Example of integration of an existing information system
Customer
Technologies
Requirement
Customer has one or more separate information systems (databases) which do not communicate with one another and whose user interface is out-of-date. Customer wants to see and edit all data in one place; also he requires intuitive control and minimal expenses on training users.
Basic requirements on application are:
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Integration of existing information systems
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Easy to use and user friendly environment
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Integration into Microsoft office interface
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Easy and effective access to already existing data
Solution
The key element of the solution is to secure data flows between existing systems and the new application. All data are then virtually accessible on one spot and their relations can be defined.
A Smart Client type of application based on Microsoft Office Add-in technology is used for displaying newly reorganized data. This application adjusts current user interface of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint) to the needs of the new application. Therefore user can use the new software in an already known environment.
Microsoft SQL Reporting Services technology is used for effective display of data. This technology allows detailed analysis of data including data from existing information systems.
Example of implementation
Customer already operates an existing CRM system, accounting and Microsoft Exchange e-mail server. These systems are separated and it is, for example, impossible to load addresses from Clients database (CRM application) for issuing invoices (accounting application) or to automatically save incoming emails (Microsoft Exchange) to client (CRM application). Also CRM web application has no web interface so that external co-workers can not access clients’ contacts.
The solution is implementation of a data-mining application on Microsoft SQL Server. This application, on the basis of defined data relations, extracts data from existing systems, creates relations between them and prepares them for unitary presentation.
These data are then automatically displayed in Microsoft Outlook. A new subfolder was added in Contacts folder where all contacts from CRM application are stored. After clicking on “Invoice” button, which is located in Contact’s toolbar, it is possible to display all issued invoices to current contact. Another button “Emails” will display a list of all emails which were sent to current contact or which the current contact sent to the company.
Synchronization with a mobile device enables that the list of clients is always available to user on his PocketPC. Users have the data at hand no matter where they are.
So if there is any other application you want to have integrated in another system, contact us right away.
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