Information System Integration

Information system integration refers to the structured process of interconnecting different software applications, IT systems and databases so that they can operate as one cohesive environment. Integration enables systems to share, exchange and process information in real time or near real time, ensuring uninterrupted data flow across business functions or technologies.

In modern industrial and corporate ecosystems, data is often scattered across various platforms—such as ERP systems, production management software, cloud services, IoT devices or customer portals. Without integration, these systems operate in silos, leading to inefficiencies, duplication of effort, and errors in decision-making.

System integration ensures:

• Interoperability between heterogeneous systems
• Automation of workflows and data exchange
• Real-time visibility across operations
• Elimination of manual data entry and redundancy

Technically, integrations may involve the use of:

• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for modular, real-time data connections
• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) for standardised B2B communication
• ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) as a communication backbone in large system architectures
• Middleware and orchestration layers for managing data transformation and routing
• Cloud-based integration platforms (iPaaS) for scalable and decentralised integration needs

Applications

• Connecting sensor data from industrial environments to analytics dashboards
• Integrating customer databases with marketing automation tools
• Linking design software with digital twin platforms
• Ensuring consistent master data across departments or subsidiaries
• Supporting AI/ML pipelines by consolidating training data from multiple systems

Successful integration is not merely technical, it supports business agility, improves data quality, and enables strategic decision-making in digitally mature organisations.

See also: Cloud Service, XML