The following companies manufacture, sell, and support computer systems based on Intel® technology. If you are experiencing issues with, or have questions about, your computer system, the system manufacturer is the best source of support. Check the manufacturer's support website for updated system BIOS, drivers, and solutions to common problems. A systems integrator (or system integrator) is a person or company that specializes in bringing together component subsystems into a whole and ensuring that those subsystems function together, a practice known as system integration. They also solve problems of automation. Consulting firm Deloitte developed a 20-question workplace personality test that identified four types of personalities: pioneer, driver, integrator, and guardian. While people can sometimes embody all four types depending on the situation, the survey found that most people draw from one or two. Your personality says a lot about the type of worker you are. Whether you’re right-brained or left-brained, extroverted or introverted, your personality can determine your workplace relationships, how you advance your career, and even what kind of job you have. Deloitte developed a 20-question workplace personality test that identified four types of personalities: pioneer, driver, integrator.
A systems integrator (or system integrator)[1][2][3] is a person or company that specializes in bringing together component subsystems into a whole and ensuring that those subsystems function together,[2][4] a practice known as system integration. They also solve problems of automation.[1] Systems integrators may work in many fields but the term is generally used in the information technology (IT) field such as computer networking, the defense industry, the mass media, enterprise application integration, business process management or manual computer programming.[5]Data quality issues are an important part of the work of systems integrators.[3]
Required skills[edit]
A system integration engineer needs a broad range of skills and is likely to be defined by a breadth of knowledge rather than a depth of knowledge. These skills are likely to include software, systems and enterprise architecture, software and hardware engineering, interface protocols, and general problem solving skills. It is likely that the problems to be solved have not been solved before except in the broadest sense. They are likely to include new and challenging problems with an input from a broad range of engineers where the system integration engineer 'pulls it all together.'[6]
Performance technology integration[edit]
Systems integrators generally have to be good at matching clients needs with existing products. An inductive reasoning aptitude is useful for quickly understanding how to operate a system or a GUI. A systems integrator will tend to benefit from being a generalist, knowing a lot about a large number of products. Systems integration includes a substantial amount of diagnostic and troubleshooting work. The ability to research existing products and software components is also helpful. Creation of these information systems may include designing or building customized prototypes or concepts.
In the defense industry[edit]
In the defense industry, the job of 'Systems Integration' engineer is growing in importance as defense systems become more 'connected'. As well as integrating new systems, the task of integrating current systems is attracting a lot of research and effort. It is only in recent years that systems have started to be deployed that can interconnect with each other; most systems were designed as 'stovepipe' designs with no thought to future connectivity.
The current problem is how to harness all the information available, from the various information generators (or sensors) into one complete picture.
As well as the design of the actual interfaces much effort is being put into presenting the information in a useful manner. The level of information, needed by the different levels in the military structure, and the relevance of the information (information can become outdated in seconds) is so variable that it may be necessary to have more than one system connected.
Another problem is how information is networked. The Internet may seem to be an obvious solution, but it is vulnerable to denial of service and physical destruction of the key 'hubs'. One answer is to use a dedicated military communication system, but the bandwidth needed would be astronomical in such a system.[citation needed]
Army Warrant Officer (United States) military occupational specialty (MOS) 140A - Command and Control Systems Technician is an example of a systems integrator in the defense industry.140A Warrant Officers assigned to Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) integrate systems with multiple operating systems (OS) and hardware configurations – that include: UNIX, Linux & Microsoft WindowsOthers can fill a similar role at the Division level and higher.
Control Systems Integrators
In Entertainment and architectural controls[edit]
In entertainment and architectural installations, systems integrators function as a designer/engineer, bringing together a wide array of components from various manufacturers to accomplish the goal of creating a unified, functioning system that meets the needs of the client. Systems Integrators are usually involved in the selection of instruments and control components from among various OEMs to determine the specific mix of output, function, interconnection, program storage, controls, and user interfaces required for specific projects. The integrator is generally responsible for generating the control riser, collaborating with the lighting consultant/ AV consultant on the function programming, and will commission the system once installed. Often (but not always) the system integrator will also be the vendor for projects they are commissioning, and will collaborate with the lighting designer on the artistic design. As lighting and A/V systems increase in their level of sophistication, and the number of manufacturers for components of these systems increases, so does the demand for systems integrators.
Common data protocols involved in entertainment and architectural systems are Digital Multiplexing (or DMX512-A), Remote Device Management (or RDM), Art-Net, ACN or sACN (Streaming Architecture for Control Networks), Analog, and various proprietary control software from a variety of manufacturers. Systems Integrators design many distributed nodes in traditional star or ring topologies, or customize system layout for specific installations. The network will have a hierarchy of main and sub-control stations with varying degrees of access. The network can be designed such that the controls for this system can be on an established timeline, or controlled in real time by astronomical clocks, audio/motion/IR sensors, or various means of user interface (buttons, touch-pads, consoles). This system might utilize a primary controller that can access the entire system, and satellite control interfaces linked via a network backbone that would determine functionality based on access codes. For example, a casino might use a networked system that interfaces with architectural lighting, stage lighting, special effects (such as fog machines or fountains), and media content routed to a media server. The primary controller would have access to all devices on the network, while individual control stations could have varying levels of functionality. A ballroom might have a multi-button panel that would adjust lighting only in that ballroom, while a cabaret space with a stage would require an access code that would give employees access to the stage lighting, while the IT manager could use the same panel to access the main controls for the networks.
In the automation industry[edit]
System Integrators in the automation industry typically provide the product and application experience in implementing complex automation solutions. Often, System Integrators are aligned with automation vendors, joining their various System Integrator programs for access to development products, resources and technical support. System integrators are tightly linked to their accounts and often are viewed as the engineering departments for small manufacturers, handling their automation system installation, commissioning, long term maintenance and security.[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abHow to Work with a System Integrator
- ^ abWhat Does It Mean To Be A System Integrator
- ^ abFix Data: How System Integrators Can Ensure Project Success
- ^Definition of: systems integrator From PC World
- ^Moore, June (13 December 1982), 'Software Reviews, BusinessMaster II+, ledger for CP/M systems', InfoWorld, InfoWorld Media Group, Inc, p. 31, ISSN0199-6649
- ^An Introduction to School of Information Engineering, Information Engineering Program, Beijing: Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
- ^'What Are Security Systems Integrators and How Can They Secure Your Business for Success?'. IST.
by: Robert Lowe, Executive Director, Control System Integrators Association
An overview of the benefits that system integration can offer to industrial end-user clients
In today’s day and age, when companies want to stay ahead of the game they need all their systems to work synchronously. Systems that are not integrated result in significant increases in cost and resource consumption. Read on to find out reasons stated by the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), a not-for-profit, global trade association that seeks to advance the industry of control system integration...
Defining systems integration in an industrial setting is the first step in explaining its importance. Industrial system integrators typically are independent entities that use technical and project management activities to integrate commercially available hardware and software from multiple suppliers into a solution for an end-user client. System integrators’ technical expertise commonly includes electrical design, engineering, programming, testing, commissioning and ongoing support. System integration entities may be standalone companies or business units within an equipment supplier or distributor. What they have in common is that they provide control, automation and information solutions for manufacturing and industrial processes.
Having defined system integration, let’s address the purpose of this article – describing the importance of system integration. Here are 10 reasons why system integration is important to industrial end-user clients.
Saving the end-user client personnel costs
By using independent system integrators, industrial clients save the cost of hiring, personnel evaluation, continuous education, time to stay current on technology, and so forth. Additionally, it is difficult for a non-system integration company to select the right people, and bad hires are an expensive mistake. However, it is advisable to have a small internal staff to manage projects that are contracted to system integrators. The size of that staff depends on the magnitude of projects that are performed.
For example, there are many industry standards that apply to automation and information systems that an end-user client may find challenging. Examples are ISA99 on cyber security, ISA100 on wireless communications and ISA101 on humanmachine interface devices. Does an enduser client really want to invest in their own staff learning and implementing these standards? A system integrator makes the educational investment. Then, that cost is amortized over many clients and projects, to the benefit of all.
Improving the quality and reliability of the integration project
No one person or company knows everything. The system integrator often brings to the table an understanding of mechanical, process and business intelligence issues and knows how to integrate those disciplines into a working system. That’s why our industry is called system integration – we integrate!
A common mistake in manufacturing and process industries is that managers wait until later in the project development to contract a system integrator, thinking they have little to offer upfront, yet that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s best when system integrators are involved in the earliest planning stages so they can contribute their knowledge and expertise and save costs and improve outcomes.
Accountability for time and resources
System integrators must remain on budget to maintain a sustainable business. Whether contracts are fixed or variable, costs, labor and materials must be managed based on the upfront plan and contract. In short, system integrators are accountable for time and resources. Contracts always have definitions of scope of supply of services and products and also an associated cost structure. The system integrator, for internal purposes and for client relations, must honor the agreement.
When a project is implemented by internal project staff, that accountability is often minimized. An attitude of ‘it’ll take as long as it takes’ can exist, so budgets and schedules sometimes suffer.
Knowing and applying current industry standards in safety, environmental and modern technology
Examples of these standards are networks, cyber security and interoperability of equipment. End-user clients can rely on system integrators to get updates on topics such as machine safety, process safety, international programming standards, networks for intelligent instrumentation, network standards to prevent cyber attacks and so on. Granted, there are some standards and regulations on which it’s best for the end-user clients to remain current, typically ones that pertain specifically to their industry. However, it’s incumbent on the system integrator to be knowledgeable about the majority of standards.
Bringing innovation and experience from working across industries
A large majority of system integrators work in multiple vertical industries. Examples would be consumer products and food and beverage. An integrator may gain experience in an application such as batch processing, material handling and packaging in the production of hand cream. Then in another project involving the production of chocolate syrup, the production efficiencies and improvements in quality realized in the hand cream application will transfer to chocolate syrup.
Their inherent exposure to different industries results in a breadth of knowledge that can’t be learnt at a show, through training or from a magazine. It comes from doing projects. System integrators learn to recognize when the experience gained in one application and industry can be applied in another. This capacity allows system integrators to bring innovative solutions to resolve an end-user client’s challenges.
Having the right skill set for project management and execution
Project management and execution skills are very different skill sets. A good system integrator has both. An indication of the importance of these skills to the success of a project is that three of the nine sections of the CSIA Business Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual focus on project management and execution. Those skills are included in a good system integration company’s best practices and make the difference in project SPECIAL success or failure.
Knowing how to manage project risks
Risk is the most significant enemy of a system integrator, so it is taken seriously. Recognizing project risks comes with experience and is a natural process for integrators. Risk management begins at the planning phase of a project and emphasizes once again what was mentioned in the second reason above, namely the importance of a system integrator being involved in the early stages of a project. It stands to reason that good risk management is in the best interest of the end-user clients even though a client-integrator risk discussion can be uncomfortable.
Providing proper documentation for future reference
It’s common for internal staff to move onto the next project and not properly provide drawings, software code and operations manuals. The staff often has good intentions of doing the documentation but it just gets pushed to the background with hopes of doing it later, but later never comes. Since final documentation is typically included in the contracted scope of supply for the system integrator, the integrator is held accountable for providing it and the end-user client can be assured of getting it. Proper documentation is important for maintenance, support and scalability.
Choosing the best hardware and software for an application
Knowing what products are available for an automation solution is important. And knowing which ones are the best solutions is equally important. Independent system integrators are not tethered to any one automation supplier, so they act in the best interest of the end-user client when making selections. And as system integrators they know how to integrate – how to make best-in-class products from multiple suppliers work in tandem.
Some product suppliers also do system integration work but they are biased towards their own products. Therefore, even if those products are not the best solution and don’t deliver the highest value, they are used anyway. Thereby, the full potential of a project will not be recognized.
Providing expert technical staff on demand
End-user clients sometimes have a temporary need for additional staff to assist internal staff when there are too many concurrent projects. Most system integrators can provide engineers, designers, programmers and so forth during those busy periods. Coming from a system integration company, the personnel are effective immediately after safety orientation. When the project load diminishes, they simply return the integrator. There are personnel staffing companies but those from system integrators are inherently more efficient plus equally capable backup is available, if necessary.
Are all system integrators created equal? No. As in all industries, some companies are better than others. So how does an end-user client differentiate a good system integrator from a not-so-good one? System integrators who become certified by the Control System Integrators Association have demonstrated through an independent audit, conducted every three years, that they uphold the CSIA’s best practices for management.
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System Integrators List
Integrating your ERP, CRM, other software products, is extremely important in business today. Simacor can help get you to the next level. Contact Max at 763-544-4415 x 15 or mb@simacor.com.