System Integration

We consider System Integration (SI) to be one of the most important aspects of any project we deliver. SI includes the discovery, analysis, design, development and implementation of custom components for data migration and data integration. It includes initial data loads from legacy source systems, along with ongoing batch or real-time integrations between systems.

Development tools that we use for performing SI project activities include Scribe, Informatica, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), the Microsoft Dynamics Adapter, and the Salesforce.com Data Loader. In some cases where it makes sense we will develop custom SI components using web services, .Net, and/or javascript.

Another aspect of SI that doesn’t include ETL (extract, transform, load) tasks for data movement between systems is what we refer to as a “mash up” or “pseudo-integration.” In many cases, pseudo-integration will serve the business application purpose at a fraction of the cost of ETL. For example, sales reps using CRM need read-only access to “real-time” information regarding product inventory, customer credit information, order and invoice status, or accounts receivable. Many times this type of SI can be handled via a “smart report” directly embedded in a CRM customer dashboard.

To be competitive in the marketplace today, innovative companies are embracing the mobile workforce concept. As mobile devices like smart phones and tablets have become local application workstations storing large amounts of mobile data, C5 Insight has been developing new and unique ways of delivering system integration for these devices. System integration has become a critical component in corporate IT strategy, and C5 Insight has become a leader in this area.