Systems Integration

Systems integration concerns the connecting of IT systems in an organisation to enable a company-wide flow of information and to support integrated business processes. It requires connecting separate units to create a continuous information flow, creating a seamless information flow, breaking down information silos and transforming a heterogeneous environment into a homogenous environment. However, it is difficult to do. It involves connecting disparate datasets, addressing interface style, and processes. It is about consistency management. Although not a lot is written about it, systems integration is often the main activity in IT departments.

"Systems Integration is a process or a set of actions which ensures that the elements of a system are compatible and function together such as to satisfy the requirements, meet cost and schedule and optimize the effectiveness of the system. It ensures the compatibility of all physical, functional, and program interfaces in a manner that optimizes the total system definition and design. It amalgamates all disciplines and specialty groups (i.e., reliability, maintainability, safety, survivability, human engineering, and others) into a total engineering effort to meet cost, schedule, supportability, and technical performance objectives".

Tasks

Question 1. Using an illustration produce your definition of systems integration. Identify the main problem areas with systems integration. Identify and explain, with examples, approaches to consistency management involving common data representation (e.g. the NHS data model), compatible interface structures, and consistency across systems and reusability.

Question 2. Discuss the process of IT systems integration. What are the steps that need to be undertaken? IT systems integration will be a key activity when two companies merge, what will be the problems and issues associated with such integration?