Integration of Business Systems and Applications in Merger and Alliance: Case Metso Automation

Abstract

The strategy of Metso Corporation and its business units is healthy, profitable growth achieved organically, by acquisitions and by new developments. This strategy means that Metso Automation system architecture will be multiple platforms, multiple sites and multiple applications exchanging information in the global business process. Metso Automation system development is globally coordinated and continues, based on this modular network-centric system structure. Each operative function such as sales (and sales office), manufacturing, product engineering have its own system application. These systems are loosely coupled together with agreed, standardised communication messages like order, invoice and order status. These two company integration cases show that the integration of modular systems can be done in a reasonable timeframe and with limited system technical work, and the main business goal, better service to the customer, can be reached.