Projects are moving far too slowly. Developers are spending more time putting out fires than actually building anything new. And when it’s time to assign blame, it almost always ends up in the same place: “the integrations.”
Many believe the solution is to switch platforms, but the problem is rarely the technology itself. The real issue is the lack of a comprehensive overview and a standardized method. It’s like trying to organize a messy home by buying new, expensive furniture; without a fundamental system for order, even the finest pieces will soon be drowned in chaos.
To measure and prove the return on investment (ROI) of integration, you must first create order. A modern integration platform isn't a cost—it's an engine for the business. But to prove it, you have to measure the value at every step. Here is how we do it, based on the three-step method we use at Entiros to turn chaos into control.
Step 1: Build the Map and get the Foundation for All Measurability
You can't streamline what you can't see.
All too often, the integration landscape is full of “black boxes” and undocumented dependencies. Trying to calculate ROI in such an environment is impossible. Therefore, the first step is always to create a shared, visual map of all systems, flows, and dependencies.
This is where our SaaS tool, Starlify, comes in. With Starlify, we create a living, clickable map that becomes your single source of truth—instead of a static document that quickly becomes a "shelf warmer".
ROI you can measure directly from Step 1:
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Reduced troubleshooting time: When an error occurs, everyone can see exactly where the chain is broken. Instead of spending hours hunting through old email threads, troubleshooting time is dramatically reduced.
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Lower costs through decommissioning: The map immediately reveals redundant "shadow IT" and systems that can be shut down, leading to direct savings on licenses and maintenance.
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Better investment decisions: With a clear picture, you can make fact-based decisions about where to invest for maximum impact, rather than guessing.
Step 2: Establish the Rules of the Game – From Craftsmanship to Predictable Quality
The same problem should not be solved in ten different ways...
When every integration is built as a unique piece of "craftsmanship" by individuals, it creates enormous technical debt. The quality varies, maintenance becomes a nightmare, and the entire organization becomes dependent on a few key people.
The solution is to establish a common method. Our method, Certified Integrator, is a gold standard that ensures every integration is built to be secure, scalable, and reusable. We guarantee that technology actually supports the business by connecting it to clear Business and System Information Requirements (BIRs and SIRs).
ROI you can measure directly from Step 2:
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Reduced development time through reuse: When everyone follows the same method, every API and integration is built as a reusable asset. This is one of the largest sources of ROI, drastically reducing time-to-market.
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Lower maintenance costs: Consistent solutions are simpler and cheaper to maintain and manage over time, as you don’t have to "reinvent the wheel" every single time.
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Faster onboarding: New team members can become productive immediately when there is a clear method to follow, rather than spending weeks trying to understand custom-built solutions.
Step 3: Unleash AI – Accelerate Your Return with Intelligence
If you feed the AI chaos, you'll only get errors faster.
Throwing AI into an unstructured environment too early only leads to disappointment. But once the map is in place (Starlify) and the rules of the game are set (Certified Integrator), AI can become an incredible accelerator.
This is where our AI assistant, Ingo, comes in. Ingo is trained in our methodology and acts as a methodical colleague who strengthens your team’s capacity. Ingo can transform business requirements (BIR/SIR) into finished code, documentation, and test cases in seconds. Ingo can also perform "reverse engineering"—looking at old, undocumented systems to recreate their requirements and logic.
ROI you can measure directly from Step 3:
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Dramatically shorter time-to-market: By automating code generation and testing, lead times are cut from months to days.
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Maximized quality and fewer errors: Because Ingo always follows your common standard, human error is minimized, and every delivery maintains the same high quality.
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Unlocked value from legacy systems: Through reverse engineering, you can finally gain control over critical "black boxes," which reduces risk and enables modernization.
Next Step
Calculating the true value of integration is about working methodically: Map. Standardize. Automate.
Curious about how this would work in practice for you? The best way to find out is to try it on a small scale. We refer to it as a Proof of Concept (POC). Let's work together to select a business-critical flow and demonstrate the difference our 3-step model can make, both in terms of immediate clarity and measurable value.
Contact us to schedule a meeting, and let's explore how a POC can create the biggest impact for you.
