This approach has generally been implemented based on various scenarios, which may be categorized as follows:

• integrating social protection programmes and social services
• integrating health insurance systems;
• collecting the system's financial resources;
• improving the quality of information and services within social security institutions; and,
• implementing international social security agreements.

It is important to note that a single project may often include several of these objectives.

The purpose of this report is to analyse systems and projects in order to identify key characteristics associated with the integration of social security systems. The report is part of the "Information and Communications Technologies (ITC) as enabler of social security policy and programme integration" project of the International Social Security Association, developed by the Technical Commission on Information and Communication Technology over the 2011-2013 period.