Business integration encompasses more than connecting applications. Today this strategy represents the beginning of a organization-wide transformation. Embracing the concept that the Internet of Things (IOT) is truly the Internet of Everything and utilizing this realization to propel your organization into a new age.

The analysis and evaluation of a business environment involves several distinct activities that build on each other. When all activities are complete, an organization has achieved a level of business integration that positions it to be successful with digital transformation.

Discovery

The purpose of discovery is to develop the business landscape, as it exists today. Activities include reviewing current plans, business processes, integrations (process and technology) and relevance of objectives.

Discovery activities will result in an evaluation of the current business environment (findings and recommendations), education to the business process owners and realization of the changes recommended.

Strategy

Strategy development activities establish the direction (fine-tuning the business landscape), allocate resources and extend control mechanisms for guiding the deployment.
The activities are focused on identifying the business requirements for the future (immediate and longer term). Both executives and operational staff are interviewed to obtain an overall perspective. Strategy activities extend into solution identification, business and technical analysis, and cost analysis.

Deploy/Maintain

Deploy and maintain are presented together because both utilize the Deming Cycle. Deployment is the initial solution rollout. Maintain is continuous improvement. The Deming Cycle works for both. The Deming Cycle embraces an agile approach to deployment and maintenance through a verification or check phase of activities.
Deming is applicable for:

  • Continuous improvement models
  • Developing new or improved process design
  • Defining repetitive work processes
  • Planning data collection and analysis
  • Implementing change

The primary goal of business integration is to improve the overall business model by embracing technology when applicable. Establishing an environment that embraces change will put organizations on a path of digital transformation.

Transformation

A majority of organizations are digitally transforming themselves by first getting rid of paper. Sounds simple, seems simple – NOT. The cultural change alone is daunting. But the advantages are phenomenal.

 

  • Paper consumes space and is inefficient to file (facility cost reductions).
  • Documents in paper form are stored and scattered in departments throughout the organization; it is very difficult to consolidate them into a single data repository that is available to all, and virtually impossible to search them unless they are digitalized (more secure, better and more timely analytics, simpler archiving).
  • Companies are trying to make themselves “greener” – what better way than to reduce paper use.