Business integration represents a technique that involves the synchronization of IT in business cultures and the alignment of technology and corporate objectives. This advanced strategy undoubtedly reflects the importance of information technology in the business environment.
Companies aspiring to growth and a solid competitive advantage can use business integration to improve existing operations and data exchange but also leverage workforce and technology. Those who overlook the positive impact of business integration on business functions do not realize the great opportunity slipping through their fingers.
Business integration is a key catalyst for growth that brings numerous benefits to a company including faster communication, enhanced productivity, improved data accessibility and usability, increased sales and accelerated growth. Seamless business processes probably represent the dream of any business owner who wants a better working environment and more money. Those organizations understanding the value of these benefits must choose the right enterprise platform to close the gap between various business departments.
Every company should have a proper business integration strategy
Companies thinking about business integration should establish a well-thought strategy in order to avoid complications and errors. Integrating enterprise applications can prove to be a daunting task with numerous variables that you have to recognize and consider during the planning process.
Implementing the right technology, moving data, evaluating people policy are just some of the steps that might go wrong without a proper business integration strategy, not to mention about potential issues related to IT governance. Adopting high-security standards also represents a priority for companies.
The business integration strategy has to include the financial investment necessary for the implementation and integration, the potential risks that might appear during the process, the goals of the company and the expectations, which have to be realistic.
Chaos is not acceptable during integration implementation. Apart from understanding the risks and benefits of business integration, those involved have to play their part and draw a roadmap to a successful business integration implementation process. Hybrid architecture and complete cloud architecture represent the main two choices of various companies embracing this trend.
Types of business integration strategies companies should consider
A business integration strategy has the purpose to provide training to employees in order to complete additional more advanced tasks, improve communication inside and outside the organization and reduce supplier costs.
In order to create the right strategy, a company must analyze its existing operations, identify its flaws and strengths in order to determine its specific needs and the best ways to integrate processes in order to save time and money.
Regardless of the company, business integration should reduce the need for resources and additional employees. We recognize data integration, vertical integration and personnel integration. In what concerns data integration, the company either plans to implement new systems or merge with another company thus requiring the integration of computer networks.
Vertical integration includes the manufacturing, distribution and sales of products. As for personnel integration, the staff and management team represent essential factors within a company, which means that each department must collaborate with the others.
