Other Systems Integrations
ECM Services Where You Need Them
Enterprise Content Management creates a set of integrated services that can be fully integrated both mutually and “externally” with other IT systems. Most applications support usage of generic application connectors or it is possible to use standard integration interfaces. Therefore, if your system does not offer Document Management, Archiving, Records Management, or other services, usage of a centralized ECM application solutions appears to be the logical step ahead. Integration interface can consist of program API, web standards based interface, or a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) services depending on the needs and possibilities of the particular IT system and infrastructure.
Information content centralization plays the key role in ECM integration with external IT systems. This centralization primarily prevents the contents duplicity and simplifies the content securing and management. Content centralization also offers the potential for sharing such content. With this principle, for example financial documents generated by your ERP system can be centrally archived and made accessible for other IT systems for CRM, production, logistics, etc.
Content centralization and sharing are closely interconnected with the issue of processes. Although complex applications can cover a big group of company processes, it is common that processes pass through multiple IT systems. Centralized content sharing represents the corner stone to support these processes in passage through multiple systems, although it does not address the issue of process cooperation. Simple data sharing among IT systems is not usually sufficient – it is convenient to use the Business Process Management (BPM) ECM services for “information containers” transfer based on the relevant events thus automating the process. Event managed process is native for human behavior and BPM can thus request direct user’s interaction during integration of data containers transfer between IT systems, as well as to open or close process in interaction with users.
Integration of ECM with other IT systems or mutual integration of IT systems through information content and Process Management provides the following benefits:
- simplified enterprise applications management
- interconnection and automation of enterprise-wide processes
- minimization of administrative load and potential errors due to inattention
- possibility of process analysis in time and content
- information security and demonstrability assurance in accordance with the legislation
