Why does integrating technical platforms make sense?
Integration means connecting different programs and software from different platforms and technical environments together. Integrations ensure the seamless transmission of information between various systems, essentially reshaping data into a “common language”. The scope of a technical integration depends on the individual needs and goals of the organisation using them; they can be quite small and modest, or extensive and complex.
Software integration in a nutshell:
- Improves performance and capacity
- Reduces errors in data transfer
- Improves work efficiency through automation
- Eases system maintenance costs & upkeep
- Increases cost-efficiency
The core purpose of technical integration is to speed up work processes and make them more agile and connected. Smooth and efficient processes in turn lead to increases in productivity and profitability.
How can integrations be used and when should they be implemented?
Integrations are typically needed when relevant information and data are located in a multitude of places and in systems that operate on different platforms. In this case, problems with faulty and asynchronous transition of data are likely to occur. If, for example, ecommerce data is not up-to-date with physical inventory or stock data, a product or service may in fact have already been discontinued or out of stock when a customer places an order. Situations like this are obviously inconvenient.
Integration might also be necessary when software or a part of it becomes outdated, or some technical service becomes incompatible with existing software. In order to maintain the highest possible level of usability and efficiency, integration is a technical upgrade solution.
Integration includes automation that makes work more systematic and data-led: sending and moving individual files or even emails from one place to another will be a thing of the past. Using integration means data is automatically transported to the desired destination and for the intended users. Of course, not everything should be automated – the need for automation should always be mapped and measured on a case-by-case basis.
How does your business benefit from integration?
Integration isn’t just a technical process. Because integration affects the amount of manual work people have to do, the business process tends to include much more than just stitching different programs and software together.
The re-evaluation and re-organisation of business processes and operating models is timely when implementing an integration. Usually, an integration has a positive effect on business functions and it releases people’s capacities and extends their roles by reducing the need for repetitive manual work.
The long-term effects of a successful integration process are reflected in system agility, easier data sharing, improved user-friendliness, and the reduction of manual work.
In addition to these benefits, an integration can open up new business possibilities , while still leveraging existing technical structures, making it cheaper and easier to adopt as a tech upgrade. In this way, an integration can also generate business benefits for your company.
Integration partnership with Timehouse
The integration process with Timehouse always begins with the scoping of the technical environment. The need for integration and its implementation is evaluated and tailored according to the individual client’s needs.
Planning and monitoring data systems & structures
The data models of the systems that are being integrated usually differ in terms of data structures or, for example, the measurement units that are used (eg inches vs. cents, time in different time zones, default currency used, etc.). Expertise and experience in data modeling is compulsory for a successful integration design.
Controlled handling of unexpected situations is a vital part of programming planning. For example, what should be done when there is downtime, and data cannot be transferred? How to recover from this situation? Is the recovery automated? How do systems report about emergencies? It is essential to maintain and manage a comprehensive transaction log to help track transferred data in the event of a transfer problem or downtime.
Timehouse has successfully implemented several integration projects with different companies. Because of our tech expertise and experience in integrating a range of systems and software, we often detect potential problemsin advance, and thus are able to react to them in an agile way.
An integration project with Timehouse follows five clear steps:
- Scoping the need for a technical integration and reviewing the upcoming project scope
- Evaluation of the technical implementation and its relationship with the rest of the business
- Building a well-functioning relationship with stakeholders who will benefit from the integration
- Integrating any changes or adaptations in an agile way
- The final implementation of the integration & testing and tracking its adoption
After an integration project , we monitor the integration in use and, if necessary, further develop our technical services to ensure the integration seamlessly integrates with day-to-day business functions. . We are always committed to long-term and lasting customer relationships, so you can always turn to us after successfully completed projects.
Familiarise yourself with Timehouse’s recent integration project with Duodecim – read our Case Study: WOPI interface solution!
Want to hear more about how integrations can help your business use technology and data more efficiently? Or are you already planning integration within your organisation? Call us at +358 20 749 1449 or send a message to info@timehouse.fi
