The Evolving Role of the MSI

Has the role of Master Systems Integrator kept pace with today's increasingly complex built environment?

The MSI emerged because assets were becoming too complex for one contractor or one discipline to manage. Someone had to make all the systems work together.

That was the right answer then.

But systems today are expected to deliver far more than just control and management.

Today, owners don't just want integrated systems. They want trusted information.

AI. Digital twins. Cybersecurity. Enterprise integration. Better decisions. Better outcomes.

So maybe it's time to ask a different question.

Are we still focused on integrating systems? Or should we also focus on managing the information and data those systems create?

Because integration alone doesn't answer questions like,

• What information does the business actually need?

• Who owns it?

• Can we trust it?

• Is it structured and governed for AI?

• Does it support better operational decisions?

These aren't just systems integration questions.

They're information and data management questions too.

So, has the role of the MSI evolved beyond systems integration to also encompass information and data management?

Thoughts?