Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
System-of-systems integration
Also known as: SoS integration
German: Integration eines Systemverbunds
In systems engineering, system-of-systems integration is the process of connecting independently owned and operated systems so that they deliver a joint capability, including the agreement of interfaces, data exchange, responsibilities and joint testing, while each system keeps its independence.
- System integration
In one sentence
System-of-systems integration connects independently owned systems so they deliver a joint capability while each system stays independent.
Example
Connecting a manufacturer's MES with a supplier's logistics platform and a customer's ordering system requires agreed messages, security rules and joint tests across three companies.
How it applies
- Engineering: Interfaces are negotiated rather than designed by one party. Standards (for example OPC UA, ISA-95 based message formats or asset administration shells) reduce the effort for each new partner.
- Change: Constituent systems change on their own schedule. Plan for Version compatibility, deprecation periods and regression tests when a partner updates.
- Testing: Joint testing needs shared test environments or simulators, since production systems of other parties are rarely available for testing.
- Documentation: Document the agreed interfaces, responsibilities, support contacts and escalation paths. Each party documents its own system; a shared integration document ties them together and must be kept current.
System-of-systems integration vs. system integration
Classic System integration happens under one authority that can decide on interfaces and schedules. System-of-systems integration needs agreement between independent parties, which makes governance and interface stability central.