A system integrator (SI) is an individual or business that specializes in developing software and hardware solutions for a client’s business processes. This includes providing consulting services and support for companies, as well as overseeing all of the changes once the company gives the go ahead.
An SI is ideal for companies looking to:
- Optimize workflows and systems
- Optimize a specific department, function or tool (for instance, to evaluate or improve marketing ROI)
- Audit, lead and manage improvements to a tech stack
- Build and develop software (web, mobile or enterprise apps)
- Implement strategy across teams
System integrators make sure that applications, middleware and databases work together seamlessly. This involves configuring, testing and debugging the system to ensure everything is functioning as expected. SIs also provide ongoing maintenance and upgrades when necessary. For this reason, they must stay up-to-date with the latest technology to propose the best solutions for their clients.
Hiring an system integrator also offers these additional benefits:
- They are more cost effective than hiring and onboarding full-time employees
- They may have their own employees working at their offices to manage and oversee clients projects
- Allows companies to align preconfigured components instead of using customized implementations that require original programming or manufacturing unique components
System integrators often engage with large enterprise customers and work on large-scale projects that are scattered across the globe. They also play an integral role in the healthcare and finance industry.
In the healthcare sector, software system integrators play a crucial role in delivering high-quality patient care. Healthcare app development is a growing field that requires a high degree of technical expertise and knowledge.
For instance, system integrators can integrate electronic health records or EHRs, medical imaging software and patient monitoring systems into a single platform. This allows healthcare providers to access all of their patient data in one centralized location.
If the healthcare practice is looking to develop applications to improve their patient services, SIs can develop custom software solutions to help support their client’s staff. For example, they may develop software that uses AI to analyze medical images or software that streamlines the patient intake process. They must also be conscious of industry-specific regulations and ensure their software solutions are compliant with policies like HIPAA, which describes how to securely handle patient data.
The technical expertise and knowledge of system integrators are an invaluable asset to healthcare organizations looking to leverage the latest software technology to improve patient outcomes.
In the financial sector, software system integrators are essential for building reliable software systems that can tackle a large volume of data. Since the financial sector is highly regulated and complex, SIs must comply with regulations such as GDPR and PCI DSS, which outlines the handling of sensitive financial data.
System integrators can merge trading platforms, risk management systems and payment processing systems into a single database. This allows financial institutions to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
In addition to supporting these institutions with how to use software, SIs can solve complex challenges that are common in the finance sector, such as using machine learning to detect fraudulent or software that automates the loan origination process.
In terms of developing payment apps, which have becoming increasingly more popular in the recent years, SIs can optimize payment processing systems like credit card and mobile payment systems onto an all-in-one platform.
This allows payment app providers to offer their customers a seamless payment experience, regardless of the payment method they choose. System integrators can also develop software to detect fraudulent transactions or to automate payments. Through hiring a system integrator, financial institutions are able to provide better services to their customers.