Article
Last updated 21 November 2023
After undergoing a large-scale digital transformation or even implementing a few software and system upgrades, you might find yourself “with all the tools but without a clue”. Unfortunately, this is often the case when companies haven’t had the chance to undergo sufficient training on using the new systems or can’t find a way to use all the systems coherently to reach their goals and objectives.
This is why computer system integration is important. As one of Australia’s leading providers of enterprise system consulting services, we have seen many cases of companies that have all the best devices, applications, software, and systems but lack integration, which has negatively impacted their business.
In this article, we will delve into integrated systems and, more specifically, why integration is important for business success.
What is system integration?
To put it simply, system integration in business is the process of incorporating and connecting various different applications, software, systems and processes into one larger system that functions efficiently. When it comes to integrating software solutions, the integration process usually involves linking many different IT services and software to enable them to all function coherently together for the benefit of the business.
The benefits of system integration
Now that you have an understanding of what an integrated system is, it’s time to answer why integration is important. When your systems and processes are aligned and integrated, it’s easy for businesses to fall behind competitors and struggle to manage ever-growing data from clients, suppliers and employees. Whether you want to improve employee retention, gauge client satisfaction, maximise sales or improve productivity, an integrated approach will help you to achieve your objectives.
Here are our top 4 benefits of system integration:
1. Improving employee productivity
By integrating various systems across your business with a well-architected system integration strategy, your employees will spend less time jumping from application to application to complete their daily tasks. They’ll have access to what they need, in one place, at their fingertips. Not only does this mean employees can spend time on more productive, higher-level tasks, but your business also won’t need to spend as much time training employees to use many different systems during onboarding.
2. Streamlined business processes
The goal of information systems integration is to get all your software and systems to communicate with each other to speed up the flow of information and reduce detours in process efficiency. This automation is not only beneficial for large businesses but also for small- and medium-sized ones. The integration with other systems — such as internal software and third-party systems that you use — will eliminate unnecessary roadblocks and provide your employees with the precise information they require in a matter of seconds.
3. Money and storage savings
One of the biggest benefits of system integration for business owners is the financial savings it offers. A good integration strategy, particularly a custom-built one for your specific business, will reduce costs by consolidating existing systems into a single, effective platform — without the need to buy new applications or systems.
While the integration itself has cost-saving potential, the financial benefits of integration also go hand-in-hand, with better employee productivity and streamlined processes thanks to having access to more accurate data.
4. Improved scalability
Another benefit of system integration is particularly important for growing companies. A well-integrated system means expansion to different locations, onboarding of remote staff members and new software rollouts can be achieved much more quickly. When everything is run through one, unified system, all the necessary data for your employees is more easily accessible — usually, system integration software includes cloud-based resources for secure, simple large-scale access.
Find out how systems integration can improve your business
By leveraging your existing core platforms with a customised, innovative systems integration strategy, you can simplify and centralise your many business applications and processes, increasing visibility and agility.
Lánluas has partnered with award-winning and best-of-breed vendor, Aten Systems, to underpin our system integration solution for our customers. Get in touch with us today to find out how this can help you create an integrated and efficient business.
If you’re still wondering, “Why is integration important?” our team of experts would be happy to explain how information systems integration can benefit your unique business. Please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us on 1300 924 007.
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