🛠️Integrating New Stores with Old Systems Is a Minefield
Why integrating a new storefront with old systems is a nightmare
TL;DR
Integrating a new storefront with existing systems is a complex task, often leading to unowned seams and unexpected issues. The key is to build the new system first, then integrate.
Integrating a new storefront with existing systems is a complex task, often leading to unowned seams and unexpected issues. The key is to build the new system first, then integrate. This approach prevents massive rework and scope inflation. For example, a new platform's data model might not exist yet, making integration difficult. Sending an analyst to audit the existing systems can help identify unmapped walls and weird behaviors that exist nowhere in the documentation. The Lindy effect suggests that older systems, having survived real-world contact for years, know things the new build doesn't.
Key Points
Integrating a new storefront with existing systems can lead to unowned seams where two systems must agree in real-time.
Each system has an owner, but the handoff between them has no real owner, leading to complex integration challenges.
The Lindy effect suggests that older systems, having survived real-world contact for years, know things the new build doesn't.
Sending an analyst to audit the existing systems can help identify unmapped walls and weird behaviors that exist nowhere in the documentation.
The new platform's data model might not exist yet, making it difficult to design an integration.
Why It Matters
If you're integrating a new storefront with an existing ERP or CRM, this is crucial. The old system's undocumented behaviors and the lack of a clear owner for handoffs can lead to significant rework. Sending an analyst to audit the existing systems can help identify unmapped walls and weird behaviors that exist nowhere in the documentation. The Lindy effect suggests that older systems, having survived real-world contact for years, know things the new build doesn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
If you're integrating a new storefront with an existing ERP or CRM, this is crucial. The old system's undocumented behaviors and the lack of a clear owner for handoffs can lead to significant rework. Sending an analyst to audit the existing systems can help identify unmapped walls and weird behaviors that exist nowhere in the documentation. The Lindy effect suggests that older systems, having survived real-world contact for years, know things the new build doesn't.
What happened?
Integrating a new storefront with existing systems is a complex task, often leading to unowned seams and unexpected issues. The key is to build the new system first, then integrate.
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