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Data and System Integration

What is Data Integration?
Combining data from multiple sources and sharing it across systems.

Most companies use multiple software systems to store and collect information. The problem is that most of these systems can't "talk" to each other and pass the data along, meaning the same data must be manually re-entered in multiple system(in the case of data entry), or, manually copied from multiple systems when the data needs to be retrieved(for example when generating a report). Integration links systems and data so that manual duplication or retrieval from multiple systems is no longer necessary.

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Do I need integration?
If you are entering the same data in more than one system or copying from multiple systems, then yes.

Lets say for example you have an order entry system. You enter the customer's name and address along with their order, process it and then need to ship it, but your shipping system isn't integrated with your order management system. Normally you have to manually copy the customer's name and address into the shipping system over again. If these systems were integrated this would happen automatically saving valuable time and eliminating costly mistakes.

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What are the benefits of integration?
Below are some of the many benefits of integration...

  • Higher productivity. Eliminate re-entry of data in multiple systems.
  • Improved efficiency. No more checking multiple systems to view data.
  • Fewer mistakes. Reduces data errors caused by manual entry and retrieval.
  • No more waiting. Data may be passed between systems in real time.
  • Reduced overhead. Reduce labor costs associated with manual entry.
  • Consolidated Reports. No more copying and pasting to generate reports.

 

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Can my data and software be integrated?
In most cases yes. Contact us to discuss your situation.

Every company's situation and combination of systems are unique, therefore we will need to evaluate your case prior to making that determination. Simply give us a call or fill out the contact form and we will be happy to review your situation at no charge.

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Services to bridge systems
Making information flow smoothly.

Your business software solution should allow you to enter information just once, then share it across all departments. Here’s one way systems can integrate:

  • Enter a sales order and the production system immediately recognizes the demand for the ordered products.
  • After production the shipping system sees the finished goods, opens the sales order, finds the customer’s shipping instructions, and packs and ships the items.
  • The system creates an invoice as soon as the order is shipped.
  • The information is entered once and everyone who needs the information sees it.

In other words, integrated systems are like a bridge. Information enters at one end and should move smoothly to the other.

Disconnected Systems

 

Sadly, this scenario is a more realistic portrayal of how software systems work in many businesses:

  • One department buys a powerful prospect tracking system.
  • A second purchases a highly-capable order entry system.
  • Then a third department selects highly-ranked production software.
  • Yet another department buys a packing and shipping system from its scale manufacturer.
  • Finally, the lead accountant opts for the general ledger and invoicing system used at his last job.
 

What happens?

  • One department must rekey the same prospect information another department already entered after the prospect places their first order.
  • Yet another department has to enter the same order’s items so the production system can manage it.
  • A third department must re-enter all the customers, orders, and products to allow the shipping system to create packing labels and handle shipping.
  • Accounting then rekeys orders, customers, and all other invoice-related data.
  • This scenario shows how top-rated systems that optimize the process within a department can create information silos that don’t share across departmental boundaries.
 

You may consider integrating systems before you make a software purchase. But what happens if you already have disconnected software packages in place?

Software Integration Services may solve your problem
Want to break out of those information silos? Here are some software integration benefits:

  • Reports that combine information from several sources.
  • Batch information transfers from one system to another that eliminate duplicate data entry
  • Real-time replication of information from a source system to other systems that require the same data
  • Modification of systems to search for data outside application boundaries

Remember, the best solution will be one that is unique to the requirements of your company, customized to work with your existing software and developed to help you achieve your business goals.

Best practice is to select software that shares information across departments and optimizes your company’s overall business process. But if that isn’t practical, it pays to consider software integration services that can allow your information silos to start communicating.

Reporteq Software is a California headquartered software integration company that helps its many clients eliminate information silos with automated data transfer among applications. Some of the data integration processes we implement include:

  • DTS (Data Transformation Services)
  • SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services)
  • COM (Component Object Model Technologies)
  • XML/Flat File/CSV
  • SQL Triggers and Functions
  • Dedicated Middleware Systems
  • Microsoft BizTalk® Server

Common Scenarios

  • Internal System Integration
  • Integration with Vendors or Clients
  • Between Cloud and on-premise systems
  • Direct Database to Database
  • Single Sign On / Unified Login
  • Payment System Integration
  • E-Commerce Site to Inventory/CRM/Marketing Systems
  • Patient Billing to Insurance Claims/Benefits systems