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Integration

Plain English

Making work together.

Definition

Integration is the of connecting different , tools, or to work together.

In practice

Used to link , APIs, and for seamless operation.

In context

It is where timelines slip. Two that each work perfectly still have to agree on what a customer record is, and that conversation is rarely on the plan.

The reality

Integrations often break, require maintenance, and introduce complexity.

Compared with

Integration vs API

An API is the defined a exposes. Integration is the work of connecting systems through it: mapping fields, handling failures, reconciling differences. The API is the doorway; the integration is the move.

FAQ

Common questions

A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.

What is integration?

It is connecting so they can work together.

Why is integration important?

It enables flow and collaboration.

What are examples of integration?

APIs, webhooks, and third-party connections.

What challenges do integrations face?

, maintenance, and compatibility.

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Previous feedback

I had a fantastic experience working with Andy. One of his most impressive achievements during our time at NHS HEE was masterminding a deeply complex information architecture for a new platform that brought together a large number of legacy websites.

Will Parkhouse

Senior Content Designer