System integration

What is system integration?

System integration is connecting separate software packages so that they share data with each other. You then enter a customer, order or invoice once. After that it is in every system that needs it.

Another way of putting it is connecting systems. Without integration this is done by hand: someone retypes data from one package into the other. System integration takes over that retyping.

How does system integration work?

There are three common ways:

• Direct integrations. Two systems talk via their API. That is called an API integration.
• Middleware. Software in the middle receives data, translates it and passes it on. Read more under middleware.
• An integration platform. An online service in which you put together integrations with ready-made blocks. Read more under integration platform.

With two or three systems, separate integrations are often enough. When more systems are added, one place in the middle helps to keep an overview.

Example in an SME

What should you look out for?

• Which system is the source? Agree for each type of data where it should be correct. For example: customer details in the CRM, amounts in the accounts.
• Start small. First connect the work that comes back most often. Then you see what the next step is.
• Personal data. Does data of customers or employees go through an integration? Then the GDPR applies.
• Maintenance. Packages change. An integration therefore needs maintenance.

Are you retyping data now? Then read You retype the same data in different systems. Or see how I connect systems and automate work.

Frequently asked questions