As e-commerce becomes popular, more managers are looking into the services of systems integrators (SIs) and digital agencies (DAs). The right choice is the difference between a game-changing investment and a waste of money. This is as consequential as selecting between Shopify, SAP Commerce Cloud or others. Below are some of our tips on what to look out for when choosing a systems integrator.

Today’s SIs and DAs

The role of SIs have changed with the needs of clients and distracted customers. According to Pew Research , 8 in 10 Americans shop online with 15% doing so weekly. Around the globe, that number has steadily increased over the past decade and a half. Clients needs more than a technically competent partner, it is vital SIs understands business and how to leverage the capabilities and limits of technology to align with strategy. Those best at this, operate like consultancies, providing and executing solution while providing efficient support services.

Updated approach

When choosing a systems integrator, managers also need to consider, potential disruptive impacts of integrating new technology into a business. For example wasted hours, delays, amongst others things which have a financial implication. Digital agencies like DigiCommerce are better equipped and have significant experience working on complex enterprise level and SME projects . Part of this service is blending in with the corporate culture of clients during projects. Modern managers are increasingly insisting on this.

These firms are usually staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts around the world, responsive to the 24/7 needs of today’s clients. It is also important you engage with an SI who has worked on similar projects and with a similar type of company. Many DigiCommerce clients are with us today because of the adverse effects of the wrong SI or DA. Unfortunately, the larger firms with greater resources tend to lack the attention to detail and flexibility required. Smaller firms also tend to be more creative and less distracted by as many simultaneous projects.

Support Support Support!

When choosing a systems integrator, support services are often overlooked due to cost. However, this is might be an expensive oversight later on. Support services ensure your system is running at the optimal level of performance. They ensure maintenance work, upgrades, and key 3rd party integrations take place when needed. This keeps systems malleable, which inevitably has an impact on sales and revenue. 

However, not all SIs are willing to provide support services to client for resource allocation reasons. Importantly though, businesses must select an SI nimble enough to provide support after the main integration project. Consequently, this benefits the SI as it fosters a better relationship with clients. It also presents up-sell opportunities for 3rd party applications integrated into your e-commerce infrastructure.