Systems Integration

Logical Integration:
- Develop information systems that enable organizations to share data with all stakeholders based on need and authorization.
- Management must adjust organizational structures, processes, and employee roles and responsibilities.
Physical Integration:
- Provide seamless connectivity between heterogeneous systems.
Business Process Reengineering:
- Involves changing the mindset of employees to encourage and enable them to perform tasks in a new way.
Problems
- Organizational Silos is generally bad for organizations as broken down in Business Process and Silos

Steps in Integrating Systems

These problems are solved by implementing a Enterprise System Architecture (ESA)

Resource Categorization:
- Take an inventory of hardware and software resources, focusing on vendors, operating systems, and IS architecture.
Compliance and Standards:
- Ensure that databases and technologies used support relevant standards.
Legacy Systems Support:
- Develop a policy to support older legacy applications.
Middleware Tools:
- Use middleware tools for integration if existing applications must be utilized in the short term.
Authentication and Authorization Policies:
- Implement a single sign-on policy for application and data access to enable access from anywhere, anytime.
Centralized IT Services and Support:
- Ensure IT staff can support all applications and platforms through a centralized IT help desk.
Back-up, Recovery, and Security:
- Establish a robust back-up and recovery system to handle system failures or major disasters.
Hardware and Software Standardization:
- Develop organizational standards and policies for acquiring new hardware and software that align with the IT strategy.

System integration offers many hidden benefits, including:
- Enabling decision-making to be cascaded across all departments.
- Allowing employees at lower levels to make better decisions when interacting with clients or partners.

System integration presents several challenges, such as:
- Replacing old hardware and software.
- Working with IT consultants.
- Addressing human challenges, including:
  - Impact on IT staff.
  - Department heads losing control of data.
  - Rumors of layoffs.