在当今的商业环境中，较小的制造商要么增加间接劳动力，要么自动化信息收集活动以保持竞争力。系统集成解决了为业务选择适当信息技术的问题。本文描述了一种小型制造商可以用来保持竞争力的系统集成方法。

IN TODAY'S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, THE SMALLER MANUFACTURER EITHER INCREASES INDIRECT LABOR FORCE OR AUTOMATES INFORMATION GATHERING ACTIVITIES TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE. SYSTEMS INTEGRATION ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BUSINESS. THIS PAPER DESCRIBES AN APPROACH TO SYSTEMS INTEGRATION THAT THE SMALLER MANUFACTURER CAN USE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.