Systems Integration: Connecting the Dots
January 30, 2025
Brian Lee, Aaron Krogsgaard
One of the most crucial, but often underestimated, aspects of building powerful technology products is connecting the dots between isolated systems to create a unified whole.
In reality, we rarely have full control over the systems that feed into our products. Whether it’s a third-party payment gateway, a customer database, or an external API, each component comes with its own architecture, constraints, and challenges. That’s where our team at Grassland Ventures comes in.
Imagine each system as a separate puzzle piece. Individually these systems may function well, but the real value comes when we can bring them together seamlessly to reveal the bigger picture.
Our team navigates the complex process of system integration, where we assemble these isolated elements (or puzzle pieces) to build products that are dependable, efficient, and secure.
Systems Integration – What is It and Why Does It Matter?
Systems integration is “something that happens when building backend services… when the service we’re building needs to interact with another service, that would be a systems integration”, says Aaron Krogsgaard, our resident systems integration expert and Technical Project Lead at Grassland Ventures. And as simple as that sounds, the process itself is anything but.
Systems integration is combining multiple software elements into one cohesive product. It’s bringing puzzle pieces together — each piece is functional on its own, but only when they’re connected do they form a seamless, powerful whole.
But systems integration isn’t just about connecting parts — it’s also about creating a smooth flow of information and processes that feel effortless to the user.
How We Make Systems Work Together
While there are a number of ways to connect separate systems, one of the most common methods is through APIs. Positioned between applications and web services, APIs standardize data and functionality exchange to enable seamless communication.
At Grassland Ventures, we’ve become experts at developing enterprise-grade integrations, connecting everything from legacy systems to the latest cutting-edge technologies across a range of projects. Our deep experience allows us to help leading organizations modernize their tech stack without compromising their core systems or functionality, creating critical, seamless connections that keep their workflows running smoothly.
While APIs are the go-to for connecting disparate systems, they’re far from the only option. Here are some other key tools we use:
Enterprise Application Integration (EAI): EAI connects data and workflows across applications to keep information consistent throughout the tech environment. With EAI, when one system updates, all other systems automatically reflect the change, ensuring data is in sync across the organization.
Webhooks: Webhooks allow for real-time communication between systems. Whenever a specific event occurs, a system “pings” another app with instant updates. For example, if you order an item from your favourite online store, a webhook might send order details to a third-party inventory system, which then updates stock levels or processes the shipment automatically.
By leveraging these different approaches, we’re able to create smooth, reliable connections that empower organizations to operate efficiently and make the most of their technology investments.
What We’ve Done: Real-Life Examples of Successful System Integration
While system integration is no easy task, requiring time, skill, and a lot of coordination to bring it all together, it’s worthwhile in the end. Here are some examples of how we’ve helped our partners build cohesive, high-performance systems:
Federated Co-op: It is no secret that savvy digital citizens can recognize the difference between disparate experiences casually weaved together using different white-labeled systems versus those that were thoughtfully designed, integrated, and built from the ground up. That’s why, for the Co-op App, we built an API-driven integration model, moving away from one-off product deployments.
In building the Co-op App, our team worked with various stakeholders to bring separate internal lines of business and membership objectives into one consolidated experience. This digital connectivity of various co-located service and product offerings drives cross-selling and allows FCL to deliver consistent, high-quality mobile experiences, making the interconnections between different platforms as seamless as possible.
This approach gives FCL complete control and flexibility, allowing them to add new digital capabilities as they grow without disrupting the user experience.
HomeTeam Live: HomeTeam Live is a streaming platform that provides broadcast-quality video for amateur sports, enabling viewers to tune in from anywhere.
Developing HomeTeam Live presented unique challenges, from architecting complex backend streaming services to creating a high-end performance interface for users. Our team integrated multiple hardware systems and tapped into AWS for real-time streaming delivery, providing users worldwide with a seamless viewing experience.
By overcoming these challenges, we built a robust, real-time streaming platform that allows sports fans everywhere to experience the excitement of live events, all thanks to a well-orchestrated system integration.
At Grassland Ventures, we take pride in integrating diverse software systems to ensure our partners’ technology works smoothly and efficiently together. If you’re looking for a team dedicated to delivering excellence, improving your business operations, and enhancing your customer experience, we’re here to help.
Want to learn more about how we can support your goals? Reach out to us at hello@grasslandventures.ca.