System integration refers to the blending of two sub-systems to create one unified aggregate whole. In software integration, there are four methods engineers can use to blend subsystems. Read on to find a brief introduction to each of them.

Vertical Integration

When software engineers use vertical integration to combine two software programs, they integrate the subsystems based on their functionality by creating silos. Since this method for system integration is comparatively quick and easy, it is typically cheaper. It may be more expensive in the long run, though, since the only way to create a new use for the subsystems is to create and implement a second silo.

Star Integration

Software engineers who use star integration to combine software programs and connect each subsystem to every other subsystem being used. The cost of implementing this system varies substantially since it depends on whether the subsystems use proprietary interfaces and how many subsystems the engineer is integrating. The advantage of star integration over vertical integration is that it allows engineers more flexibility and the ability to employ more functionality reuse.

Horizontal Integration

This integration method uses a specialized subsystem, or enterprise service bus (ESB), created specifically to facilitate communication between the other subsystems. This cuts costs and provides more flexibility, allowing one subsystem to be completely replaced by another. Each of the subsystems’ functionalities and interfaces is transparent, so the only action required to make additional changes is to implement a new interface.

Enterprise Application Integration

Enterprise application integration (EAI) uses a common data format to convert data to and from each unique software application’s proprietary format. EAI systems require two steps for full implementation. First, the adapter is used to convert information into the common data format, then semantic transformations are applied to convert data from the common format for use by other software programs.

Common Techniques

Along with EAI, engineers use techniques like computer networking, manual programming, and business process management to increase software applications’ quality and performance. The benefit of system integration is that it allows companies access to the specialized applications they need using systems that already exist. This allows companies to meet their business goals with no need to use multiple, specialized applications.