ABSTRACT
The systems integration industry is large and diverse. As a $10 billion industry, a growing number of companies and sole practitioners are entering the integration arena. This chapter explores the systems integration industry and identifies and categorizes some of the key providers of systems integration services. It categorizes integration providers into five types: Big Six accounting and consulting firms, global integrators, proprietary integrators/vendors, contractors, and Blue Chip firms. The Big Six accounting and consulting firms are Andersen Consulting, Coopers & Lybrand, Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, KPMG Peat Marwick, and Price Waterhouse. Global integrators represent a new and emerging class of system integrators. Proprietary integrators represent a component of the systems integration industry that are captives of or directly aligned with a vendor of hardware and software. Blue Chip integrator is well known for its boardroom presence and savvy and less known for systems integration.
