System integration is the process of building the links between two or more applications
to allow data to move reliably from one application to another. The integration can be:
Batch integration: On a scheduled basis all data which has been collected since
the last batch integration event will be processed. Typically this is done hourly.
Event driven integration - fast batch: An example would be an integrated process
that takes a batch of received EDI purchase orders that are automatically loaded into
the order processing application.
Event driven integration - realtime: An example would be an integrated process
that takes each invoice as they are generated and pushes them to the EDI software to
be sent. Real-time integration is significantly more complex and expensive to implement.
System integration provides the foundation for system automation.