In our dynamic and fast-paced business world, technology plays a key role while the integration of IT systems is becoming a key element in the successful operation of any organisation.
What is integration?
We can start by explaining what integration and information systems are. An information system is a collection of interrelated elements, such as software, hardware, data, procedures and people. All these elements work together to carry out specific tasks or processes. There are many different types of IT systems, including ERP, CRM, SCM, etc., which can be integrated to optimise the business management processes.
IT integration
This is the process of bringing together many different applications, databases, networks and IT services so that they work together in a coherent and harmonious way. The key objective of integration is to enable the exchange of data between different systems and to ensure that all the elements work as one coherent whole. For the user it is intended to achieve huge convenience when working.
An important role in integration is played by web services and interfaces, which enable communication and data exchange between different information systems.
Software architecture
The notion of software architecture, which is the organisation of all the IT resources, should also be noted here. Software architecture provides the comprehensive integration of external services, and is a key element in building modern and efficient IT systems.
When designing the software architecture, it is important to consider both the present and future requirements so that the system can easily evolve as changes occur. The description of the different systems architectures, the definition of the requirements and the data structure all form part of the foundations on which the integration is based.
Software architecture also involves the selection of appropriate application components, standards, procedures and web services that are able to work together in an integrated way, depending on the types of the IT systems and the specific needs of the organisation. There are many different approaches to architectural design, and these include monolithic or microservice architectures, which allows flexible management of the different modules in the system.
While implementing the architecture, the relevant data models, procedures and communication methods are documented and strictly adhered to. System analysis and product concept modelling are key steps in the project development process, taking into account both the business and technical requirements. All constraints and tasks are carefully considered in order to deliver a complete system that meets the expectations of the organisation.
Most companies today, regardless of their industry, use multiple IT systems to manage the different aspects of their business, such as customer management, accounting, documentation, production, logistics or human resources management. Without proper integration of these systems, organisations can face a variety of problems, including duplicate data, lack of consistency, and limited reporting and analysis capabilities.
Collaboration between the different systems within a company is not only a matter of effective management, but also one of maintaining a competitive advantage. Through integration, organisations can use existing resources in various ways, optimising the different functions and processes. Whether dealing with internal or external systems, a properly designed software architecture allows organisations to have a better future.
What benefits can organisations gain from integrating IT systems?
The choice to head towards integration can have many positive effects:
- Effective data management: system integration can ensure that all the data is automatically transferred between different applications, eliminating the need to manually enter the same information in multiple places. This not only avoids mistakes but saves time.
- Improving productivity: this makes it possible to automate many business processes and working methods, resulting in increased employee productivity.
- Improved data analysis and reporting: thanks to this, all data is collected in one central location, making it easier to analyse and generate reports. The company’s activities are therefore better monitored, allowing for more relevant and data-driven business decisions.
- Excellent customer service: this can improve customer service by allowing access to the full history of customer contacts and up-to-date information on customer needs.
- Scalability and flexibility: this allows new systems and technologies to be implemented more easily, as already existing applications can be adapted to work with new ones. This in turn enables organisations to adapt to changing market and technological requirements.
Types of system integration
Integration can take many forms, depending on the operating system and the computer system, to create decision support systems that achieve interoperability. This may include the linking of all systems into a single network or the linking of different external services, including email, bank accounts, etc.
Integration can also be used to connect systems in other networks, such as corporations or international organisations.
- Application Integration: this involves combining different applications in such a way that they work together as a coherent system. It may include both local and cloud-based applications.
- Data Integration: this focuses on synchronising, aggregating and normalising data from different sources to enable consistent access to information.
- Process Integration: this refers to the harmonisation of the business processes between a variety of systems, allowing better collaboration between different departments within an organisation.
- Business-to-Business Integration: this enables the exchange of data between companies, which is particularly important in today’s global economy.
Typical examples of integration in the translation industry
Translation and localisation are key elements of today’s global market. The rapidly growing translation industry also also has to move towards better modern solutions, including integration.
Professional translation agencies, businesses, marketing agencies and IT companies are all increasingly using advanced translation management tools. Thanks to the integration between them, users and project managers can seamlessly upload, update and manage translations between different platforms, significantly simplifying the translation process and improving collaboration within the translation teams.
One example of integration in the translation industry is the that between the orders in the content management systems (CMS) and the CAT tools.
Content Management Systems for the translation industry are programmes that coordinate the work of translators and project managers. They combine tools for managing translation projects and supporting sales processes, invoice management and customer and service provider databases. A CMS often also includes an email module, as well as the possibility of integration with various CAT (computer assisted translation) systems.
Properly integrated into the CMS, the CAT programme is connected to an external server, where the data is automatically saved and backed up. As a result, there is no need to worry about data loss due to computer or disk damage. All content is accessible from a web browser directly in the CMS, without the need to log into the CAT programme. This makes use of the functionalities of two programmes, physically using only one of them, which saves a lot of time. While this this is really a topic for a separate article, the system is virus-proof, ensuring total data security.
And not just advantages alone
The integration of IT systems can be a complex software development process that requires the consideration of various aspects, such as operating systems, enterprise architecture, security, scalability, as well as compliance with laws and regulations. These are not only the challenges that await the programmer in relation to the technical aspects, but also the multifaceted challenges that affect the entire organisation. Some of the main integration challenges are:
Technological compatibility: different systems may use separate technologies and standards, which can make it difficult to combine them.
Data security: integration can potentially introduce new attack points for the data, so it is important to properly secure the entire process.
Costs and resources: system integration can be costly, both in terms of the costs and the resources. Functional requirements can often exceed a company’s capacity. Integration requires the right investment as well as suitable professionals to implement it.
Integration between software systems can be used to increase work efficiency. It can also help to reduce costs by improving data use and streamlining the processes. On the other hand, it requires a huge amount of money and effort on the part of the staff.
The actual integration process between one software system and another can be very complex, but it is key to achieving the intended goal. To ensure that the integration process runs smoothly, its planning should be done first. This approach is extremely important, especially in the digital age, where speed, efficiency and effectiveness are crucial to a company’s success. Therefore, integration between IT systems is worthwhile and should be used to maximise work efficiency.
In summary:
The integration of management information systems is indispensable to the success of modern businesses. The choice of appropriate software architecture, based on the relevant standards and technological approaches, enables the effective management of different systems, which contributes to achieving the organisation’s strategic goals and dynamic growth in a dynamic digital world. Integration will become increasingly important in the future as technology and business needs evolve.
In summary, the integration of IT systems is a process that enables the exchange of data between different IT systems. It can affect functional collaboration, improve communications between different departments or processes within the company, and accelerate the various stages of project implementation.
In addition, it can influence the streamlining of team management, enable the tracking of time spent on a given task or the tracking of working time, and allow the automatic generation of reports and statements. The possibilities are almost endless.
At Skrivank, our focus is on the needs of all our customers, which is why we try to take a flexible approach to every order. We continue to learn about and implement new technologies, and we are continuously developing. We use the experience we have gained over the years to find the best possible solution for you. If you have a question about the best way to translate your website, get in touch with us! If you need help with translation, then just write to us, as we can help you select the most optimal choice.