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System integration refers to the process of combining, configuring, and connecting disparate computer sub-systems to function as a comprehensive IT infrastructure. System integrators are corporate enterprises specializing in building their small business clients’ IT infrastructure from scratch. These companies employ teams of specialists capable of combining standalone hardware, software, storage, and networking sub-systems from multiple vendors. The experts then integrate, configure, and synchronize these sub-systems to ensure they function as a comprehensive IT solution. This enables small entrepreneurs to align inexpensive, commercially available, off-the-shelf, pre-configured computer components to build their business IT infrastructure. In the process, they can save a considerable sum of money.
Why do small start-up businesses need to hire a system integrator?
Entrepreneurs operating small start-up businesses initially run their commercial operations using on-premises off-the-shelf software applications. However, as the scale of their operations increases, these disparate applications might not be adequate to meet their specific business needs. Moreover, entrepreneurs often need to acquire additional software solutions to automate and streamline critical business activities. These include material procurement, finance, accounting, inventory control, sales, marketing, customer service.
In such a scenario, the entrepreneurs need a system integrator who implements a platform that can integrate, configure and synchronize these standalone software solutions. This enables the start-up businesses to enhance internal efficiency to reduce costs and enhance profit margins.
What functions does a system integrator perform?
Start-up entrepreneurs who choose to hire a system integrator need to work closely with the company to build their IT infrastructure. This corporate enterprise’s first step to formulating and implementing their clients’ IT integration process is to conduct a feasibility study. This enables the company to prepare an integration plan which:
- Assesses the entrepreneurs’ specific business needs, and
- Identifies the technical specifications for the IT system which meets these requirements.
The system integrator executes a process that involves building customized software applications and hardware IT architecture. This company often has to integrate these components with existing hardware, custom business software applications, and standalone network infrastructure. In recent years, there has been an exponential rise in small businesses opting for cloud computing solutions. In this area, the system integrator plays a critical role in assembling, integrating, and configuring on-premises IT solutions with cloud-based software applications. Even after completing the implementation process, the system integrators are responsible for monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintaining their clients’ IT infrastructure.
Benefits
The advantages of system integration and hiring a trustworthy system integrator for entrepreneurs of small start-up businesses are as follows:
- Promotes accurate real-time processes of business data for better decision making,
- Establishes a cost-effective IT system that boosts internal efficiency,
- Centralizes data collection, storage, analysis and back-up, and
- Ensures cost-savings and increases profit margins by automating tedious data entry work.
Hiring a system integrator allows entrepreneurs of small start-up businesses to take their commercial operations to the next level. However, the corporate enterprise they choose to work with should have adequate industry-based experience and a good market reputation. Above all, the subscription-based pricing policy of the company should be reasonable and with the entrepreneurs’ budget.