Advancing system infrastructure by utilising cloud software offers excellent opportunities to break down operational and data silos for better integrated, more streamlined workflows. In this blog, we dive into Esgaia’s approach to systems integrations, as well as how we foresee this area unfolding over the years to come.
The “what”
In short, system integration can be described as the process that connects various IT systems and applications used by an enterprise so that they work in a coordinated manner, much like putting a puzzle together. It’s a complex building process that connects functions from varying systems to primarily increase workflow efficiency.
The “why”
In an era of digital transformation, there is an increasing demand for software solutions that help enterprises to digitalise and operationalise workflows. Spending on building out an advanced IT infrastructure is therefore becoming an important part of business strategies to realise efficiency gains and for scalability, while enabling cost reductions, both in the short- and long-term.
To ensure deployed technology doesn’t limit and hamper the ability to respond to evolving market practices, integrations help organisations create a tight coupling between applications. In turn, enterprises can create value add by increasing productivity and avoiding suboptimal use of resources.
Implications for responsible investors
In our blog post on Using Data and Cloud-based Infrastructure to Advance Investor Practices, we comment on the growth of the ESG vendor market and how there is an increasing focus on digital infrastructure to handle the oftentimes siloed data sources, whether it’s for research & data management, analytical or reporting purposes.
Increasing complexity of engagement strategies
Managing a growing number of engagement dialogues and underlying datasets can make facilitating the engagement process an arduous task. For example, how do you ensure proper oversight and consistency in practices over time when your team members:
have limited time,
display different knowledge levels, and
log information and interactions in different systems?
The simple answer is you don’t. Unless you have a really structured approach and use system integrations for an effortless workflow.
The “How”
In regards to our software, it functions as a plug-and-play solution, and provides a completely open API for internal and third-party integrations. By automating access to information between systems such as holdings, ESG and voting data, meeting notes, and so forth, the software can be implemented according to your specific needs. See clarifying image below.
Esgaia data management chart
In conclusion
Benefits of engagement process system integrations include:
Simplicity: With user access to a purpose-built architecture, the complexities of siloed data and process management are reduced.
Information access: Real-time access to data reduces admin and information asymmetry, leading to higher quality inputs and outputs.
Efficiency: An integrated approach helps operationalise workstreams so that your team can become more productive and focus on what really matters.
Client implications
Esgaia becomes a part of investors’ system infrastructure. As such, any integration requests are discussed on a client-by-client basis to establish unique preferences.
Please contact us if you want to know more.
//The Esgaia Team