Technologies for systems integrationThere are several ways to develop an integrated system.Bespoke systemsYou can ask a solutions provider to build you a bespoke system tailored exactly to your needs. However, this can be very expensive - apart from professional fees, managing the development process requires technical and project management expertise.
Linking existing systemsAlternatively, you might opt to link existing systems. For example, accounting software can link with orders, purchasing and stock control.This approach requires less investment and allows you to continue using existing systems. However, you will need to buy the software and may need specialist support to help you set it up to meet your needs.
Smaller businesses often find that using well-known software is a more practical solution than trying to develop something that exactly matches their requirements.Hosted solutionsOften referred to as "software as a service", a hosted solution is where you outsource your business applications to a specialist software provider. The company supplies you with any applications and software you need via the Internet. This generally requires less technical expertise and upfront investment than other options.
However, you need to be careful about the contract you negotiate, eg by ensuring that it specifies what level of service you can expect and that the host will provide you with adequate data protection. For more information, see our guide on how to choose and manage your IT supplier.
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