Application integration remains a key challenge for most organizations. The proliferation of highly specialized point solution applications; be they supply chain management, customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, or other niche applications, means a typical enterprise has key data spread across multiple systems. Data synchronization and end-to-end transaction management demand a high level of automated integration between these applications. The large number of integration tools available on the market, as well as the emergence of integration standards such as XML, significantly complicate this task.

OutSourcingIT maintains strong application integration skills. Integration has been a key component of our projects since our inception. We have performed multiple engagements, integrating application components using third party integration tools as well as custom solutions. We made a significant commitment to the XML standard as a mechanism for integration and invested in the development of an integration framework.

The following diagram depicts our integration capabilities:

In order to deliver rapid, high quality and scalable solutions to our clients, we implement solutions using standard integrations whenever possible. Where practical, we implement integrations using best-of-breed third party software. When custom integrations are required, we accelerate the process by using our library of pre-built software components and reusable frameworks. This approach improves quality and reduces implementation time. We maintain expertise with third-party, best-of-breed software that includes products from companies that include BEA, IBM, Microsoft, Netscape, webMethods, Bowstreet, Netegrity, Oracle, TIBCO, Informatica, Hyperion Solutions, Viador, Verity, Entrust, Embarcadero, Informix, Actuate, Sybase, Pervasive, Verity, FedEx.

XML

XML is an emerging standard that we believe holds great promise. OutSourcingIT has long been committed to the XML standard; we were one of the first software services companies to offer integration of XML Standards with traditional applications. We have made significant investment in developing skills in XML and have executed numerous projects using XML.

We have also brought XML based solutions to or clients. In one example, we worked with a financial services client to integrate a number of their existing applications using an Internet-compatible XML Standard. This solution also enabled the client to implement a push model, actively pushing data updates out to client web browsers.

We wrote test scripts and reported bugs for the new XML functionality introduced in the form of stored procedures and T-SQL statement extensions. We also designed and implemented a demo to showcase the use of XML in real world applications.