Your company is probably using a large number of systems to complete daily operational tasks. CRMs collect lead and marketing data, a processing system generates post-purchase order information, accounting software processes payments and invoicing – the list goes on and on. Wouldn't it be nice if all those systems worked together?

With system integration at Brain Box, it's possible to connect your systems, simplify your workflow and empower digital efficiency across your entire company. Read more to learn how we can use system integration to improve daily operations for your team.

What is system integration?

You might find yourself asking, "What is system integration?" While discussion around system integration can sound highly technical, at the core, system integration is very simple.

System integration is the process of connecting disparate software applications or computing systems to create a functional, holistic system that works together. This process can reduce costs, create efficiencies and generally make your network of systems much easier to manage and work within.

Why is it important to practice system integration?

System integration is a best practice for any modern company that uses multiple software platforms to manage data. It saves a company time, human resources and money, streamlining operations within a single application instead of several. Luckily, most modern systems are designed to connect to other systems, so system integration is easier now than it ever has been.

System integration process

The process Brain Box takes to complete system integration projects is tailored to meet the needs of each client, but generally, we use the same core phases.

1. Discovery

Before we devise a strategy to integrate your systems, we need to understand the systems you currently have in place, how they're used and who uses them. Through an in-depth discovery meeting, we'll meet with your project stakeholders (usually this includes someone on your IT team who currently manages your systems) and other integral people involved in your digital processes.

2. Research

There are many ways to integrate systems. We can leverage existing enterprise application integration tools or manually program your system integration through custom APIs. To determine the best path forward for your company and needs, our systems integrators will research the perfect solution for you.

3. Architecture design

Once we know how we're going to approach your systems integration project, we'll design the architecture of your new systems network. This involves making a visual representation of all your systems and how they'll interface together in the new network we build.

4. Interface design

If we determine it's best to build a custom system integration application, we'll take the time to design an easy-to-use, intuitive interface for your custom software. We'll begin with wireframes to outline the content on each screen at a high level, and then flesh out those wireframes with designs that use your brand's visual identity.

5. Integration development

Here's where the systems integrators at Brain Box shine. We'll execute your system integration, either leveraging an existing integration tool or building out your custom solution by connecting your systems with APIs.

6. Troubleshooting

Our team of systems integrators will rigorously test our work to ensure your new systems work seamlessly for you, fixing any bugs before we launch your newly integrated system.

7. Training

We'll teach you the ins and outs of your new system so you can operate within it and manage it easily.

Benefits of system integration

The benefits of system integration are vast, improving the way your team operates on a daily basis. Consider these key benefits as you think about whether system integration is right for your company.

Improved efficiency

Rather than managing disparate systems individually, system integration makes it easier for you to manage and operate within your complete network of systems. This saves your employees who operate within those systems hours every week; while they formerly switched between multiple systems and screens, they can now seamlessly work within one.

Decreased IT resource requirements

Complex, disparate systems require a lot of IT resources to maintain. On top of that, it also takes much more time to onboard new team members when they have to learn how to use a collection of tools. System integration alleviates two major resourcing pain points. First, it helps to reduce labour coast as you minimize the number of resources needed to manage your company's systems. Second, it expedites the new team member onboarding process as you train them to use a single system instead of several.

Better data management

Right now, you probably have data sitting in multiple systems, and that data isn't being shared with other systems, which means you're likely missing out on business-building opportunities. For example, if your CRM and payment platforms aren't connected, you're missing out on an opportunity to analyze data regarding a customer's payment and purchasing habits – which you could analyze and learn from to optimize your marketing activities.

Work with Brain Box

If you're ready to connect your company's vast and disparate network of systems, contact Brain Box today to talk to our expert systems integrators. We'd love to learn more about your project, needs and how we can work together to improve efficiencies for your company.