SYSTEM INTEGRATION -- Process Ins and Outs

While practicality is a factor, deLoach believes establishing close ties to an integrated vendor can be a sound financial decision. He and his team have considered the argument that such an arrangement can lead to paying a premium for products and possibly not getting the best-of-breed solution.

"In some cases there may be an equal product out there at a cheaper price, or maybe even a superior technology, but I take a broader perspective," the company president explains. "You can waste a lot of time and resources trying to put pieces together, and we just don't have the people to spare. Also, developments are moving too quickly to waste any time. The life of a technology now is down around 24 months, so you can't afford to spend a lot of time getting it up and running properly."