What it means
An integration is the code or configuration that makes two systems work together. It reads data from one system's API and sends it to another, on a schedule or when something happens. A good integration also handles the unglamorous parts: retries when a system is down, logging, alerts and matching records that do not line up exactly.
Some integrations can be built with tools such as Zapier or Make. Others need custom code, especially when volumes are high, logic is complex or data must be checked carefully.
Why it matters for a business
Most businesses run on several systems that do not talk to each other, so people copy data by hand. Integrations remove that copying, reduce errors and make information available where it is needed, when it is needed.
A business example
Things to watch
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Plan for failures: retries, alerts and a way to replay missed data.
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Decide which system is the source of truth for each field.
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Document the integration so someone else can maintain it.