Integrations in business are a bit like public transportation in a city. Most people don’t pay much attention to how they work until there are disruptions.

At ONEiO we’ve made it our mission to make integrations frictionless by building a truly effortless integration service. 

We share our mission with many system integrators - heroic individuals and consultancies who are tasked with keeping business operations and data flowing across different IT systems.

The role of a system integrator is important but too often confused. Here is a quick summary of what you need to know.

Who or what is a system integrator?

A system integrator person or company that brings together different computing systems into a cohesive IT solution for an organization. A system integrator either specialize in integrating software, hardware or data storage solutions - or have a broad responsibility over different kinds of systems based on business needs. You can think of the role as a modern-day MacGyver or Leonardo DaVinci depending on your perspective.

What exactly does a system integrator do?

A system integrator typically builds, maintains, and monitors the integration functionality between different IT systems. No two days are likely to be the same in this role, as many technology maintenance and improvement projects occur simultaneously.

You'd need someone who understands how each piece works and can fit them together seamlessly. That's what system integration is all about – connecting disparate software applications, databases, and hardware so they can share information and function as a unified whole.

It's not just about plugging things in; it's about creating a harmonious ecosystem where data flows freely, processes are automated, and your business operates at peak efficiency. And that's where the magic of a system integrator comes in.

Why are system integrators needed?

In too many enterprise businesses, integrations are taken for granted. Your CRM and service desk need to be in sync. Orders need to flow from your ERP to your fulfillment tools. Finance reports need to be up-to-date. With an estimated 2.5 quintillion bytes of data produced each day in the world, the need for system integrators appears endless. 

When you look a bit deeper into enterprise integrations, you often see a complex web of legacy systems, point-to-point integrations, and integrations held together with a bit of luck and scotch tape. In simple terms, system integrators keep enterprise systems aligned so that you can keep doing your job without disruption.

System integrators can also be companies

It’s not uncommon for businesses to act in the role of system integrator for other companies. Notable examples include Deloitte, IBM, Tata Consulting Services, and Accenture.

When companies offer system integration services, they can provide a broad range of interrelated technical and business skills that support the maintenance and modernization of enterprise IT systems.

Some of the typical reasons for partnering with an expert system integrator include:

• Expertise on demand:
  You get access to a team of seasoned professionals who know the ins and outs of various technologies and integration best practices. It's like having a whole IT department at your fingertips without the overhead costs.
  ‍
• Cost efficiency:
  Avoid costly mistakes and ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck. System integrators help you choose the right solutions and implement them efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run.
  ‍
• Operational efficiency:
  Integrators can automate tasks, improve data flow, and boost overall productivity. Your employees can focus on strategic initiatives instead of tedious administrative work.
  ‍
• Agility & Scalability:
  System integrators can be tasked with building flexible solutions that evolve alongside your business needs.
  ‍
• Reduced risk:
  Complex IT projects come with inherent risks. System integrators mitigate these risks through careful planning, testing, and expert execution, ensuring your project's success.

The diverse roles of a system integrator

On a more aspirational level, system integrators are the architects and engineers of the digital world. They bring together a blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and problem-solving skills to make integrations of tomorrow better than they are today.

System integrators can find themselves in various roles, such as:

1. Requirement analysis & consulting:
   They'll sit down with you, listen to your business needs and goals, and analyze your existing IT landscape. It's like a therapy session for your technology, helping you understand where the pain points are and what needs to change.
   ‍
2. Solution design & architecture:
   Once they understand your needs, they'll design a custom integration solution that fits your budget and objectives. They'll choose the right technologies, map out the integration process, and create a blueprint for a connected enterprise.
   ‍
3. Implementation & Development:
   This is where the rubber meets the road. System integrators will configure systems, develop custom code, and ensure data migration happens smoothly. They'll also manage the project, keeping everything on track and within budget.
   ‍
4. Testing & Deployment:
   Before going live, they'll rigorously test the integrated system to ensure everything works as planned. Then, they'll deploy the solution, either all at once or in phases, depending on your needs.
   ‍
5. Maintenance & Support:
   The job doesn't end at deployment. System integrators provide ongoing support, monitoring system health, and proactively addressing any issues that arise. They'll also suggest improvements and optimizations to keep your system running smoothly.

Typical tools used by system integrators

System integrators have the luxury of having many tools and software solutions at their disposal. Some of the most commonly used tools include:

• Point-to-point integrations
• Enterprise Service Busses (ESBs)
• ITSM Integration Portals
• Integration platforms as a service (iPaaS)

Ultimately, it’s not just the software that you need for integrations, it’s the service. Increasingly, system integrators are turning to Integration-as-a-Service solutions. 

Services integration: the ultimate system integration challenge

Arguably, the most complex aspect of system integration is service integration. In many enterprise businesses services form the most complex business processes, where many tasks and workflows run across a multitude of different IT systems and external service providers.

Process orchestration 

One crucial aspect of service integration is process orchestration. System integrators must delve into the intricacies of the entire service delivery process, mapping out each step and identifying potential bottlenecks. By understanding this flow, they can design integrations that automate tasks, eliminate manual handoffs, and ensure a smooth and efficient service delivery experience.

Real-time integrations

Real-time integrations play a pivotal role in service integration, acting as the communication bridges between different services. The traditional integration approach requires the system integrators to have expertise in API design, development, and management to ensure secure and reliable data exchange between various components of the service ecosystem. This includes understanding API protocols, security standards, and best practices for ensuring optimal performance and scalability. When using an integration-as-a-service approach, this requirement is less needed.

Bi-directional data integrations

Data integration and transformation are also critical considerations. Services often rely on data from various sources, each with its own format and structure. System integrators must ensure this data is seamlessly integrated and transformed into a format that is usable by each service. This may involve data cleansing, mapping, and enrichment to ensure consistency and accuracy across the entire service landscape.

Monitoring and vendor management

Finally, system integrators need to implement real-time monitoring and analytics tools to maintain optimal service performance. These tools provide valuable insights into service health, identifying potential issues and bottlenecks before they impact the customer experience. By proactively monitoring and analyzing service performance, system integrators can ensure smooth operation and continuous improvement.

The changing role of a system integrator

It’s not easy to pin down the role of the system integrator because the role itself is evolving. The integration needs of businesses are becoming more complex, and some of the key skills of system integrators are becoming more specialized. 

Here are some recent trends that are having a major impact on the role of a system integrator:

• More cloud-based solutions: More and more businesses are moving to the cloud, and integration solutions are following suit. Cloud-based integration offers greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
  ‍
• Beyond API-Led approach: Traditionally, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) have been a building block of modern integration. While APIs are important, has become evident that they are not enough for complex integrations. For this reason, system integrators are turning more to technologies that can orchestrate the dialogs between APIs. 
  ‍
• AI & Machine Learning: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly being used to automate integration tasks, improve data quality, and provide predictive insights.
  ‍
• Importance of cybersecurity: As systems become more interconnected, cybersecurity becomes even more critical. System integrators need to prioritize security measures to protect sensitive data.

Key takeaways on the role of a system integrator

A system integrator is either a person or a company that brings together different computing systems into a cohesive IT solution for an organization. They use various tools and technologies to piece together disparate systems and make data flow across today’s modern business data ecosystems.

System integrators play a crucial role in complex IT projects where multiple technologies need to interact without issues. They make sure IT systems don’t only integrate once but stay integrated.