It seems today all suppliers, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, and the like have a common theme of being a Master Systems Integrator. In order to understand what they are saying it is important to understand their viewpoint and then determine if their understanding meets your requirement for a Master Systems Integrator.
To me, they are confusing their role as a System Integrator with that of a Master Systems Integrator.
An example of a Systems Integrator for Security Systems means that the ‘Systems Integrator’ is responsible for integrating all security related interfaces, hardware, software and associated physical elements. The Security System integrator makes sure the Access Control System will interface with the CCTV System, Fire Alarm System, Data Network, Doors and Turnstiles, and others depending on the environment. The Supplier or Contractor for the Security System could say he is a Master Systems Integrator, but the more appropriate term would be the Security Systems System Integrator.
Imagine if you were looking for a Master System Integrator for the ERP Systems and you awarded the contract to a Systems Integrator (Security Systems) the problems that would result. This frequently happens in construction today.
I believe that there are many SUB – Systems Integrators available today.
If you are looking for a real Master Systems Integrator you should first determine if you are looking for a SUB – Systems Integrator or a Real Master Systems Integrator.
Assuming you are looking for a Real Master Systems Integrator I would recommend the following selection criteria. The Master Systems Integrator must:
- Have in-depth experience in your business sector
- Understand the business process in your business sector
- Understand the Key Performance Indicators in your business sector
- Ability to discuss and document senior management / stakeholder requirements
- Understand particular technologies / application software / hardware that are unique to your business sector. (In airports we call this Special Airport Systems / SAS)
- Have a breadth of knowledge rather than a depth of knowledge
- Understand the SUB – Master Systems Integration scope of work
- Understand how the SUB – Master Systems Integration support the business sector
- Prepare top down Concepts of Operations that will support the business objectives
- Prepare technology guidelines that support the business objectives
- Prepare Interface Control Documents, Interface Activity Schedules, Verification Cross Reference Matrices’, and the like
- Prepare Standards and Protocol acceptability
- Modify, amend, or replace specifications that do not meet the business objectives
- Prepare Method Statements and other Quality Documents that can demonstrate that the systems meet the business objective with the proper level of resiliency and redundancy.
- Prepare Operational Readiness plans and procedures to familiarize the owner with the systems (both normal and fault conditions)
- Provide Operations and Maintenance Training
How do you know if a company is a Sub-Systems Integrator or a Real Master Systems Integrator?
The answer is quite simple – A real Master Systems Integrator does not provide any products!
If a company provides products – then they are a Sub-Systems Integrator.
Category: Systems Integration