A good integrator is your “IT-business-right brain”
Introduction
Business automation has long ceased to be just a trend, turning into a necessary measure to increase competitiveness (I have already discussed this idea more widely here). But when it comes to its implementation, companies are faced with a number of questions: “How to choose the right tools?”, “How to integrate them into the existing infrastructure?” and most importantly – “Who will implement the implementation?”
There are only 2 ways:
Key stages of automation
Regardless of the chosen path, you must go through the following steps:
Stage 1. Goal setting
Business needs are determined, which should be used as a starting point at all other stages – what problems or tasks require solving with the help of a new system or set of systems.
Stage 2. Business process analysis
A detailed analysis of current processes in the company is carried out to understand which tasks need automation and which technologies will be most effective.
Stage 3. Development of an automation strategy
Based on the analysis, a strategy is created that includes an implementation plan, risk assessment and required resources.
Stage 4. Selection of technologies and solutions
It is important to choose exactly those technologies that are best suited to solve the company’s problems.
Stage 5. Integrating technology into business
Configuring selected solutions, developing custom products and integrating them with existing systems to ensure their smooth operation.
Stage 6. Testing
Performed before the system is put into operation to minimize errors and ensure its functionality.
Stage 7. Employee training
Without proper training of employees, the use of automation will be ineffective, so training and educational programs are carried out to ensure that users work with new systems as productively as possible.
Stage 8. Maintenance and support
Once the system is up and running, it needs to be supported, monitored, and updated as needed.
If you want to automate company processes yourself using internal resources, first honestly answer 3 questions:
Are you ready to go through all these stages without outside help?
Do you have everything you need for this?
will you be able to look at the company’s current processes “from the outside” to objectively assess their effectiveness?
Can companies cope on their own?
The main difficulty with automation is that companies often do not have the necessary resources or experience to implement complex systems. If a business lacks the necessary specialists, knowledge or confidence in the prospects for independent success, it will most likely be more effective to turn to integrators for help.
Of course, you can do it on your own, but why? It's like renovating a house yourself – long, painful and without guarantees, when you can hire an integrator – a professional architect with a team of specialized craftsmen. At the same time, they will not only do everything according to the standards, but will also offer solutions that you have not thought about.
I can highlight 5 main problems of independent implementation of automation systems:
Most companies do not have the internal resources to develop and integrate complex automated systems. This requires specialized knowledge in IT and project management, as well as an understanding of the specifics of automation.
Often companies cannot objectively assess internal business processes and automate ineffective ones. As a result, they become faster through automation, but remain just as inefficient.
Many companies don't know how to choose the right tools from the countless options available. Sometimes the technology that internal specialists know is chosen, and not the one that is objectively better for the business.
Automation systems rarely operate in isolation. It is important that they integrate harmoniously with existing solutions, such as CRM, ERP, warehouse management systems, etc.
Implementing automation without experience with IT projects, proper planning and testing can lead to errors, failures, delays and financial losses.
Why is a good integrator more than a contractor?
System integrators implement complex technological solutions, integrate various software products, connect them with each other and adapt them to business needs, automating processes and customizing them for specific tasks. The main goal of the integrator is to provide not only technical setup, but also staff training, maintenance and support after completion of the project.
Most companies view system integrators as technical performers or a service, but those who think, “They'll just implement the system,” are missing the point. An integrator is more than an IT company providing software solutions. This is a partner in your business who understands its strategy and works with you on a long-term basis. It helps you adapt technology to your business model, support your company's growth, and find new ways to improve its efficiency. When you decide to work with an integrator, you trust them with the future of your company.
The benefits of automation with an experienced integrator
Thanks to automation, system integrators help businesses gain competitive advantages, which I described in some detail in the previous article. But working with integrators itself gives companies a number of benefits:
Long-term relationships instead of one-time projects
System integrators often become long-term partners, accompanying a company throughout its automation and development journey. This allows the business to grow without having to find new contractors for every task.
Internal teams often lack the resources to continually support implemented solutions, especially if the business is growing rapidly or requires changes. System integrators provide not only implementation, but also long-term support of systems, their updating and development.
Business understanding and industry experience
System integrators see your company not only through the prism of technology, but also through business processes. This means that the implementation of new solutions is always tailored to the needs of the business, its structure and goals. For example, integrators can help a company not only implement automation, but also build a system that adapts to future challenges. This makes them full-fledged strategic partners.
Integrators often work with different industries and companies, allowing them to bring new ideas and solutions to your business. Internal teams, limited by their scope, may miss important aspects, and the integrator will offer an approach based on experience from various industries.
Stay ahead of competitors through faster implementation
Companies that collaborate with integrators are quicker to implement the latest technologies, which gives them a competitive advantage.
Integrators work faster by using streamlined processes and proven solutions. In-house teams typically spend more time designing, configuring, and testing systems, while integrators can speed up the process with expertise.
Reducing implementation risks and saving at the initial stage: expertise versus inexperience
When implementing on their own, companies often face the “cost of learning from their own mistakes.” Unlike an in-house team, system integrators have significant experience implementing automation, which allows them to avoid costly mistakes during the planning and technology selection phase.
System integrators' experience in planning and project management helps minimize possible risks. This reduces the likelihood of errors, failures and associated financial losses.
Reducing IT load on internal teams
Working with an integrator allows you to free up the resources of internal IT teams for more strategically important tasks. Research shows that the workload on internal IT teams can be reduced by up to a third, improving their productivity.
Moreover, integrators have specialized knowledge in customizing and integrating solutions with existing systems. This allows you to save time on setting up and optimizing processes, especially when integrating with ERP or CRM.
Evaluating the effectiveness of existing solutions
The integrator not only implements new systems, but also evaluates how effectively existing tools work. Often companies use software without knowing that it can be customized or integrated more effectively. The integrator helps optimize even already working solutions.
Adaptation to new technologies and trends
The IT industry is developing rapidly, and internal specialists are not always able to quickly implement new technologies. Integrators who work with different platforms, tools and solutions are more knowledgeable about the latest trends and can help tailor them to your business.
Reducing dependence on specific specialists
When the entire IT infrastructure is maintained by an internal team, the company becomes highly dependent on individual employees. Integrators create a system that minimizes such risks by standardizing processes and documentation.
How to choose the right IT business partner?
Unfortunately, when choosing a system integrator, you can easily make a mistake.
Here are recommendations on how not to do this and choose the right IT business partner.
You have two choices:
in terms of cost – then don’t be surprised that you get “another CRM” that is no different from the others
in meaning – the integrator should not only understand your technological task and business strategy, but also help build this path
In my opinion, choosing by cost is acceptable for small companies and in a niche market. For large organizations with many processes, you need to apply more complex and individual selection criteria that reflect your requirements for a partner in your business.
To choose an integrator who will become a real business partner, and not just a contractor, pay attention to the following points.
1. Portfolio
Evaluate the projects that the integrator has completed in the past. This will give an understanding of his experience and competencies. Pay special attention to whether the integrator has worked with complex systems, ERP, CRM, BPM. An inexperienced company most likely has not dealt with large and complex projects, which can lead to numerous errors during the implementation phase.
Advice:
Ask for cases with examples of implementations of large systems and integrations.
2. Understanding your industry
Make sure that the integrator understands the specifics of your business and can offer solutions that will truly suit you. If he has worked with similar companies, his solutions will be more tailored and effective.
Advice:
Ask the integrator to tell you how similar business processes were automated, and also pay attention to his understanding of your terms.
3. Flexibility and willingness to change
Technologies change quickly, and your partner must be ready to offer solutions that can easily adapt to new challenges. A good integrator knows how to transform itself to suit business conditions and client requests. A bad integrator is not ready for change and requires strict adherence to the plan, even if it is irrelevant.
Advice:
Assess how willing the integrator is to change the plan as needed.
4. Transparency and responsibility
It is important that the integrator maintains an open dialogue with the client at all stages of the project, is ready to explain his actions and offer optimal ways to solve emerging problems. A good integrator provides transparent reports and updates at every stage of the project. A bad integrator may hide delays or problems until the last minute.
Advice:
Make sure the integrator uses project management tools with the ability to track progress in real time.
5. Availability of reviews and recommendations
Having positive reviews from real clients is a sure sign of a good integrator. A bad integrator often has no reviews or offers “suspiciously perfect” recommendations. Also pay attention to industry reputation and recognition from partners and vendors. A bad integrator may be little known or have a dubious reputation.
Advice:
Check the integrator’s reputation on professional sites and forums, ask for reference calls with its clients, and ask the vendor for recommendations.
6. Honesty in terms and budget
A good integrator will be honest about timelines and budget, warning of possible risks and difficulties. A bad integrator promises the impossible, underestimating the deadlines and budget, but increases them as the project progresses.
Advice:
Compare offers from different companies to avoid estimates that are too low or unrealistic.
7. Technology stack
Find out what technologies and platforms the integrator works with to understand how well it meets your requirements. A good integrator is always up to date with the latest technologies and solutions. A bad integrator uses outdated tools that may not meet current business needs.
Advice:
Ask about new technologies the integrator has recently worked with and how they can be applied to your business.
8. Focus on business results
A good integrator doesn't just implement systems. It helps you achieve specific business results: increase profits, reduce costs, improve customer experience. A bad integrator focuses on technical metrics without connection to business goals.
Advice:
Make sure the integrator understands what business results you want to achieve and how the system will help achieve it.
9. Support and maintenance
The integrator must be ready to provide support even after the project is completed, helping the company adapt to changes and improve the solutions already implemented.
Advice:
Check whether the integrator has a regulated customer support process after implementation, support availability time and a regulated request processing speed (SLA).
10. Proactive approach
A good integrator doesn't wait for you to point out the problem. He proactively offers solutions before problems arise. A bad integrator responds only to specific client requests without initiating improvements themselves.
Advice:
Discuss how the integrator deals with potential risks and improvement initiatives.
Conclusion
Thus, a system integrator as an IT business partner is not just technical specialists, but a strategic player who helps your business not only implement new technologies, but also use them to achieve specific goals. In an era where technology is becoming a key competitive advantage, the right integrator turns it into an asset that helps a company be flexible, productive and ready for any changes in the market.
PS
I prepared a small one for you testwhich will help assess the company’s overall readiness for independent automation.
