Tips and Tricks to Successful Software Integration Services
Integration is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot these days. For example, we often hear about the need to “integrate our sales and marketing efforts” or “the importance of integrating new employees into our culture.”
For the sake of clarity, let’s first break down what constitutes integration. Integration is the process by which two or more entities interact smoothly while retaining their independence. It’s not a one-way street—for example, you can’t just integrate your marketing efforts with your sales team but expect your sales team to accept orders from marketing without any pushback.
Enter software integration services. Software integration services are provided by people who specialize in taking different programs and making them work together seamlessly, so you don’t have to worry about how to make everything work on your own.
What are Software Integration Services?
Integration is the process of connecting two or more systems into one functioning system. It is often referred to as bringing your systems together. The purpose of integration is usually to streamline business processes and make them more efficient.
The most common use for software integration services is when businesses want to create seamless communication between two or more platforms, such as an online shopping website and a shipping logistics program. In this case, a company will hire an integrator who will take the time to learn about both of these programs and devise strategies for smoothly moving information from one platform to another.
Benefits of Software Integration Services
Integration can help businesses run more efficiently because it allows them to communicate better with one another and to share relevant information that may otherwise have been locked into a single system. Often, integration results in fewer errors and less time spent on redundant efforts. It also makes it easier for employees to do their jobs because they can access data about their customers and interact with them more easily using just one interface. Other benefits include:
Connecting Different Apps Allows You to Choose the Best Software For Each Job.
As an example, let’s say your business has recently partnered with another company in the industry to launch a joint project. Now you have two separate software systems working together to support the project, but they need to be able to communicate with each other to function smoothly. Integration services would allow these systems to share information and work as one, so users don’t have to enter data from one system into another manually
Integrating Systems Can Reduce Errors.
For example, if multiple apps require a shipping address, it’s easy to accidentally enter the same address twice. This can result in multiple charges being applied to your customer’s credit card and even shipments going out to the wrong address.
Integrated systems allow you to use common data across all your software applications. This saves time, since you don’t have to input that information multiple times and double-check that it’s correct each time. It also reduces mistakes, since there is only one place where the data lives, rather than having two or more copies of it.
Five Tips and Tricks to Successful Software Integration:
Custom software integration is a difficult process, even when you’re working with a professional IT partner. While it might seem like magic, it’s actually the result of careful software development planning and precise execution. Having established processes for your business helps—but it’s not enough to make things run smoothly on its own.
Before you begin integrating new software into your current infrastructure, you should have a plan in place. Don’t just jump in and start clicking around without knowing what you’re doing; you need to be prepared.
Integration projects can be among the most difficult to implement. They often involve a diverse set of users and technical challenges, ranging from data migration, application transformation, and integration management to process automation and service management. The result is often a complex system that requires extensive training and ongoing support. The process of integrating your systems is not an easy one, but it doesn’t have to be an impossible one either.
There are several key steps that you can take to increase your chances for success:
1. Have a Plan of What You Need to Integrate.
You must clearly understand the platforms that will or won’t integrate with one another and share data, any risks connected with the integrations (such as data loss), and your budget and available resources before you consider any integration services or the integration of your software.
2. Consider Application Transformation if Necessary.
If your company still uses any legacy systems, it will likely have very strict integration restrictions. To get rid of cumbersome systems, your business may need to think about cloud migration.
3. Make Sure Your Current Systems Are Safe And Secure.
Find out if there are any integration-related security vulnerabilities. Having a security strategy in place is a good idea. Store a copy of your data in a safe location.
4. Don’t be Afraid to Automate.
Automation can be used to connect your systems, which can reduce errors and save time. You can also run any automatic testing to make sure your integrations work seamlessly before your end users experience them.
5. Consider Working With a Partner to Help with Integrations.
An experienced partner can assist you in putting a successful integration strategy into action. This is especially crucial if you lack internal resources with these abilities.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level with modernized systems, consider working with software integration services experts who can help you develop seamless communication between two or more platforms and get the most out of your existing software investments.
How KMS Can Help
Our professionals will streamline the integration procedure and increase effectiveness. While still implementing a custom integration solution, we strive to reduce the development effort on your end. Our integration consultants have extensive knowledge of what drives an effective, integrated platform, service-oriented architecture, and have delivered Enterprise-grade software solutions for years.
Because KMS has started, run, and sold its own technology businesses, we approach software solutions and integration opportunities from the unique perspective of both an operator and an investor. We can evaluate your platforms with the help of our software development and consulting teams, provide an integration roadmap, and then provide the tools and know-how required to carry out our recommendations.
Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your technology needs.
