|
Integration
Services
- System Integration (Interfaces)
- Interface Engines
- Outsourcing Gateways
- Web Portals
System Integration Any project implementation requires the total
integration of new information systems with both
new and existing data sources. Implementation
readiness hinges upon the effectiveness of these
system interfaces.
Whether connecting a single system or developing
complex plans for multi-system integration,
SoftSource has the resources you need to
effectively test and analyze interface
capability, and to thoroughly evaluate
implementation readiness. Our years of
experience and advanced toolsets allow for quick
evaluation and accurate estimates for:
- Identifying system dependencies and developing
project plans
- Planning for resources and implementation needs
- Developing interface requirements and
specifications
- Managing technical staff and analysts to ensure project time lines are followed
- Analyzing and troubleshooting the original
and/or newly created interfaces in preparation
for system integration
- Identifying, reporting and helping resolve integration issue
- Teaching technical staff quick analysis techniques and process management skills
for optimal issue resolution
- Understanding and speaking the languages of
specific industries; EDI, CSOS, HL-7, DICOM, AS2, MSMQ, MQ Series
Integration of disparate systems often
impacts projects with lengthy and unexpected cost overruns. SoftSource's in-depth knowledge of
the major industry standards can help limit these unexpected and often overlooked tasks to a reasonable level.
Interface Engines
What is an Interface Engine?
Any project implementation requires the total
integration of new information systems with both
new and existing data sources. Implementation
readiness hinges upon the effectiveness of these
system interfaces.
An interface engine is a enterprise's “nexus” for
transactional data, ensuring that information passes
smoothly and quickly from one computer
system to another.
An interface engine is a software program
designed to simplify the creation and management
of interfaces between separate applications and
systems within an organization. Interface
engines undertake messaging between systems, and
normally manage any mapping, translation and
data modification necessary to ensure the
effective exchange of data around the
organization.
Another way to think of an interface engine is
the centralized, automated “hub” of a messaging
network. Rather than connecting all systems to
each other individually, (a highly complex,
time-consuming and unreliable process), an
interface engine acts as the intermediary for
all messaging between interconnected systems, as
illustrated in the following diagrams:
|
 |
 |
|
With many different applications running
within a enterprise, establishing and
maintaining separate interfaces between
them can be complex
and technically difficult. |
A well designed interface engine greatly reduces the
complexity, acting as a single point of management for the many interfaces
normally implemented at a location. |
A fully functioning interface engine will
provide more than messaging and interface
management; it should also provide guaranteed
delivery of messages and message queue
management. It is also vital that the interface
engine can immediately generate effective alerts
for the IT staff in the event of a problem.
Interface engines can be deployed which greatly
reduce the amount of proprietary and custom
programming otherwise necessary in the
IT enterprise. SoftSource has
extensive experience utilizing interface engines
in many disparate environments.
Information Gateways
Let SoftSource create the gateways that
support externally outsourced services to work
within your specific enterprise. Today's
information technology landscape includes the use of
outsource service companies to provide some,
if not all, of the typical functions and needs of a business.
To enable
effective outsourcing, interfaces must be created
which enable information and data to be seamlessly shared between
the business location and the outsourcer's
location. Custom gateways are often required to
establish the mechanism of resource and information sharing. When performing a cost evaluation of
the benefits of outsourcing, often the gateway or
interface is thought to be a negligible factor
or discovered as an afterthought.
SoftSource can
provide the cost-effective interface required to
make outsourcing possible and help you fully
realize the suggested cost
savings of the outsourcing plan.
Web Portals for
Professionals
Professional targeted web portals are key components of
an information strategy based on extending
application reach throughout an integrated
IT network. Providing tools for
mobile professions clearly remains an
important long-term objective for most
organizations. Focusing the initial
implementation of intranets on the needs
of professional office staff will provide immediate
payback, user buy-in and cost savings.
Executives who are analyzing,
designing, or beginning to roll out
focused intranets can learn
from the results of surveys, focus
groups, interviews, joint design sessions, and
product evaluations, which all can help guide initial
intranet design and clearly identify
system and network challenges and priorities
unique to individual organizations.
Successful implementation of intranet and
services will yield enhanced network use,
improved return on investment, and an expanded
sense among employees and their support staff
that the organization is in tune with industry demands
Potential applications of the focused intranet
- Web-based access to documents, voice, reports
- Access to Policies & Procedures
- Optional third party E-Mail integration
- Links to external and internal reference materials
- Links to Online Journals
- Integration of Electronic Books
- Optional Industry News Feeds
- Online Threaded Discussion Forum
- Web-based Document Review and
Signature
SoftSource can assist with all aspects of web
portal deployment; design, implementation, roll
out and support. SoftSource also builds products
that create and integrate into existing web portals: check out our
ConfirMED
product line.
|
