System integration can be a complex and challenging process, requiring a careful balancing of technical expertise and business strategy. This article will explain the top 5 system integration pain points and how to solve them.

Despite the many benefits that a smoothly integrated system can bring to an organization, the process of achieving that integration often involves a series of pain points that can test the patience and skills of even the most experienced IT professionals. From compatibility issues between different systems and data formats, to the need for seamless and secure data transfers, the journey to a fully integrated system can be littered with obstacles.

But by understanding and addressing these pain points, organizations can lay the foundation for a more efficient, streamlined, and effective technology infrastructure.

Read on to learn about these pain points and the most effective ways to alleviate them, so you can enjoy the many benefits that come with a unified IT environment.

1.   Lack of Awareness

“System integration in 2023 is still a black box,” says Robert Mayer, the Manager and Integration Ninja at Kazoku, a tech consultancy firm in Sweden that specializes in providing system integration for large enterprises.

The growing digitalization and the COVID pandemic forced companies to embrace IT in all aspects of operations, when they were not ready for it. Suddenly, they had to run their operations online, and according to Mayer, this experience is similar to shipping military airplanes that shoot rockets without building the rockets in the first place!

Much of this lack of preparedness stems from the fact that system integration is taken for granted, and it’s assumed that different systems will naturally work with each other. However, this is not the case in practice, and the lack of awareness and preparedness raises IT costs and results in poor outcomes.

Solution

Consider leveraging the services of companies like Kazoku, which provides consulting and integration services.

2.   Resistance to Change Within Organizations

Another important impediment to system integration is resistance to change. Even if the decision-makers in an organization decide to go ahead with system integration, not all employees may be open to change.

That said, there can be no innovation without change. We wouldn’t have smartphones and AI tools, if people never wanted to accept new ways of working. What this means is that organizations have to understand the reasons for resistance and address them for greater acceptance.

Solution

Organizations must have conversations with employees about the need for change and back it up with appropriate upskilling and training programs that will bring down the fear of change and help people embrace new ways of working.

3.   Siloed Architecture

Next on the list of the top 5 system integration pain points to be solved is siloed architecture. Do you know that large companies use an average of 200 applications? Obviously, not all applications integrate seamlessly with each other. Essentially, this means you create isolated data pockets in different applications, leading to a siloed architecture where applications operate independently.

Also, these applications generate data in different formats that may not be incompatible with other formats. As a result, there’s no seamless flow of data across your organization, and this could lead to operational inefficiencies.

Solution

While there’s no simple solution to this problem, implementing workflow automation and data integration can eventually break down silos.

4.   Government Laws and Regulations

Governments around the world are tightening the noose around data handling because if data falls into the wrong hands, it can be a national threat. Also, there are growing concerns about online privacy and data protection, and this has led to laws like GDPR, that mandate companies to follow the established data handling best practices.

As an organization, you must comply with these laws. But that may not be easy, especially if your existing IT environment is not conducive to it. In particular, disparate IT systems and siloed architecture can make compliance complex, time-consuming, and even impossible at times.

Solution

Consider using tools like Nodinite that will take you closer to compliance with GDPR and other laws around the world. Its role-based access to sensitive information limits data exposure and can protect your organization’s confidential data.

5.   System Integrations and Security and Privacy Issues

System integration, when done wrong, can create security problems for your organization. When all your applications are integrated, even a single hack into one application can open up the entire network for cybercriminals. This fear of security vulnerabilities deters companies from embarking on this integration journey in the first place.

Solution

Use Nodinite, as it restricts access to applications and data, so even if cybercriminals manage to hack an application, they can’t access the entire IT environment. Also, Nodinite’s monitoring capabilities provide complete visibility into your network and can help you proactively identify and fix issues.

In this sense, Nodinite helps you control the different parts of your IT system while providing visibility into their health and performance. Plus, it helps integrate disparate systems to create a unified IT system.

Want to know more?

Read on to know how Nodinite can ease the process of system integration and help you leverage the many benefits that come with a unified IT system. Click here to get your Nodinite walkthrough package.

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