Systems Integration
Integration occurs when the subsystems are joined together by uniting the interfaces so they may be controlled more efficiently through one encompassing interface. One of the most important aspects of system integration is the value added to the system after the subsystems are successfully brought together. In order for integration to be worth the time, energy and money spent on it combining the various components, the end result should be a system that works together quickly and seamlessly. The individual functions of the different subsystems should become secondary to the larger purpose of the system. Systems integration can be applied to computer networks,
automation systems, robotics and more. It is a broad field that is constantly developing because the technology used keeps changing and advancing; engineers and specialists need to constantly adapt to new situations, problems and solutions. Systems integrations often involve
CNC manufacturing equipment and systems design, controls design, computer aided design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), equipment installation, in-house prototyping, in-house production runs, process development, on-site support, on-site training, turnkey systems, process development and tooling design.
Systems integration can be used in many scenarios. For businesses as a whole, there are three main kinds of systems integration that are mostly conceptual and not typically employed in factories or manufacturing plants. The first is called vertical integration and is mainly used with production and manufacturing businesses. It is the process of integrating subsystems according to the function of each component and then bundling them into "silos." Star or spaghetti integration occurs when each subsystem is connected to the others, creating a web-like system. Horizontal integration or enterprise service bus is a method where one subsystem specializes in providing communication to the other subsystems. All interfaces connect to the ESB, the service bus, where they are gathered and translated. In terms of automation,
production and other physical systems, there is practically no end of the different ways that various equipment and machinery can be integrated into one system. Much of it is determined by the kind of processes performed at the facility. If it is a metal parts manufacturing facility, it may have equipment like rollers, stamps, dies, press brakes, milling machines, grinders, benders, sand blasting and more. In this case, systems integration would refer to
machine automation where the individual pieces of equipment would be modified and programmed to operate as a single unit controlled by one interface instead of separate steps in a process.
