1 Preparing of an EDI implementation team

It is essential that senior management be involved in any EDI integration project and implementation, at least at a high level.

Ideally, the EDI implementation team should include representatives from different departments, such as operations management, sales and information services.

It is important for the team to design together a good flow of information, so everyone understands the issues, the scope, and the benefits of the project. A project manager, should be assigned to take charge of such a mandate.

Step-2 Setting a project timeline

The implementation team should set and ETA and develop a plan with a complete list of tasks, resources required, and delivery estimates.

Step-3 Choice of standards

While the choice of standard of EDI format and communication protocols is very limited, this phase consists on just reviewing and making sure all specs and documentations are in place for the kick-off.

Step-4 Choice of documents for EDI transaction

Often, trading partners specify the EDI standard and the type of documents they will send or accept. Sometimes partners use only a few of the possible documents such an Invoice EDI 810 form and purchase orders EDI 850 form.

Step-5 “On premises” or “cloud” based or EDI Web Sevice?

There are many ways to do EDI. It is depending of the anticipated transaction volume, or the size of the business. Going with a software solution deployed “on-premises” or adopting a “cloud based software” or maybe EDI Web Service

♦ The Cloud-based EDI Service is an excellent solution for Small and Medium-sized enterprises that do not have a budget for large EDI projects, and who do not have experienced staff with EDI exchange.

Learn more about EDI Solution as a Service for SMEs 

♦ The other way to get the most out of EDI, is by adopting a full EDI integration with your internal software management system like your ERP, CRM etc.

♦ EDI2XML Web Service, is for developers and businesses, interested in building their own EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) integration flows and programs. Normally, these individuals, are capable of interacting with external API and Web Services to translate EDI to XML and XML to EDI, and have the resources and expertise to work with Web Services and HTTP requests in order to achieve their goals. EDI2XML web service, is the premier choice for IT people as a reliable service to accomplish such integration projects.

Step-6 File Integration or direct system integration

When it comes to integration, the implementation should be decisive on how the integration to their CRM/ERP is going to happen: there are (2) methods to do such an integration; either through file integration, Where the ERP has already some built-in jobs to import data based on specific format, or direct integration. Obviously, this decision is also dependent on whether the software management system is a legacy system or a modern one, fully loaded with all kinds of API and programming interfaces. This part can be the most difficult and lengthy part, unlike what most people think…

Step-7 Integration project testing

Pilot projects are conducted both within the company and with external business partners. EDI test should be of a specified duration. They will help identify possible loopholes and establish a problem-solving plan. Technical employees should be trained in the technical aspects of EDI.

Step-8 Setting up

The implementation of the EDI system must be combined with several factors in order to be successful: adequate users training, proper implementation plan, and establishment of an emergency procedure.

For a small to medium-size enterprises, EDI integration is a good deal. An Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capable enterprise retains an important customer or supplier and have a lot of opportunities to enter into new contracts with large companies.

For many years our EDI2XML service has been offering up-to-date integrated solutions at an affordable cost. We have been helping companies of all sizes, to optimize operations and improve their competitiveness.

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