Among the professional figures who have assumed a role of considerable importance in recent years is without a shadow of a doubt the system integrator, an IT partner whose task is to make the IT systems already present in the company communicate, integrating, contributing or joining further components.

Nowadays, relying on a specialist or company that deals with systems integration allows you to enhance and make the most of technological investments in applications and platforms, in such a way as to facilitate the expansion of your online business .

Thinking of attacking a market like the digital one without integrating the systems is, in fact, impossible.

Taking advantage of the work of a system integrator is the prerequisite for obtaining the right flexibility and exploring new business models, with the aim of improving the service provided and increasing your presence on the web.

What concerns the integration of systems is in all respects a long and quite complicated process, the evolution of which is characterized by two main aspects. The first is certainly unpredictability, as by adapting your business to the client's needs you will never know what decision you will make.

The second is that it is not possible to establish a real point of arrival. Your business, like your IT architecture, must always be subject to change and integrate new features.

By continuing to read this article you will have the opportunity to fully understand what a System Integrator is, why today he represents an essential figure for the success of a company and, above all, what are the advantages he can bring to an activity.

What is a System Integrator?

Literally translatable as IT systems integrator, the System integrator can be described as a company or, more commonly, a professional figure specialized in systems integration.

Typically, this partner has considerable experience in the sector and puts its skills at your service to allow a fruitful dialogue between all the different IT systems present in your company.

In some cases, the role of System Integrator can be attributed to a group of several people, a team of highly qualified technical figures specialized in the management of networks and IT equipment whose cooperation could be decisive in the success of an activity.

What skills are needed for a System Integrator?

As a professional who deals not only with integrating and managing complex information systems, but also with providing a high-quality service to customers, the skills necessary for a system integrator are numerous and multidisciplinary.

Below we will list some of them, so as to also answer the main question for every company that wants to rely on this figure: how to choose a good system integrator?

From a technical point of view, it is first necessary to have in-depth knowledge of information systems and the technologies that support them, combined with programming skills to customize IT solutions and a wise application of IT security and data management best practices.

Added to these is a strong analytical and problem solving ability to identify the causes of problems and resolve them efficiently, as well as an excellent ability to quickly adapt to technological changes and update one's knowledge accordingly.

However, a good system integrator also needs knowledge of project management, including planning, budget management and communication with team members and customers.

But it is equally essential to have excellent ability to communicate clearly and concisely with team members, customers and stakeholders.

And, last but not least, a self-respecting system integrator knows the regulations and laws that regulate the use of information systems and data privacy.

When to rely on a professional figure of this type?

Although today practically all companies benefit from the work of a System operator, it is possible to identify situations in which relying on a professional figure like this is truly indispensable.

This, in fact, integrates into the company reality, contributing decisively to the organization and alignment of the entire IT system, thus qualifying itself as an IT partner complementary to your market needs.

Specifically, the System integrator becomes indispensable when you need to create and manage the IT architecture of your company, administer its systems and, finally, control the intranet and internet networks.

What does a System Integrator do and why choose one?

Now let's talk about those who are the vantaggi dell’utilizzo di un system integrator.

As widely anticipated previously, a professional figure like that of the System Integrator is able to bring very important benefits to your company.

The IT partner or company you appoint will be able to attribute added value to the company, allowing it to better position itself on a commercial and, above all, IT level.

The task of the System integrator is to design solutions whose use allows the development of important synergies between the systems already present within the business and to provide valuable advice regarding the purchase of new technological equipment, to be chosen with great attention based on the your needs.

The main purpose of this professional figure is therefore to guarantee correct and effective dialogue between all the different company IT devices and, thanks to their knowledge and experience accumulated over the years, to implement new and innovative solutions.

What roles are mainly performed?

As already seen in the section relating to the skills necessary for a system integrator, the roles it plays are multiple and require close collaboration with the entire company ecosystem.

However, there are some roles that are specifically the prerogative of the system integrator, such as data integration, legacy and ERP systems, and above all the automation of business processes. Without forgetting that all this falls within the broader scope of digital transformation.

Let's start with this last concept. The role of the system integrator in digital transformation of a company is to analyze its specific needs to identify the most suitable digital technologies to improve business processes, reduce costs and create new business opportunities.

Successivamente, il system integrator si occupa di progettare e sviluppare soluzioni personalizzate che permettono l’integrazione delle tecnologie digitali esistenti con i processi aziendali, garantendo la sicurezza e la privacy dei dati, e provvedendo alla gestione e alla manutenzione dei sistemi.

Closely linked to the previous one is the role of the system integrator inautomation of business processes, or in the transformation of manual and repetitive processes into automated, more efficient and precise processes. through the design and development of software and hardware solutions customized to the specific needs of the company. 

Furthermore, it takes care of the installation and configuration of the solutions, ensuring the correct functioning of the systems, and allowing the company to achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs and improve the quality of its products and services.

Another fundamental point lies in the role of the system integrator inintegration of legacy systems. This is a fundamental step to ensure that existing information systems, often old and obsolete, can interact with the new systems and technologies in use within the company.

In particular, the system integrator is responsible for analyzing legacy systems and identifying opportunities for integration with new systems. In many cases, this requires the development of custom software interfaces and the integration of communication protocols between systems.

Furthermore, the role of the system integrator inimplementation of ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning), necessary to ensure that the company can fully exploit the potential of an integrated business management system.

ERP is, in fact, a business management software composed of a series of modules that cover the main business functions, such as the management of production, logistics, sales, purchasing, human resources and accounting.

Lastly, there is the role of the system integrator indata integration. 

This is the crucial step in ensuring that a company's information systems work properly and can share data securely and efficiently.

In this process, it is ensured that the data is correctly transferred between the different devices that make up the system and that the related security systems are adequate to protect sensitive data.

The integrated management system

A integrated management system is a set of processes and tools that allow the different aspects of the IT systems integration process within an organization to be managed in a coordinated and integrated way.

This system allows you to automate and centrally manage the entire IT systems integration process, from planning to design, implementation, testing and maintenance of the systems.

The integrated management system offers a wide range of capabilities, including requirements management, project management, configuration management, test management and change management.

Furthermore, the integrated management system allows you to improve the quality and efficiency of the IT systems integration process, ensuring compliance with the safety and regulatory standards in force.

How does a System Integrator work?

The element that most characterizes the work carried out by the System Integrator is the great meticulousness that the latter applies in every activity.

Through an introductory method, which considers each individual case and thanks to the great wealth of experience accumulated over time, the System integrator designs the right solution for each context.

By interfacing with other existing entities within the company, the System Integrator establishes a successful relationship with partners and suppliers in order to contribute to the growth of your company by allowing it to implement existing functions.

This type of approach to work, characterized by the high probability of success, is defined as win-win, that is, a method that turns into a winning advantage, focused on satisfying your interests.

What does it mean to face a trial with a System operator?

From the first day of work at your company, the System Integrator will take care of the creation of new company divisions, the implementation of sales channels, logistical procedures and, in some cases, even mergers between companies.

In every context described, nowadays, it is truly fundamental that every single collection, conservation or processing tool works in synergy, collaborating and communicating with each other without slowing down and in total safety.

Precisely for this reason it is of primary importance to start a process system integration.

The interconnections and solutions proposed by the IT partner in charge of carrying out this complex and important task will make it possible to share information and the application portfolio, creating synergies between the resources of each individual element and making all the potential of the latter available to the company , its employees and two customers.

However, undertaking a path of this type also means significantly implementing security management.

In fact, connecting multiple platforms and opening a passage of information between internal systems of the company is synonymous with high security.

The importance of technology

As in any other digital activity, investing in the right technologies represents an essential element to achieve maximum interoperability of platforms.

Currently, also relying on the knowledge and advice of your System Integrator, you can choose between different useful methods to create your ecosystem. Based on the needs of your company, you can opt for open systems, closed environments and open source systems, whose operation allows you to interface with any type of solution.

Although these represent more than authoritative solutions, the choice almost always falls on the Cloud, a tool that integrates many features at overall low costs.

Statistics

Ecco alcune statistiche sul mercato dell’integrazione di sistema e sui system integrator:

1. Il mercato globale dell’integrazione di sistema è stato valutato a 554.170,44 milioni di dollari nel 2022 e si prevede che raggiunga i 1.141.550,46 milioni di dollari entro il 2028, con un tasso di crescita annuale composto (CAGR) del 12,8% (1).
2. Un altro studio indica che il mercato globale dell’integrazione di sistema è stato valutato a 487.482,79 milioni di dollari nel 2021 e si prevede che raggiunga circa 1.017.606,04 milioni di dollari entro il 2027 (2).
3. La dimensione del mercato globale dell’integrazione di sistema è stata valutata a 396,41 miliardi di dollari nel 2022 e si prevede che raggiunga circa 1.492,95 miliardi di dollari entro il 2032, con un CAGR del 14,18% nel periodo di previsione dal 2023 al 2032 (3).
4. Il mercato globale dell’integrazione di sistema è stato valutato a 353,92 miliardi di dollari nel 2022 e si prevede che cresca a un CAGR del 13,8% dal 2023 al 2030 (4).
5. La dimensione del mercato dell’integrazione di sistema è stimata a 485,41 miliardi di dollari nel 2024 e si prevede che raggiunga i 778,92 miliardi di dollari entro il 2029, con un CAGR del 9,92% nel periodo 2024-2029 (5).

Queste statistiche evidenziano una crescita significativa del mercato dell’integrazione di sistema a livello globale.

The System integrator in Italy

As we have seen, nowadays any company equipped with IT systems requires the work of a System Integrator, a professional figure that is now truly indispensable and capable of making the most of all the potential made available by the digital revolution.

Despite the fact that for some years there has been insistent talk about the need to address digitalisation through integrated architectures, in our country, they are still a minority in system integrators who, towards large multinationals or in any case large-scale companies, adopt a consultancy approach, based on a quality service and tailor-made according to customer needs.

The work carried out and the results achieved play a role of primary importance when deciding to undertake a complex path such as that of systems integration, a continuous evolution without a final solution along the axis of digital innovation and business.

Precisely for this reason, choosing an IT partner capable of understanding the objectives and developing winning solutions for every situation is fundamental for you and your company.