Compiled ByTonya Vinas A recent survey by consulting and systems integration firm NerveWire Inc., Newton, Mass., shows a correlation between integration with external partners and positive business impact. However, a small number of surveyed companies consider themselves to be highly integrated. The study was conducted between January and March 2002 by IntelliVen and queried 162 IT and other "business professionals" working in a broad range of North American industries. Half of the firms had revenues in excess of $250 million. According to NerveWire, the study shows:
- The most tightly integrated companies generated an average 40% increase in revenues, 30% reduction in costs and 35% increase in customer retention rates via their integration efforts.
- Only 14% of companies surveyed consider themselves tightly integrated with trading partners in new-product development, manufacturing/operations, customer acquisition and retention and order fulfillment/service delivery.