Systems Integration

Systems Integration is that which uses technologies, human interaction and Web services standards to connect and streamline business processes, systems and information that ultimately helps organisations move towards high performance. iSource’s collaborative approach enables effective integration of business processes to help organisations access, manage and exploit data to make more informed business decisions.

Profile

More and more Systems include technology and systems are evermore working in integrated and diverse capacities. Modern business cannot survive or react to demands placed on it unless it has a good handling of processes and engaging with the customer from every front deemed necessary for revenue. Whether it’s order information, stock levels, employee details or industry specific/ custom systems, the same programs and functions are used every day to read, write and modify data. What matters and is ever so valuable is data sharing between systems deemed highly beneficial for other information and decision making processes or systems.

Data stored in separate databases, programs or geographically dispersed places can work together, despite complexities as one would practically imagine. Integration and cross-working of systems is crucial to modern Enterprise Resource Management and Operational Systems with the fact that systems cover many decision making processes including factors like speed, cost, less skilled operators and data validity occurring at data entry.

Importance of Integration

We develop and merge systems together always remaining focused on business functions and the ultimate strategic aims. We can develop systems that bridge gaps between programs, allow the sharing of data and functions from one program to another; integrate multiple programs and operations into strong systems defined to recuperate operational ‘Keep The Business Running’ KTBR operations whilst defining processes that fall out of normal or undefined operations.

Integration means simplicity. The premise of the concept of Databases was to normalize information into packaged chunks, remove redundant data and work, and provide information functionality. iSource homes in again the concept of ‘Back to Basics’ with re-organising ones data repositories and information projection systems. For instance, one e-commerce Database could feed accounting information directly to financial accounting information. Even what seems like static word or excel documents can drive automatic updates and pull from databases updated information. We can perform system integration between your organisations vital programs and systems, giving access to valuable data that other systems or processes would thrive on, or otherwise provide people working in your organisation the ability to work better with information in an electronic and automotive matter. Our aim is for you to streamline your business activities and duties to simpler and more effective approaches allowing you to p erform and do better business with the resources you already have, however positioned in possibly the best ways.

Web Interoperability

Interoperable Web services help to ensure conformity to a commonly accepted set of basic technologies to maximize the benefit of Web services technology. We are participating in a range of industry-wide activities to accelerate interoperable integration technologies such as Web services.

Smarter Work

Working with MS applications brings in great benefits, but lacks the full integration needed to carry out a business function without invoking the minds of experts. It does not pay to employee experts to do trivial, unplanned tasks that in turn are only their for some short term operations. From MS applications like Excel, Outlook, Word and other office applications to other components like XML and CSV, iSource has a operational strategy and custom applications integration experience to allow:

• Bridging Applications
• Data merging
• Automated file administration
• Multi-Data source interfaces using Digital Dashboard technologies
• and more!

Why iSource

iSource will plan and design your architectural needs understanding your business needs and wants in the medium and long term, re-engineering and capturing design efforts by up to 30 percent and streamline the design and definition of shared object models by up to 50 percent.

iSource focused its analysis in some key area’s

• technical architecture,
• data integration components,
• process integration elements
• and international delivery capabilities.

At iSource, we are committed to helping large, diverse organisations aggressively manage and enhance their operational performance by overcoming their most complex integration challenges. This is done by streamlining and connecting business processes, systems and information to be more competitive and responsive.

Despite advancing technologies and emerging standards, such as Web services, integration is no easy task. To help enable effective integration, iSource specialist experiences in having worked with and building Enterprise systems has given iSource an edge on strong business and technology analytical skills ensuring needs are catered from every revenue generating resource.

Integration Strategy

Our mindset is designed to help clients re-assess their business environment, prioritize integration investments options and create sustainable and valuable roadmaps that tie into business objectives.

Integration of an enterprise system and processes remains top priority for information technology executives, it means the difference between landing n number of systems that practically could invoke exponential costs. Performance in efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity is our companies philosophy.

iSource is by no far aggressive and not shy to innovation, our customers appreciate this. We aggressively manage and enhance operational performance by categorizing roles, skills and operational responsibilities using technology processes to measure and manage. This is achieved by none other than, streamlining and connecting business processes, systems and information to be more competitive and responsive.

iSource always spends time to understand and assess a clients current business environment, prioritize integration investments and ensure these conform to business driven revenue systems. What organisations must come to understand is that from straightforward projects, to complex business process integration efforts that essentially can divest into hundreds of systems, protocols and decision making prompts; that these are integration opportunities that contribute factors like delivery costs and time to market, efficient reuse of assets and improved quality.

Get Smart with Web Services

To best prepare your company to compete in a Web services world, iSource recommends that companies take the following practical steps:

• Get smart about Web services technologies and standards, and evaluate the impact of Web services on your existing IT environment.
• Put standards and solutions in place to define how your developers can make best use of Web services technologies, while at the same time retaining a manageable IT environment.
• Look for pilot implementations, focusing first on non-mission critical applications, complex interfaces, cross firewall, and disparate technologies. Focus initially on Web services projects for internal use, or on projects involving external partners that don't require higher levels of security or robustness.
• Developing a roadmap to control and drive the implementation of Web services through your organisation. Focus on managing business partners, and involve them early in the process. Don't allow new technology to jeopardize important business relationships.
• Look to package reusable corporate IT assets as Web services.
• Develop new applications using a Web services application model in order to facilitate reuse of application components.
• Identity potential new business opportunities where Web services can generate new revenue streams.

Web Services: Steps

Although universal integration and the provision of seamless services over the Web are a few years away, many organisations are preparing by taking a practical, developmental approach to their Web services adoption. Those who take a “wait-and-see” attitude may be at competitive risk.

To best prepare to compete in a Web services world, iSource believes organisations should take the following practical steps:

• Learn about Web services technologies and standards , and evaluate the impact of Web services on your existing information technologies environment.
• Develop a roadmap to control and drive the implementation of Web services through your organisation . Focus on managing business partners and involve them early in the process.
• Consider the various ways in which Web services can be enabled such as designing a new application to be Web service capable, wrapping an existing application or leveraging leading enterprise application integration tools.
• Look for value-creating implementations , focusing on both non-mission critical internal applications or on projects involving external partners that do not require higher levels of security or robustness as well as specific mission-critical applications.

Using Web Services to Optimize Current Assets

iSource believes organisations should evaluate the assets and data they already have in light of Web services-enabled capabilities to:

• Package reusable corporate information technology assets, such as customer or billing information . Web services opens up accessibility to information in backend systems creating new options to use that information in different ways.
• Develop new applications by reusing existing application components . In the past, the only way to add functionality to legacy systems was to rebuild from scratch. However, the very nature of Web services means the flexibility now exists to easily add functions to legacy systems or to connect to other systems.
• Generate new revenue streams . For example, Web services can change the function of call centers by integrating customer, billing, product and services information so call center agents can more easily offer and sell targeted products and services to customers.

The connectivity and integration made possible by Web services has the potential to spur business growth by fueling mobility in the short term and universal connectivity in the longer term.

Innovative Business Opportunity

User-centric Services

Any number of services, for individuals or for businesses, could be customized to meet user needs, improving customer satisfaction and strengthening relationships. Take package delivery, for example. Each business day, express shippers deliver more than 13 million packages worldwide. Missed deliveries cost money and cause frustration all around. But suppose package delivery were shifted from being address-centric to being user-centric so that the package is delivered efficiently at a time and place convenient to the user.

Microservices on Tap

Furthest in the future but already on the horizon is a new category of services that could come in granular bits, on demand. Many services consist essentially of information, advice or hands-on assistance, which ideally would be provided when and where needed. Web services could make it feasible and cost-effective to dynamically bring together the provider and the user, while ubiquitous sensors and devices would enable the service to be provided virtually.

Picture a homeowner having trouble installing a light fixture. What to do? Reread the instructions? They weren’t clear the first time. Hire a handyman? That’s expensive—and it’s Saturday night.

• Now imagine this: Still up on the ladder, the homeowner pulls a device containing a wireless microphone out of a pocket and describes the project and the problem. This prompts a computer to search for service providers and choose one who is available, qualified and affordable. The homeowner then turns on a wireless camera. The service provider and homeowner look at the problem, and then the homeowner follows step-by-step, real-time instructions. The charge is billed electronically. (It’s feasible, as demonstrated by our Virtual Home Improvement Services prototype. And it would work wherever a real-time personal coach could help—cooking, shopping, gardening, auto repair, first aid, fitness training and more.)
• Safety and security offer another area of opportunity. Here’s how our prototype Personal Security Services works. Picture a woman walking through a parking garage late at night. Uneasy, she takes out a device with a international positioning satellite receiver and a microphone, and asks for protective assistance. Instantly, an application finds, screens and connects her to a service. Now a security representative can access a nearby camera to watch her, scan the surrounding area, talk to her through her microphone and call for any help she might need. Once in her car, the woman signs off and is automatically billed. Variations of this service could be used to watch over the elderly or ill, children or pets, or a home or office during an extended absence.

These applications make business sense for users and providers. Users are able to purchase otherwise expensive services in affordable increments as needed. And providers may be able to extend the services they can offer. For example, the elderly or ill may be able to have in-home monitoring and companionship, helping them to remain independent longer. That would be a benefit for their families and a new business opportunity for health care.

Providers may even be able to offer these services by leveraging existing resources. Skilled healthcare staff and in-house experts almost always have some downtime during which they could log on and offer virtual services. Web services, by removing the constraints of cost, time and geography, make it feasible for them to find and serve customers during those intervals.

A More Valuable Platform

If web services haven’t captured the imagination of corporate leaders until now, it may be because these services are often dismissed as just the latest Internet innovation. They do add to the Internet infrastructure, but that in itself isn’t magic.

The excitement lies in their potential application. As standards are defined and broadly accepted, the Internet will become a much more valuable service platform, especially for businesses. Web services can create a level playing field, allowing businesses to describe, publish and integrate their services, finding and serving customers more readily and at drastically reduced transaction costs.

Furthermore, web services work hand in hand with other technology advances; in combination they can transform the way businesses think about service. The magic lies in their ability to enable business innovation.

Openness to Web Services

Here are some researched facts:

• There's a high degree of familiarity in the marketplace. Eighty-nine percent of the executives are familiar with the concept of Web services, and 79 percent of them are currently evaluating Web services at their companies.
• Web services are seen as a present reality, not as a future vision. Thirty-one percent of the executives see Web services as already a part of mainstream practice, and another 52 percent see it as a realistic possibility today.
• Web services will mature rapidly. Ninety-three percent of the executives believe that Web services technology will have matured within 3-5 years.

Web services are enabling the business capabilities companies have been struggling to provide for years: connecting business processes that span different information systems, or even different organisations.

Enterprise Integration

The emerging discussion of Web services technology is generating both curiosity and confusion in corporate office suites. Vendor froth is exaggerating the scope, the depth and the maturity of a technology still swaddled in its pilot project clothes. This uncertainty regarding Web services affects current technology planning decisions and questions the role and compatibility of enterprise application integration (eAI) technology with Web services.

Background

At its conceptual core, a Web service is an application communication service, a family of technologies and standards, that promises to respond to a set of pre-defined messages executed by anyone on the Internet of inside their own corporate boundaries.

The Web services may be free, a subscription, a license or pay for use. In theory, standards govern messaging between heterogeneous applications. Those applications are "Send and Receive” messages application; a “Read” message application; and an “Understand and Use” execution application.

More than a technology or a tactical business solution, eAI is a partner to both technological adjustments and innovation. It is a vital strategic enabler that provides a common integration framework, enabling companies to integrate program-to-program business processes, workflows and data across disparate applications. eAI increases a company’s ability to respond, adapt and collaborate with innovations quickly and relatively inexpensively.

Web services are the next logical step in the evolution of technology standards. Here are the differences:

• Locate through a Web registry : Registry services are not new, but their role in the process is.
• Access over the Web : This means the service is TCP/IP addressable. This is a common feature of today’s eAI systems.
• Provide an interface that can be called by another program : This is so common today we do not even acknowledge it. Web services will likely link to eAI behind the firewall in order to navigate through all the interface protocols within a company.
• Communicate using standard Web protocols : All program-to-program communication is based on protocols. In order to communicate with a program you must select a protocol that it supports. The Web service protocol is being easily supported by today’s eAI systems. The inherent simplicity of the Web service protocol makes it very easy to support within eAI.
• Support loosely coupled connections between systems : This has been a development principle in all languages for all time. It is and always has been an attribute of design, not technology.

Winning the Integration Game

Matching an integration approach with each integration challenge is a high-stakes game. Choosing the best approach can deliver higher business value by making it possible to perform complicated business processes with less human labour, reduced costs, and greater conformance to management specifications.

An inferior approach could result in doing what you’ve always done if it yields the same old results, especially if your competitors make better application integration choices and gain a competitive advantage. In this report, we show how to select the best integration approach to deal with your unique integration challenges.

Beyond Data & Applications

Profile

Companies that master the seamless merger of information from diverse sources will achieve a higher level of process performance, operate on the basis of better insight and intelligence, and be well equipped to exploit new business possibilities.

Imagine beginning your day by looking at an economic weather report, an online graphic representation of the international business environment, organized by region and based on continuously updated external information, including stock and commodity market reports, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, trade and employment data, even geopolitical threat levels.

Further imagine that your company or division could overlay onto the screen all information from your internal and external systems that was relevant to your daily decision making, including, depending on your business, information such as the location of the fleets that distribute your products, or the current status of business assets like hotel occupancy or daily oil production.

In other words, imagine basing your decisions on a visual representation of real-time, international reality.

New Business Possibilities

For many companies, that fictional online report would be a gold standard for information integration, the seamless merger of data from diverse streams, which include not only an enterprise’s internal systems but also external feeds such as marketplace information and visual and numeric data from sources such as RFID tags, sensors and web cams.

Today, this level of information integration exists only in pockets within organisations, or in labouratory prototypes. But it is coming. And companies that master integration will achieve a higher level of process performance and operate on the basis of better insight and intelligence.

These companies will be able to do much more than share data efficiently. They will be able to measure business performance in real time through a fully transparent view, down to the slightest detail of their business processes and customer data. With this information in hand, decision makers will not only be able to run the current business better, they will also be well equipped to envision new business possibilities.

To understand the difficulty in achieving more complete information integration, it helps to lay out what that would mean for today’s complex organisations.

• Integration within organisational boundaries means linking all business unit data and enterprise application data to better leverage that information. Many companies still have islands of applications, stranded after a merger or reorganisation, that need to be incorporated.

• Because almost no organisation today is self-contained, operating in today’s business environment also requires business-to-business integration of information and collaborative business process. This, in turn, requires not only the integration of applications, systems and processes but also the development of a standard platform on which all can be built to enable interoperability. This allows information from various sources in various formats to fit together easily.

• Finally, there is real value in integrating the strategic design and business processes used for building and testing applications. Without this level of integration, any future changes to applications would take considerable time and effort, because of the difficulty of modifying the underlying codes and processes.

A Human Solution

Service-oriented architectures, web services and standards can help provide technical solutions to integration challenges. The remaining challenges have a human face: They involve how people work with one another. Too often, the way an IT organisation is structured has contributed to the formation of silos, with different individuals responsible for providing different applications, such as SAP or Siebel. Pockets of expertise and repositories of knowledge have developed in isolation from one another.

Furthermore, the IT organisation does not often work closely with the business side. As a result, IT experts are not challenged to think broadly about larger business goals or solutions to companywide needs, and integration efforts are driven by technology experts who may not understand the business processes and their limitations as well as the actual business users do.

Striving for integration mastery requires a human solution as well as a technology solution. This starts with a basic rethinking of the way information technology supports the underlying business processes. Business objectives must drive the definition of business processes, technology architecture and staff capabilities. Bolting technology onto “the way we do things now” is a huge mistake. The first and fundamental question is, “What needs to be done, and how?”

Then solutions need to be developed across those traditional boundaries that create silos. The technical experts responsible for business intelligence, analytical data, integration and portals need to work in tandem with those from the business side, who should be project champions.

The attitudes that sustain silos are not easy to break down. But they can be overcome through a comprehensive integration process that brings people together as work processes are defined and solutions developed, and that holds individuals responsible for the overall success of integration efforts.

Changing the way people work and think is often harder than changing systems or bringing in new technology. But organisations that are mature enough to strive for mastery are ready to accept the necessity of that change.

Integration in Action

While no company yet has achieved a gold standard level of integration and interoperability, leading companies are overcoming the obstacles to integration. And for their efforts, they are realizing real economic value and business benefits.

Fully integrated and interoperable systems, along with a robust infrastructure, form the backbone that enables IT to deliver value. Most organisations already have much of this backbone in place. Stretching a bit more to take full advantage of IT’s potential will have real payback.

Personal Web Services

What if finding a consumer service costs went suddenly to nothing. What if services could be invoked spontaneously and delivered in automotive capacities despite influxes of change in frequency of transactions or resources required. The Web and internationalization of business processes, clear defined work flow procedures leading to Web services are the way that the above ideal can be facilitated, using the sound principles of simple yet innovative technology, with far-reaching business implications. The central promise of Web services, which are software components that use open standard communication protocols to interact with other applications over the Internet is to make business-to-business integration easy and cost-effective.

Imagine a homeowner installing a light fixture. It does not go smoothly, so they look for professional help, possibly in a phone directory or perhaps through a keyword search on the Internet. They assess their options (home improvement centers, hardware stores, electricians) and decide whether to finish the job themselves or hire out for the repair.

The concepts of billing and revenue generation have expanded so exponentially that avenues otherwise unrelated are as related due to technology facilitation. In the future, businesses that offer innovative personal Web services will be able to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty by offering their customers convenience, lower prices and a better overall experience. In addition, these services may generate new sources of revenue for the service provider while optimizing staff downtime and dependency.

Businesses may benefit further by using Web services to gather more detailed information about how customers use their products. This, in turn, can be used to develop customer and product insights, leading to improvements in service, quality and product design.