Systems integrators generally have to be good at matching customers’ needs with existing products. An inductive reasoning aptitude is useful for quickly understanding how to operate a system. A systems integrator will tend to benefit from being a generalist, knowing a little bit about a large number of products. Systems integration includes a substantial amount of diagnostic and troubleshooting work with the ability to research existing products and software components. System Integrators in the automation industry typically provide the product and application experience in implementing complex automation solutions. Often, System Integrators are aligned with automation vendors joining various products, resources and technical support. System integrators are tightly linked to their accounts and often are viewed as the engineering departments for small manufacturers, handling their automation system installation, commissioning and long term maintenance.

Robotic & automation system integrators are essentially contract engineering firms that can design and implement automated production facilities for end users lacking the resources to do the job themselves. System integrators bring specialized engineering skills to automation projects and can supplement the end user's often-understaffed engineering department. Moreover, a system integrator is an organization or individual that is responsible for specifying, installing, designing and maintaining the automation functionality. Responsibility includes providing a solid, stable platform or system to build upon, rather than simply adding different products and components together in a piece-meal fashion. A true systems integrator can provide a single turn-key solution that provides strategies that can be implemented to reduce operating costs, increase productivity, prolong asset life, and increase occupant safety and satisfaction