Why wait for a big bang consolidation project to connect teams to the data and content they need?

When companies merge, it can take several years to consolidate IT systems and phase out duplicate, outdated or incompatible applications. And, in the meantime, business must continue as usual, which means that teams (existing, blended, or new) will need timely access to widely dispersed information and documents that pre-date the acquisition, alongside any new data and content.

One relatively painless and inexpensive way to enable this is through a cloud-hosted, subscription-based integration service, which makes it possible to form reliable interconnections and data/content exchange pathways between old and current systems.

Instead of having to log into multiple different systems to gain a clear, up-to-date picture of a current scenario, business users can simply go into their primary application which gives them a view of the connected data and documents they need.

Out-of-the-box connectivity

The key to such a facility is a series of web services/system connectors, and low code as needed, to link to and exchange data with other platforms. At fme, we have ready-to-go connectors to all of the popular content repositories, from OpenText Documentum and SharePoint generically, to CARA and Veeva at a more specialist level (e.g. for Life Sciences Regulatory information or Quality management). This shortens the time to information access considerably.

This easy integration proposition is a great option for any situation where time is ticking on the transitional service agreement. It allows the relevant datasets to be ‘lifted and shifted’ when there just isn’t the bandwidth to engage in large-scale system consolidation or data migration initiatives before the cord is cut with the old set-up.

As long as there is an application programming interface (API), we can build a connector into any retiring system, allowing data and content to be pushed and pulled between this and the new target system(s), whether on a timed schedule or on demand – even without the SaaS option.

Buying your company vital time

One of the main benefits of taking an integration approach as an interim solution to system consolidation/replacement is that it buys a company time before it has to untangle a multitude of systems or put in something new, such an all-singing-all-dancing RIM system. While they are evaluating their best options, they can continue operating at full capacity, knowing that users have access to live and accurate information to support their current tasks.

fme’s integration-center can be deployed in a client’s own cloud environment, or provided as a hosted, subscription-based microservice.

This deployment model, coupled with our deep and extensive expertise in enterprise content management (ECM) system implementations, and our pre-packaged, technology-aware accelerators (connectors), mean we can often get users up and running with a fully connected environment within just a couple of months. (An environment that can be quickly switched off again once any bigger and more permanent project has been deployed.)

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all of the various activities, with the result that companies do not know where to start. fme’s Integration Consultants can provide invaluable advice here, to help teams determine which data they most need to access in the short term and prioritize the content that is really important.  this contact form and we’ll put you in touch with our experts.

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