Surface data from different business solutions through reports and dashboards before performing application level integration
When starting a new enterprise initiative, consider integrating at the reporting layer, before attempting an integration at the application layer. This will allow the organziation to begin seeing new types of information in combined views, and may lead to process refinement. Having processes stabilized before investing in complex application level integrations help reduce the cost associated with system modifications, and of course, costs associated with sustaining application customizations. There are many times application level integrations are appropriate, but most often, a reporting level integration will provide the most value for an initial investment.