What is Integration?

Integration is the combining of parts into the whole.

This requires that all the parts communicate with one another and function as a single unit.

A product is often built from more than one component. These components often come from a number of suppliers. In spite of careful specification, there are usually differences in the interfaces between the components.

For example, in a mobile phone network, the phones must communicate with the base stations, the base stations must communicate with the backbone network and the backbone network must communicate with traditional land lines.

It is unrealistic and risky to assume that all the components will work together as planned, first time. Therefore, a carefully planned process of integration that adds one component at a time, is essential to ensure that all the components function together correctly.

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