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READING

System Integration

1. A system integrator (SI) is an individual or business that builds computing

systems for clients by combining hardware and software products from multiple
vendors. Using a system integrator, a company can align cheaper, pre-configured
components and off-the-shelf software to meet key business goals, as opposed to more
expensive, customized implementations that may require original programming or
manufacture of unique components. Creation of these information systems may include
designing or building a customized architecture or application, integrating it with new
or existing hardware, packaged and custom software, and communications
infrastructure.
2. Organizations often have information systems belonging to different computer
generations. These systems contain much valuable data to the organizations concerned.
However, these systems are often unable to communicate with each other, due to
incompatibilities. Moreover, replacing these systems with new systems is also very
costly. Therefore the latest trend is integrating the existing systems with each other with
the help of different system integration technologies. When the systems are integrated
with new technology they bring about various effects to the organizations.
3. In today’s highly competitive and constantly changing world organizations are
compelled to find ways of functioning effectively and cost efficiently for their survival
and success. Moreover, the competitive arena has also changed dramatically, thus
organizations can no longer depend on traditional methods of competing. As a result
companies seek out latest technologies. Many organizations use several generations of
systems that rely on a broad range of technologies developed over many years. These
technologies both new and old provide enormous support to organizations.
Unfortunately, many of these business-critical systems are difficult to adapt to allow
them to communicate and share information with each other and more advanced
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systems. There is always the option of replacing these old systems with new ones but it
is very costly and time consuming. In addition they contain lots of data and information,
which are of great value to organizations. System integration is seen as a way of solving
most of these problems. In earlier days system integration was confined to technical
aspects such as for connecting computer hardware components. As knowledge on
information technology evolved integration came into use in software, data and
communication as well.
4. To keep your business growing at the dramatic rates you plan for, it is essential to
have your business software applications integrated around a single codebase, database
and business process. The advantages of designing your systems in this manner yield
tremendous cost savings and improved business productivity. There are several key
processes that you may encounter in your daily operations, such as order management,
fulfillment, invoicing, cash collection, expense approvals, and financial consolidation,
to name a few. Automating such processes enables you to avoid new hires that would
otherwise be required to manage these processes, and redeploy staff to higher-value
activities to help your business innovate and grow. When information can be accessed
instantly from almost anywhere, without wasting resources on data extraction and tying
data from different sources together, employees are better informed and can make more
accurate, faster decisions.
5. Everyday business users are able to apply their functional expertise to tailor
processes and applications in a way that improves performance. Meanwhile, IT is
liberated to focus on strategic initiatives that can add value to the bottom line by
building innovative value-added solutions. Today, companies in virtually every industry
are using sophisticated business software to fuel their growth but many are still
struggling to keep up with their growth and manage costs effectively because of a
hodge-podge of disconnected functional systems causing process bottlenecks and
employee productivity issues. Integrated business software suites are transforming how
companies run, and enabling them to transcend growing pains that previously were
holding them back from taking their business to the next level of profitable growth.
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4. Answer these questions:

1. What is a system integrator?
2. What can a company do using a system integrator?
3. What may creation of information systems include?
4. What do the systems that are integrated with new technology bring to the
organizations?
5. Why do companies seek out latest technologies?
6. When do employees can make more accurate and faster decisions?
7. Why are companies using sophisticated business software in virtually every industry?

COMPREHENSION

5. Match paragraph (1-6) with the correct heading (A-F).

Paragraph 1 …………………………………………………………………….

Paragraph 2 …………………………………………………………………….

Paragraph 3 …………………………………………………………………….

Paragraph 4 …………………………………………………………………….

Paragraph 5 …………………………………………………………………….

A. Seeking out latest technologies

B. Integrating the existing systems
C. A system integrator
D. Advantages of integrated software applications
E. Applying functional expertise
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COMPREHENSION

6. Read the text again and decide whether these statements are true, false, or
information is not available.
1. Organizations don’t have information systems belonging to different computer
generations.
2. Replacing old systems with new systems is not very costly.
3. The latest trend is integrating the existing systems with each other with the help of
different system integration technologies.
4. It is essential to have your business software applications integrated around a single
codebase, database and business process.
5. Business-critical systems were created in1990.
6. Everyday business users are not able to apply their functional expertise to tailor
processes and applications in a way that improves performance.
7. Integrated business software suites are transforming how companies run.

EXERCISES

7. Complete each sentence (1-10) with a word or phrase from (a-j).

a.aggregation
b.interface
c.process
d.range
e.integrated
f.subsystem
g.Integration
h.functionalities
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i.transformation
j.equipment

1. The SI ………. has always been at the near-end of the development cycle.
2. The ………. of different component systems or subsystems that cooperate to deliver
a whole functionality has been the focus of industries that use technology.
3. A SI engineer must have a broad ………. of skills and breadth of knowledge.
4. Horizontal Integration involves the creation of a unique subsystem that is meant to be
the single ………. between all other subsystems.
5. In Vertical Integration subsystems are ……….. according to functionality by creating
"silos" of functional entities.
6. Vertical ……….. is a very quick method and involves a few vendors and developers
but becomes more expensive over time.
7. In a Star Integration each ...…….. is connected to multiple subsystems, so that the
diagrams of the interconnections look like a star.
8. Systems using Common Data Format set a common or application-independent
format, or they provide a service that does the ………. to or from one application into
the common application.
9. The system unit includes the electronic ……….. that interacts simultaneously in
order to perform calculations and transfer the results to the corresponding input and
output devices.
10. Enhanced software capability requirements force developers to enhance developed
systems with new ……….. .

8. Match (1-10) with (a-j) to make up sentences.

1. The competitiveness of most a. to track, store, manipulate and

companies is based distribute the information from

gathered data to appropriate persons
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when necessary.
2. Information systems are used b. on the effective use of information
technologies and information systems.

3. The efficient usage of information c. to be open anytime anywhere all

systems will give a lot of over the globe.

opportunities

4. By implementing information d. to the companies and advantages to

systems sharing the information, their business.
knowledge, communication and
relationships between different
countries becomes much easier.

5. Information systems has made it e. between different countries becomes

possible for businesses much easier.

6. One of the best advantages of f. the creation of new and interesting

information systems is jobs.

7. Computer programmers, Systems g. as since technology keeps on

analyzers, Hardware and Software changing with each day.
developers and Web designers are

8. Implementing the information h. just some of the many new

systems can save employment opportunities created with

the help of IT.

9. Industry experts believe that the i. a great deal of time during the

Internet has made job security a big completion of tasks and some labor

issue mechanic works.

10. The hackers distribute the j. to damage the company’s image.

information over the Internet, sell it

to rival companies or use it
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SPEAKING

9. Discuss the following questions with your partner:

✔ What does the system integrator bring together in information technology?

✔ Is there any international standard, that would submit unambiguous

recommendations about ensuring the management system integration?

Should every organization cope with this assignment on its own?

✔ What are methods of system integration?

Use the following phrases:

I guess …
Basically …
Of course … , but …
In reality …
On the other hand …