System Integration & Control Systems Design


SIs - the channel’s conductors of light

May 2025 System Integration & Control Systems Design

There’s a reason the adage ‘strength in numbers’ still holds true today. In business, we are only as good as the collective experience and expertise of our team members and partners. This is particularly relevant in the channel, which comprises a number of key role players, all ultimately responsible for the successful implementation of IT and OT projects and its resultant solutions.

However, and this a very important point, not all organisations are always completely au fait with the intricacies of the channel and what role is played by whom in this important value chain.

OEMs are the trailblazers

Today’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are innovators in the truest sense, driving the absolute newest in technological advancement. OEMs are responsible for the design and manufacture of high-quality, scalable products that drive efficiency, sustainability and progress across industries.

The investment and commitment of OEMs in R&D; is mindboggling. Moody’s ‘Global Innovation Index 2024: Analysing Global R&D; trends’ notes that corporate R&D; spending across industries reached approximately $1,2 trillion in 2023, with significant contributions from sectors like information and communications technology (ICT).

OEMs are integral to the ‘push and pull’ in the channel and also play an important role in the fruition of high-cost, large-scale projects. They strengthen the projects by offering the necessary guarantees and support to mitigate any potential risk to these substantial financial endeavours.

Furthermore, OEMs provide credibility and global presence, making them ideal partners for organisations that require enterprise-level solutions with long-term viability.


Ben Seliers, vice president, Secure Power, Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric.

System Integrators – a bridge no one do can without

While OEMs develop advanced and often groundbreaking solutions, it is the system integrators (SIs) who bring these innovations to life. Sherlock Holmes famously said to John Watson: “It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light.”

SIs are undoubtedly the channel’s conductors of light, possessing the expertise required to implement, customise and maintain technologies, ensuring seamless integration into existing infrastructures. Their deep understanding of industry-specific requirements and localised knowledge makes them invaluable partners in driving project success.

It also clearly a part of the channel that is growing in leaps and bounds; the global system integration market size was valued at $385,95 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13,8% untill 2030.

Given that OEMs do not typically have sufficient local staff to be present at each and every implementation, SIs serve as the essential link that transforms innovation into practical, operational success.

SIs offer key advantages such as:

• Localised expertise: Their familiarity with regional business environments, regulatory requirements and technical constraints ensures smooth deployment.

• End-to-end implementation: From design and installation to ongoing maintenance, SIs ensure that technology solutions align with business objectives.

• Cost-effective strategies: By leveraging their integration expertise, SIs help businesses optimise costs and maximise ROI.

The right SI partner

SIs undoubtedly play a crucial role in the channel, and our integrator partners have proven invaluable in the successful execution of projects. However, it is also important that businesses do their homework and choose the right company for the job. Businesses should consider the following KPIs when evaluating potential SI partnerships:

• Timely delivery: A proven track record of projects which have been executed within agreed timelines, avoiding costly delays.

• A record of success: A history of successful implementations and satisfied clients demonstrates expertise and reliability.

• Reliable support and backup: Providing ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting services to minimise operational disruptions.

• Customisable solutions: The ability to tailor technology solutions to meet specific business needs.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Metal plant automation upgrade
ABB South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
A combined compressor house (CCH) control system replacement project, undertaken by NJC, an ABB Authorised Value Provider (AVP), has won high praise from client ArcelorMittal.

Read more...
Digital energy – getting the foundation right
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Digital energy holds immense promise, particularly in Africa where the both the provision and use of energy must be managed to the finest of degrees to meet the demands of its growing, urban population and resultant industries.

Read more...
Schneider Electric at AATF
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric will be participating in the 13th edition of the Africa Automation and Technology Fair

Read more...
Why turbomachinery should break free from vendor lock-in
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Today’s modern turbomachinery control systems form an important of operational efficiency, be it in heavy industries, traditional power generation or renewables such as hydroelectric facilities. Independence is the name of the game, and turbomachinery stands to gain lot from this newfound freedom.

Read more...
The evolving landscape of data centres in the age of AI
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
The data centre industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven primarily by the explosive growth of AI. It’s clear that the demands of AI are reshaping the very foundations of data infrastructure. This isn’t merely about incremental upgrades; it’s a fundamental shift in how we design, power and operate these critical facilities.

Read more...
Monitoring partial discharge on medium voltage switchgear
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its EcoStruxure Service Plan (ESP) in the Anglophone African region for medium voltage (MV) switchgear

Read more...
Buildings in Africa’s urban evolution
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Africa is now an urban continent. How does the continent mobilise to accommodate urban dwellers and maintain and implement critical infrastructure that allows for this expansion? Building management systems provide a tangible solution to optimise resource use, lower operations costs and ultimately contribute to a growing continent that also employs green practices.

Read more...
Compact, high density power protection system for AI, data centre and large-scale electrical workloads
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Galaxy VXL – a highly efficient, compact, modular, scalable and redundant 500-1250 kW (400 V) 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS), complete with enhanced cybersecurity, software and safety features.

Read more...
Duct and plant room air quality (PRAQ) sensors
Schneider Electric South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Schneider Electric South Africa offers a comprehensive range of SpaceLogic duct and plant room air quality sensors. These cutting-edge sensors are designed to enhance building air quality and energy efficiency by combining multiple sensing capabilities into a single unit.

Read more...
The sensory reaction of the BMS
Schneider Electric South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems cannot function properly without sensors. Like our senses, they are an integral part of operations that run silently in the background, almost taken for granted.

Read more...