Alegor Tech
When is an integration better than replacing a system?
If systems work separately but people copy information between them, integration may make more sense than replacement. Start with what needs to move and which system owns the records.
Follow information through a real task
Choose an order from sales to inventory, delivery and invoicing. Note where information is entered again, who corrects it and which manual checks are required. Include returns and other exceptions.
Decide whether a connection addresses the cause
Integration helps when the right information already exists and the systems otherwise support the work. It does not automatically fix poor data, unclear responsibilities or missing functions. Compare configuration, process changes and replacement.
Review interfaces, cost and maintenance
Examine APIs or file formats, access, data mappings and restrictions. Decide how duplicates, errors and interruptions will be handled and how someone will notice a stalled transfer. Allow for changes to the connected systems over time.
Start with a bounded information flow
Choose a connection you can test with real, permitted examples. Document ownership and reconciliation and check what happens when things fail. Review whether the original manual task has actually been reduced.